TSA to charge $45 fee for travelers without REAL ID starting Feb. 1

The Transportation Security Administration announced Monday that it will begin charging a $45 fee to travelers who do not present an acceptable form of identification, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or passport, but who still wish to fly domestically.

The non-refundable fee grants travelers access to TSA Confirm.ID, a modernized identity verification system, for a single 10-day travel period. The new requirement takes effect on Feb. 1, 2026.

The TSA stated that the fee is designed to shift the cost of verifying insufficient identification away from taxpayers and onto the passengers who have not yet secured the federally required credentials.

ID verification and penalties

REAL ID requirements, which mandate enhanced security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses, officially went into full enforcement on May 7. The TSA noted that over 94% of passengers already present an acceptable form of identification.

Travelers who arrive at the airport with a non-REAL ID-compliant state license or no acceptable ID will be referred to the optional Confirm.ID process prior to entering the security line. The agency warned that passengers using this fee-based process should expect increased wait times that could lead to missed flights.

“Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies,” Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl said.

Stahl urged non-compliant travelers to get a REAL ID or another accepted form of ID, such as a U.S. passport, military ID, or permanent resident card, as soon as possible to avoid delays.

Implementation and background

The TSA is working with private industry to offer travelers the option to pay the $45 fee online before arriving at the airport to minimize delays.

The agency affirmed that the REAL ID law, signed more than two decades ago, was finally implemented and enforced under President Donald Trump’s administration as of May 7 after multiple previous delays.

TSA emphasized that identity verification through the Confirm.ID process is not guaranteed to be succeed and travelers whose identities cannot be confirmed will be denied access to the security checkpoint.

TSA’s list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here.