You’ve probably heard about the May 7 deadline imposed by the federal government requiring a REAL ID-compliant licenses/IDs or other approved document when you board a domestic commercial flight. Top officials at the Missoula airport helped clarify the status of the Tribal IDs currently issued by CSKT.
The CSKT tribal ID will be accepted for fliers boarding domestic fights, according to Tim Damrow, Deputy Director of the Missoula Montana Airport.
There has been confusion as the May 7 deadline neared and people began rushing to get a REAL ID issued by the State of Montana. REAL IDs from Montana have a yellow star in the upper right corner of the card and require additional verification to obtain. A link to the TSA website lists what IDs are acceptable for flying and includes tribal IDs as being acceptable if issued from a federally-recognized tribe like CSKT.
Here is the link https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
• Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., it must be REAL ID compliant. If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles.
A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification
• State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)