Can you fly with a felony warrant?
Asked by: Prof. Kaleb Stiedemann DVM | Last update: June 29, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (52 votes)
The possibility of flying with a warrant depends on various factors. In the US, you can board a plane with an order in place, but airlines can deny you boarding if they suspect you're trying to avoid prosecution or disrupt an investigation. Flying with an outstanding warrant might be challenging.
Can you fly in the US with a felony warrant?
Yes, you can technically fly with a bench warrant, especially on domestic flights, as the TSA does not specifically check for warrants. However, it is risky because any encounter with law enforcement, such as during a security incident or a routine check, could lead to the discovery of the warrant and your arrest.
Do airports look up warrants?
Airports are high-security zones where passengers undergo thorough checks for safety and national security reasons. But do airports check for warrants? Generally, security personnel at airports and airport security officials themselves do not specifically check for outstanding warrants.
Can a warrant stop you from traveling?
A bench warrant does not stop you from flying, but if you run into any law enforcement agency in transit (most warrants show in national criminal databases) you most likely will get arrested and possibly held without bail until your court date.
Does customs know if you have a warrant?
Many travelers wonder if CBP is alerted when an inbound passenger has a warrant for their arrest issued. Yes, CBP is alerted. In the air passenger environment, air carriers transmit passenger information to CBP through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).
Can I Travel if there is a Warrant for my Arrest?
Does TSA check for warrants on Reddit?
They won't. TSA is about bombs and guns and other threats to air travel security. If you're a fugitive felon, it's possible that the state or Feds have requested the airline to run their passenger manifest against the fugitive felon file. But that's unlikely unless you're literally on the "no fly list".
Does TSA need a warrant?
The TSA does not check for warrants for local US residents. However, that is not absolute either. They might request immigration authorities to give access to the State crime database to confirm any outstanding warrant(s) on the supposed person. Therefore, we advise you not to risk travel with an existing warrant.
Do ID scanners show warrants?
When law enforcement “runs” your ID, if the officer wants it to, it can reveal wants, warrants and criminal history.
Can I get a passport with a warrant?
Additional Charges that Can Lead to a Passport Denial
You may have outstanding traffic fines that won't affect your passport approval. However, your passport can be denied if you have an outstanding warrant for a local, state, or federal felony offense.
What does TSA see when they scan your ID?
An agent will review your name, photo, address and date of birth, then cross-check to see that the information on your travel documents matches your ID. Keep in mind that the Real ID Act is now in effect, and it aims to deter terrorists' ability to use fake or fraudulently obtained IDs.
Do airports run background checks on passengers?
The Transportation Security Administration is expanding its screening of passengers before they arrive at the airport by searching a wide array of government and private databases that can include records like car registrations and employment information.
Do they run your name for warrants when you fly?
If you fly within the US, you're fine. TSA does not run warrant checks nor do they have the technology to do so. However, airport police DOES so it should go without saying to be on your best behavior and don't draw attention to yourself.
Can you fly with a felony?
Can Convicted Felons Travel? Yes, but it depends on your country of citizenship. If you're a US citizen, then yes. You can travel to most countries worldwide as long as you have a passport and a visa (if necessary).
What states will not extradite me if I have a felony warrant?
The Uniform Criminal Extradition Act (UCEA) also contains requirements and guidelines about extradition. The only states that have not adopted the UCEA are South Carolina and Missouri. Both states have state laws that still follow the federal statute.
Can you fly within the US with pending felony charges?
If you have pending felony charges, you may be required to appear in court for various court hearings, including arraignment, pre-trial hearings, and trial. The court may impose travel restrictions on you, requiring you to remain within the jurisdiction where the case is pending.
What do people see when they scan your ID?
Most ID scanners verify an ID by reading the information on the barcode, or magnetic strip, and checking to see if the data is returned in the correct format.
What can cops see when they run your ID?
Not only your name and address, but your criminal history, if you've got either outstanding tickets, or warrants. They check to see if you're wanted in some other state for something.
Can background checks see warrants?
Standard criminal background checks typically will not show outstanding warrants such as an open warrant or a bench warrant. An open warrant for someone's arrest is a warrant that has been issued by a magistrate or judge but has not been executed. This means that the target has not yet been taken into custody.
Can you fly in the US with warrants?
The possibility of flying with a warrant depends on various factors. In the US, you can board a plane with an order in place, but airlines can deny you boarding if they suspect you're trying to avoid prosecution or disrupt an investigation. Flying with an outstanding warrant might be challenging.
How does the airport know if you have a warrant?
Outstanding Arrest Warrants
Airport security personnel have access to various databases and can identify individuals with outstanding warrants. If you have an outstanding warrant, even for a seemingly minor issue like unpaid parking fines, you may be detained at the airport and taken into custody.
What is the no fly list?
No Fly List. The No Fly List is a small subset of the U.S. government Terrorist Screening Database (also known as the terrorist watchlist) that contains the identity information of known or suspected terrorists. This database is maintained by the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center.
Can customs see your criminal record?
At the border, officials can legally collect your personal and criminal information.
Do they check for warrants at the border?
See, both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have the capability to check for warrants as part of their screening processes. Warrants for serious crimes are more likely to be flagged, but it is not limited to watchlist offenses.