Starting February 1, 2026, travelers without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an acceptable form of identification will incur a fee of $45 to pass through airport security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that individuals unable to present a valid ID can opt for an alternative identity verification system called Confirm ID, for which the fee will apply.
The new policy aims to enhance security measures at airports. According to 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.” He emphasized that while the majority of travelers present acceptable identification, the TSA must ensure that everyone flying is indeed who they claim to be.
Details of the New Fee Structure
This initiative is part of a broader update to the REAL ID Act, which has been in development since 2005. Under this act, all travelers aged 18 and older must present a REAL ID or another federally recognized form of ID, such as a passport, for domestic flights. The newly introduced fee is designed to cover the operational, technological, and administrative costs associated with the Confirm ID system.
Initially, the TSA proposed a fee of $18; however, a subsequent analysis revealed that operational costs would be higher than initially expected. As 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 will have the option to pay the $45 fee online through the official U.S. Federal Government payment portal, pay.gov, either before arriving at the airport or upon arrival. Once the fee is paid and the individual’s identity is verified, the clearance will be valid for 10 days. Should travelers wish to fly again within that period without a valid ID, they will need to pay the fee again.
Anticipated Wait Times and Recommendations
The verification process is expected to take between 10 to 15 minutes, although it could extend to 30 minutes or longer depending on individual circumstances and wait times. To minimize delays, TSA officials strongly encourage travelers to obtain a REAL ID to avoid the fee and potential disruptions to their travel plans.
Currently, approximately 94 percent of travelers utilize a REAL ID or another approved form of identification, such as passports or mobile/digital IDs from providers like Apple and Google. The TSA’s initiative reflects an ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of air travel while providing options for those who may lack the required identification.
