The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on Monday that passengers who do not present an acceptable form of identification, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or passport, will be required to pay a $45 fee to verify their identity at security checkpoints. This new measure will take effect on February 1, 2026. It marks the next phase in implementing the REAL ID Act, which was signed into law more than two decades ago but has faced multiple delays in enforcement.
The TSA’s new “Confirm.ID” system will provide a 10-day travel window for those who pay the non-refundable fee. However, officials warn that identity verification is not guaranteed even after payment, potentially resulting in travelers being denied access to secure areas of airports.
How The New TSA REAL ID Fee System Works
According to Fox News, travelers who arrive at TSA checkpoints without acceptable identification will be directed to the TSA Confirm.ID process before entering the security line. The agency strongly recommends that passengers pay the fee online before arriving at the airport to avoid delays. For those who must complete the process at the airport, officials warn that verification could take 10 to 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, potentially causing travelers to miss their flights.
“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,” said Adam Stahl, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA.
The TSA initially proposed an $18 charge for the alternative verification program, but ultimately settled on the higher $45 fee. According to the Federal Register filing, the fee structure ensures “government-incurred costs” are covered by travelers rather than taxpayers. Senior TSA officials said that a new cost review showed the technology and operational expenses were higher than expected, forcing an increase in the final fee.
