The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a fee for travelers without a REAL ID or other acceptable documents, requiring that they pay $45 to use a “modernized alternative identity verification system.”
The fee and system, called TSA Confirm.ID, begins February 1, 2026.
“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,” Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl said in a statement. “The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are. Beginning February 1, travelers who do not present an acceptable form of ID at our security checkpoints and still want to fly can pay a $45 fee and undergo the TSA Confirm.ID process.”
“This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer,” Stahl explained. “The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights.”
Acceptable forms of ID include REAL ID, state-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID), passport or passport card, foreign government-issued passport, permanent resident card, border crossing card, and other documents.
TSA noted that more than 94% of travelers already use REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.
