Documents Needed for Air Travel

Bringing the right identification to the airport will help with a quick identity verification and check-in process.

Remember that the name on your identification must match the name on your airline ticket and boarding pass.

Domestic air travel

If you have Canadian identification

Show one of these documents at the boarding gate:

• one piece of photo identification issued by a Canadian federal, provincial or territorial government with your full name and date of birth or
• two pieces of identification issued by a Canadian federal, provincial or territorial government. Both must have your name and at least one must have your full name and date of birth.

Here are some examples of acceptable Canadian government-issued identification documents:

• passport
• citizenship card
• Canadian permanent resident card
• Canadian provincial or territorial driver's licence
• Canadian provincial or territorial health card
• Canadian provincial or territorial government identification cards
• birth certificate
• Record of Landing Form/Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 and IMM 5688)
• immigration documents issued to foreign nationals (e.g., Work Permit, Study Permit, Visitor Record, Temporary Resident Permit, Refugee Approved Status)
• Canadian military identification
• federal police identification
• federal or provincial government employee identification cards
• Old Age Security (OAS) identification card
• Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card) issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
• NEXUS card
• firearms licence

You can no longer use hunting, boating and fishing licences as identification for domestic flights.

In the event of loss or theft of identification documents, see subsection 3(2) of the Secure Air Travel Regulations for information on alternative identification requirements for domestic air travel.

If you don’t have Canadian identification

You can use one of the following pieces of photo identification issued by a government authority that shows the passenger’s surname, first name and any middle names and their date of birth and that is valid:

• passport issued by the country of which the passenger is a citizen or a national
• NEXUS card
• permanent resident card issued by the United States
• enhanced driver’s license issued in the United States
• any document referred to in subsection 50(1) or 52(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

International air travel

Show one of these required forms of identification at the boarding gate for an international flight to/from Canada:

• one piece of valid identification issued by a government authority with your photo, full name, date of birth and gender such as:
  • a passport issued by your country of citizenship or nationality or
  • a NEXUS card or
  • any document referred to in subsection 50(1) or 52(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

For Canadian citizens

Always carry a valid Canadian passport when you travel outside Canada. See Travel documents for more information.

Date modified:

2024-03-05