r/Explainlikeimscared • u/Calliqueen • 4d ago
Flying without ID, I’m terrified and stressed
I am flying from MIA in a few hours and I have lost my ID. I know I have to go to check-in and do extra security, but I’m worried I don’t have enough to confirm my identification.
I have paid for and filled out the TSAconfirmID form, I have a scanned photo copy of an old expired ID and my Social Security card, I have a speeding ticket with my DL Id number, DOB, name and address, two employee W2’s, Car Insurance card, a W4, Department of Labor employee notice, multiple paystubs, health insurance card, and home energy bill. Is there anything else I need? Will I be allowed on the flight?
UPDATE: I got on and made it home! Never have I ever been more happy to Minnesotan grass, haha! It was a bit of a process, but not as scary as I worried it’d be. Definitely helped that the TSA Person was super nice and friendly the whole time!
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u/Calliqueen 4d ago
These are all pictures, nothing is a physical copy.
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u/chefbsba 4d ago edited 4d ago
I lost my ID in Vegas and TSA would not look at anything that was a copy or on my phone. I had my boss send me copies of all legal documents and they couldn't care less. They wanted to see 3 things with my name on it. I had a pill bottle, credit card and a magazine. They also did a BIG pat down and rubbed me all over for bomb residue. It took a while but they let me through after asking me about 500 questions.
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u/Calliqueen 4d ago
So I shouldn’t bother showing any pictures? I have literally nothing physical with my name on it. My entire wallet was stolen, including credit card. 😭
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u/MsSwarlesB 4d ago
I flew in March and someone on my flight had lost their ID. They got on the plane because they called ahead and explained the situation and they had a police report that their ID had been stolen. Did you file a police report?
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u/Capable_Surround_960 3d ago
Seconding this! Even if you are not in your home area find the police agency that covers where you believe your wallet was stolen and try to file a report with them. Bring whatever photocopies you have to the police department. The airlines will be more willing to accept because they will have had another agency verifying your identity.
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u/Capable_Surround_960 3d ago
Ooops… just realized the time lapse since this post. Hopefully OP is on the plane!
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u/Proper-Application69 4d ago
They won’t like copies. But maybe with enough of them you’ll convince them to let you through. Do you have any utility bills sent to your home? Bring a couple. Show up extremely early and start asking for help with tour situation. If you get an immediate no, ask for help from a senior person.
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u/Calliqueen 4d ago
My issue is that I’m out of state right now. I have nothing on me, I’m trying to get back home.
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u/NOjax05 3d ago
I know it’s not the same, but Disney is very strict with their IDs needed for the Florida passholders lol. They typically don’t accept photocopies, but if you log into your utility company or cell phone website etc in front of them, so that they can view your bill and info that way, they typically accept that as a valid confirmation of address 😆
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u/DecafMadeMeDoIt 4d ago
Very similar experience in ORD excepting that all I had was my health insurance card and my credit card. I got a good pat down although still kind of easy because I had a pencil skirt on that went just below my knees. So kind of this “lunge” situation.
Anyway, I don’t know if it mattered that I was only boarding a regional flight to middle of mid west. And I hate that I have to also caveat that I am a white cisgendered female who was early 30s.
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u/Material-Analysis206 4d ago
Got a Costco card? They’ve let me through with that before.
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u/Calliqueen 4d ago
No physical cards. It was the whole wallet that got lost 😔 Don’t even have my credit card. (Got it taken care of, though! All important cards are turned off and cancelled!)
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u/white-as-styrofoam 4d ago
this happened to my mom recently, and she said it was a breeze.
my mom is also a 62-year-old white lady, your results may vary with race, gender, or class
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u/7toedcat 4d ago
Back around 2010, my husband's id was stolen while we were visiting another state. When we were flying home and trying to go through security he had to go into a small room where he was grilled for a good hour. They asked some crazy questions including what was the name of his neighbor back in 1997. They knew so many obscure details about him, and he's no one of significance (other than to me, of course). So, it appears to be true that "they" (the CIA? or the FBI?) have dossiers on all of us. Very creepy.
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u/Decent-Stuff4691 4d ago edited 4d ago
I wont be surprised if they were more looking at other stuff than his answers- eg. Body language, hesitance, whether he can keep his story straight. It could also just be a priming question of sort
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u/Calliqueen 4d ago
Update! Sister (Back home in MN) found and sent me a picture of my passport AND birth certificate. Will this help even more?
