Does the UCAR-issued government identification card really work for airport security? Or would you just hear, "What's this? Show me a real ID," in the security line?

If it really works with TSA, it would seem to be a good thing to carry routinely as a backup during travel (both official and personal) in case of a lost wallet, stolen purse, etc.--if kept separately.

I have one, but have seldom used it, and then only for confirming eligibility for government hotel rates. The issue date is more than ten years old, so I have been thinking of updating it with a new one.

Answered on March 09, 2009

These cards do not appear to qualify as a valid form of identification for TSA. The TSA website states:

Effective June 21, 2008, adult passengers (18 and over) are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains the following: name, date of birth, gender, expiration date, and a tamper-resistant feature in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flights.

The UCAR-issued government ID cards do not have expiration dates or a tamper-resistant feature.

Additionally, NSF Security does not accept these cards as a valid proof of identification either.

Kathryn S. Schmoll
Vice President for Finance and Administration