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Lost or stolen identification and scheduled to fly
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In past articles concerning foreign travel I have suggested making copies of your passport identification page with picture to assist with replacement if you are traveling. My suggestion, multiple copies including with one copy with a family member or friend not traveling wit you and a copy with you. However, what happens when you are traveling within the United States and your government issued identification is lost or stolen?
Since the TSA has taken over security and screening duties at US airports, most travelers use a state-government issued drivers license or identification card. According to the TSA’s website:“......passengers that willfully refuse to provide identification at security checkpoint will be denied access to the secure area of airports. This change will apply exclusively to individuals that simply refuse to provide any identification or assist transportation security officers in ascertaining their identity. This new procedure will not affect passengers that may have misplaced, lost or otherwise do not have ID but are cooperative with officers. Cooperative passengers without ID may be subjected to additional screening protocols, including enhanced physical screening, enhanced carry-on and/or checked baggage screening, interviews with behavior detection or law enforcement officers and other measures.”
So, your identification has been lost or stolen, now what?
- Police Report: If you identification was stolen i.e. wallet/purse theft, you probably filed a police report. Bring it with you.
- Passport: Most of us do not carry our passport each day. A client called in a panic one night mentioning he had left his driver’s license at the gym and it was now closed. I advised, use your passport, it is a government issued ID.
- Photocopy of Drivers License: How many of us copy our Drivers License? Not many, however, keep a copy at home in case of emergency.
- Call the Airlines: Call the airline you are flying on. Explain the situation and ask if you can delay your flight (until you can get identification) or what remedies they may suggest prior to arrival at the airport.
- Additional Identification: Anything with a picture can assist your plea. While it may not be government issued, supervisors on site can make a judgment call.
The message is, have alternate ID available just in case. Anything documents you have will assist in identification. However, you will probably be searched in depth. Per the TSA web-site: a passenger "may be subjected to additional screening protocols, including enhanced physical screening, enhanced carry-on and/or checked baggage screening, interviews with behavior-detection or law-enforcement officers and other measures."
The TSA list of accepted backup identification is at: Acceptable Identification Documents
Happy and safe travels.
