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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/twilc on 2026-07-20 21:31:52+00:00.
So my girlfriend and I are going to Puerto Rico from USA in 2 days. This is considered domestic travel because PR is US territory, so I knew I didn’t need a passport, which I do not have.
My birthday was a month ago, and I had to renew my DL. I’m not the smartest crayon in the toolbox, so I just assumed that all modern IDs were Real ID compliant in my state.
Well, 2 of our friends are traveling with us, and one of them happened to ask today if my GF and I had Real IDs. I said “I think so.” and then realized my ID literally says “Not for Federal ID” in the upper corner.
I panicked. Why didn’t they ask when I renewed it? Why didn’t I ask? I quickly raced to the BMV and was able to get it updated to “compliant” but I ran into another problem.
In my state, they give you a temporary paper ID and you have to wait for the real thing to be mailed in 14-28 days.
Again, I’m flying out in 2 days. The TSA website says “paper IDs are not considered valid.” My girlfriend got stressed out, and I’m not sure if I will get through TSA.
I called their automated service, and everything seems to imply that you can pay $45 for additional security screening and still get through.
Has anyone dealt with something like this? Will I be able to go to Puerto Rico?
TL;DR
I am not very smart and do not have a physical copy of a compliant ID and am worried I may not be able to fly to Puerto Rico in 2 days. Advice?
EDIT:
I paid the $45 “TSA Confirm ID” fee.