Starting February 1, 2026, travelers in the United States who do not possess a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification will incur a fee of $45 at airport security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that those unable to present valid ID may opt for an alternative identity verification process called Confirm ID, which comes with this charge.
According to the TSA, passengers who do not pay the fee or cannot be verified may be denied access to security checkpoints, which could result in missing their flights. This policy also applies to individuals who have lost their ID or had it stolen. As stated by Adam Stahl, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA, “Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail.”
The introduction of this measure is part of a broader update to the REAL ID Act, which has been in development since 2005. The act mandates that travelers aged 18 and older present a REAL ID or another federally accepted form of identification, such as a passport, for domestic air travel. The $45 fee is designed to cover the operational, technological, and administrative costs associated with the Confirm ID system, ensuring that taxpayers do not bear the financial burden of verifying non-compliant travelers.
Initially, the TSA proposed a fee of $18 in a notice published on November 20, but subsequent analyses revealed that the costs were higher than expected. Steve Lorincz, the TSA’s Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, explained to ABC News, “The fee was necessary because 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 prior to arriving at the airport or upon arrival. Once the fee is settled and identity verification is completed, the clearance will remain valid for a period of 10 days. After this time, another fee will be required for further travel without valid ID. The TSA estimates that the verification process will take between 10 to 15 minutes, although it may extend to 30 minutes or more depending on individual circumstances and wait times.
Despite these changes, TSA officials strongly encourage all travelers to obtain a REAL ID to avoid fees and potential delays. Currently, around 94 percent of travelers present a REAL ID or another approved form of identification, which includes passports and approved mobile or digital IDs from providers such as Apple and Google.
As the February deadline approaches, travelers are advised to ensure they have the necessary identification to facilitate a smooth and hassle-free journey through airport security.
