Documents Needed for Air Travel in the U.S

The documentation needed for air travel in the United States depends on whether the passenger is traveling to, from or within the country. Documents are needed for every type of flight, and some flights require additional documents. Some documents can substitute for others.

Boarding Pass

All airports require that passengers have their airline boarding pass to enter an airport terminal. The ticket must be ready to be presented to airport security.

Photo I.D.

A photo identification, like a state-issued driver's license, must also be presented to airport security at the terminal gate. The I.D. and boarding pass are both needed for any United States air travel.

Passport

A nationally issued passport is required for entry into the United States by air. United States citizens, even children, must present a U.S. issued passport.

Military I.D.

Military identification can be substituted for a passport when presented with travel orders from the service member's military branch. This can also include a Coast Guard-issued Merchant Mariner Document (formerly known as the Z-card).

NEXUS Card

A NEXUS card can be used in place of a passport for U.S. citizens. This card is issued by the NEXUS program, a joint venture between the American and Canadian customs agencies,

Article Written By Chris Moore

Chris Moore has been contributing to eHow since 2007 and is a member of the DFW Writers' Workshop. He received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Texas-Arlington.

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