I forgot to bring my ID to the airport — here’s how I was still able to fly
It's the moment every traveler dreads: You've booked the trip, traveled to the airport — and realize you forgot your ID.
That's exactly what happened to me on a recent trip. Without TSA PreCheck or Clear, and with my departure time looming, I assumed I might have to cancel my travel plans.
Here's how I was still able to fly, and what to know if you forget your ID on an upcoming trip.
Related: The best ways to get through TSA lines smoothly
You may still be able to fly without an ID — but expect extra screening
Many travelers assume that forgetting an ID automatically cancels their trip, but that isn't always the case. In reality, the Transportation Security Administration does allow passengers to fly without a physical ID — though it's not guaranteed and comes with additional screening.
In my case, while I didn't have my driver's license or passport with me, I did have photos of both saved on my phone. While digital copies don't replace a physical ID, they can help support the identity-verification process and give the TSA a starting point.
From there, I was directed to additional screening.
How the TSA verifies your identity without a physical ID
After realizing I'd forgotten my ID while standing in the check-in area, I proceeded — at the suggestion of an airport employee — to security and explained the situation to a TSA agent.
I was then escorted to a separate area, where a TSA officer contacted a secure TSA call center and asked me a series of personal questions designed to verify my identity. These included details like previous addresses, jobs I'd held and cars I'd owned — information that only I would reasonably know.
They weren't trick questions, but they were specific enough to confirm I was who I said I was. After a few minutes of back-and-forth, my identity was verified, and I was allowed to continue through security.
Because I didn't have my ID, I didn't just rejoin the normal security line. My carry-on items were searched more thoroughly than usual, and I went through enhanced screening. The process took about 30 extra minutes, but during busy travel periods, it could take even longer.
Just another reason arriving early is crucial, and just one more reason I can't fully subscribe to airport theory.
Related: TSA PreCheck Touchless ID expanding to 50 new airports
What to know about return flights without an ID
Before relying on this process for a return flight, there's an important limitation to be aware of.
During screening, the TSA officer asked whether my flight was one-way or if I had a layover. I explained that my flight was direct and that I'd be returning home about 10 days later. He then told me that the TSA only allows passengers to go through identity verification a limited number of times within a 72-hour period.
That means if you're taking a short trip and won't be able to retrieve your ID before your return flight, relying on this process again may not be an option. In that situation, it may be worth delaying your trip briefly or going back to retrieve your ID before flying — even if it's inconvenient.
Tips to avoid this situation in the future
- Enroll in TSA PreCheck or Clear. While they don't replace an ID, they can reduce time spent in security lines, which is especially helpful if you need extra assistance or screening.
- Double-check your ID before leaving home. A quick check can save a lot of anxiety.
- Keep a secure digital backup. A photo or an app-based ID copy can help if you ever forget the physical card.
- Give yourself extra time. If you arrive late, the process could prevent you from making your flight.
Bottom line
If you arrive at the airport and realize you forgot your ID, don't panic — not all is lost. The TSA has procedures to verify your identity, and you may still make your flight, as I did. That said, this isn't something to gamble on. Next time, my ID will be triple-checked, and PreCheck enrollment will be at the top of my to-do list.
Because while it's reassuring to know there's a backup plan, it's always better to actually have your ID in your pocket.
Related: 12 unusual forms of identification that will get you through airport security