URGENT UPDATE: Starting February 1, 2026, travelers without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an approved form of ID will face a $45 fee at airport security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has just announced this change, requiring passengers who cannot present acceptable identification to opt for an alternative verification system called Confirm ID.
This new measure comes as a part of the ongoing implementation of the REAL ID Act, which mandates that all travelers aged 18 and older must show either a REAL ID or another federally recognized identification, such as a passport, for domestic flights. The TSA’s announcement underscores the importance of identity verification in maintaining safety within the aviation system, with Senior Official Adam Stahl stating, “Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies.”
Travelers who do not pay the fee or cannot be verified may be denied access to security checkpoints, potentially causing them to miss their flights. This includes individuals who have lost their IDs or had them stolen. The $45 fee is designed to cover the operational and administrative costs associated with the Confirm ID system, ensuring that taxpayers are not burdened with expenses related to non-compliant travelers.
Initially, the TSA proposed a $18 fee in a notice released on November 20, but a subsequent analysis revealed higher-than-expected expenses, leading to the increase. Steve Lorincz, the TSA’s deputy executive assistant administrator for security operations, emphasized the necessity of the fee, saying, “We needed to modernize the system. We needed to make sure that the system is safe.”
Travelers can pay the fee online via the official U.S. Federal Government payment portal, pay.gov, either before arriving at the airport or at the airport itself. Once the fee is paid and the passenger’s identity verified, this clearance will be valid for 10 days. After this period, another fee will be necessary for subsequent travel without a valid ID.
The verification process is expected to take 10 to 15 minutes, but the TSA cautions that it could extend to 30 minutes or longer depending on wait times and individual verification requirements. Despite this new fee, TSA officials strongly recommend that travelers obtain a REAL ID to avoid fees and delays. Currently, approximately 94 percent of travelers use a REAL ID or another approved form of identification, such as a passport or a mobile/digital ID from providers like Apple and Google.
With these upcoming changes, travelers are urged to prepare now to avoid unexpected fees and complications at the airport. Stay tuned for further updates as this developing situation unfolds.
