Air travelers who show up at airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification will soon face a $45 fee under a new identity verification program announced by the Transportation Security Administration on Monday.
Beginning February 1, 2026, passengers aged 18 and older who lack a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or accepted alternative such as a passport will be required to pay the non-refundable fee to verify their identity through a modernized system called TSA Confirm.ID.
Originally the fee was $18, but the agency increased the fee after determining that costs for the new technology and operational expenses were higher than initially projected.
Passengers will have the option to complete the verification process and pay the fee online through a forthcoming TSA web portal before arriving at the airport. Those who choose to handle the process at the airport can expect it to take 10 to 15 minutes, though TSA officials warn it could take 30 minutes or longer in some cases.
Once verified, travelers receive a receipt to present to TSA officers at the checkpoint, along with their non-compliant identification. The verification remains valid for 10 days, allowing passengers to complete round trips or multiple flights without paying additional fees.
TSA officials warned that paying the $45 fee does not guarantee successful identity verification. Travelers whose identities cannot be confirmed through the Confirm.ID system may be denied entry to the secure area and unable to board their flights.
According to TSA, more than 94% of travelers already present REAL ID-compliant credentials or other acceptable forms of identification when passing through airport security.
Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, establishing federal standards for state-issued identification documents to make them more difficult to counterfeit.
Originally scheduled for implementation in 2008, the deadline was repeatedly delayed due to state pushback over costs, privacy concerns, and practical challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed enforcement back further until the May 7, 2025 deadline was finally enacted.
Since May, travelers have been required to show a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, passport, or other accepted identification to pass through TSA checkpoints. Until now, those without proper documentation could still fly after undergoing additional screening and receiving a warning.
Travelers can avoid the $45 fee by presenting any of the following TSA-accepted documents:
- REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state photo ID (marked with a star symbol)
- U.S. passport or passport card
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- DHS Trusted Traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. military ID, including dependent IDs
- Permanent resident card
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential
- Federally recognized Tribal Nation photo ID
- Foreign government-issued passport
Additionally, TSA now accepts digital IDs through Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet at more than 250 airports across the United States.
