American citizens who are traveling within the U.S. do not have to have a passport. However, when making an airline reservation, they do have to provide information for the Transportation Security Administration's Secure Flight program. Since 2009, when booking a ticket, every flier must give the airline his legal name, gender and date of birth, according to the TSA. This information is then screened for security purposes, so individuals on watch lists are not permitted to fly.
All American passengers who are 18 years and older must have a valid federal or state-issued photo ID when traveling, according to the Transportation Security Administration. These photo identifications must include a passenger's name, picture, birth date, gender and have a tamper-resistant feature. This information must match the same data provided to the Secure Flight program when the passenger booked her tickets. Acceptable forms of identification include driver's licenses or other IDs issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, military IDs or passports. Children traveling with parents do not need their own ID, but children 15 to 17 years old who are traveling alone must show an ID. Acceptable forms include the same as required for adults or a school ID card, library card or club membership card, according to Continental Airlines.
Foreign travelers who are flying only in the United States may not have to show their passport at security check points if they have American government-issued identification. This includes resident cards or border crossing cards. If they don't have a U.S.-issued ID, foreign citizens must show their passport when traveling within the U.S, according to the Transportation Authority Administration.
In order to pass through security checkpoints, all travelers must have an official ticket that was issued by their airline within 24 hours of their flight departure time. The name on the ticket must match the information on passengers' official photo identification.