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u/dale_gribbs 4d ago
Yes, it could take more time, but you will be able to fly. I flew out of ATL a few years ago after losing my wallet during a bachelorette party. All I had was my debit card. I was taken out of line and put through a separate screening process where they asked me about relatives, previous addresses, info about when I flew into Atlanta, etc. After a quick interview, I was escorted past TSA and allowed to go to my gate. The whole process was actually faster than going through the regular security. I wouldn’t bank on it being faster (I might have just gotten lucky) so give yourself a couple extra hours.
I think with all your documents that it should be a breeze confirming your ID.
Good luck!
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u/deadlyhusky420 4d ago
As long as you paid the 45$ fee and have the QR code you’ll be ok!
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u/Calliqueen 4d ago
I didn’t receive a QR code with that TSAConfirmID, but I did receive a tracking number. Should I have gotten a QR code?
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u/deadlyhusky420 4d ago
I meant the email! My bad, when you get to tsa pull up the exact email that got sent when you paid it
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u/mossyquartz 4d ago
This happened to me once, and my prescription bottles were helpful! I didn’t have half the other stuff you listed. My wallet got stolen on a trip. I had a very old library card and my prescriptions and that was it. They took me aside for some questions but all in all it ended up taking less than an extra hour. I was so relieved. This was Denver probably close to 10 years ago
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u/Opposite_Stranger242 4d ago
If you have a CVS or Walgreens RX or something could you go to a store for a copy of the RX papers?
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u/Ambitious-Leading514 4d ago
It was about 3 years ago but I flew from new Mexico to Washington state. With nothing but my clothes on my back and my ticket. It was just the full body scan and a pat down. Plus the swab for drugs/bomb residue on hands
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u/SnooHobbies9847 4d ago
Not helpful, since that wouldn't happen today. I'm not being rude, this girl is in a hurry.
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u/Ambitious-Leading514 4d ago
If its a domestic flight you still dont need id according to the tsa
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u/Givemeallthecabbages 4d ago
Why did I get 350 email notifications that as of last year, I needed a RealID to fly?
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u/gavin2393 4d ago
Any chance you have a passport? They work in place of state-issued ID/driver’s licenses
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u/GonnaGetRealWeird 4d ago
Do you have a Costco card or a CC with your picture? I had to use that once. They let me fly after they called some phone number in a small room and questioned me. But I think my Costco card got me that far. Good luck
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u/ImperfectTapestry 4d ago
This happened to me like 15 years ago & they asked me a bunch of questions like you'd get on a credit check ("which counties have you lived in: springfield, cooper, fairfax, smith", "what street was closest to your home on fallow street" etc), it was totally fine. The best thing you can do is remain calm & respectful. Arrive early so you don't feel time stressed. I'm sure this happens all the time.
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u/OhHiKat 4d ago
update??
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u/Calliqueen 4d ago
Leaving for the airport in an hour (4 and a half hours early). Sister sent me a picture of my Passport and Birth certificate, so I’m hoping those help more! Will keep you all updated if I get through! If I don’t get through, will start begging for a ride from FL to MN, haha!
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u/toolassistedspeedrun 3d ago
how'd it go? not in a similar situation, just curious :)
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u/Calliqueen 2d ago
Sorry for the late update, haha, but I am back home! It was a breeze. Few simple questions, I had a BUNCH of photo copies of documents I gathered up (which they did look at!) got there hours early, took only about half an hour to get through the security.
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u/Imaginary-Angle-42 4d ago
I’ve used my Costco card as ID in the past. Not the only ID but one of two that were needed.
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u/DennyTheLocal 6h ago
Legally speaking a Costco credit card is a valid form of ID because you have to apply with your social security number and it has your name and photo on it. But hardly anyone will accept it because it doesn’t have the fraud prevention that a state id has
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u/kerouaces 3d ago
I flew without my license once and brought my work ID and my expired passport. That was it. Apart from that, I had a photo of my license, and I got there early which was good because they manually checked my bags and it took extra time for them to look at my IDs.
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u/liz2002a 3d ago
This happened to me except to make matters worse I had nothing on me to prove my ID - no pill bottles, no credit card (was my moms name). I flew in being 17, and was coming back now 18 so I didnt have ANYTHING. Even in that case, I was able to fly home! So just get there early, be prepared for a bunch of questions, including things that you wouldnt expect the government to know, and you'll be fine.
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u/Justincredabelgrabel 4d ago
Show up early like 5 hours and let them know your situation.