URGENT UPDATE: Starting February 1, 2026, travelers without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an acceptable form of ID will be required to pay a $45 fee at airport security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has just confirmed that those unable to present valid identification can utilize a new alternative system, Confirm ID, for this fee.
This significant change means that passengers who fail to pay the fee or cannot be verified could be denied access to security checkpoints, potentially causing them to miss their flights. This policy impacts anyone without a valid ID, including those who have lost or had their ID stolen.
“We must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are,” stated Adam Stahl, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA. The new measure is part of ongoing updates to the REAL ID Act, which mandates that all travelers aged 18 and older present a REAL ID or another federally recognized ID, such as a passport, for domestic flights.
The $45 fee is designed to cover the operational and administrative costs associated with the Confirm ID system, ensuring taxpayers are not financially responsible for the verification of non-compliant travelers. Initially proposed at $18, the fee was adjusted after a thorough analysis revealed higher-than-expected costs.
“The fee was necessary because we needed to modernize the system,” said Steve Lorincz, TSA’s Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations. “We needed to make sure that the system is safe.”
Travelers can pay the fee online through the official U.S. Federal Government payment portal, pay.gov, either before arriving at the airport or upon arrival. Once paid, the clearance will be valid for 10 days. However, after this period, another fee will be necessary for subsequent travel without a valid ID.
The verification process is expected to take between 10 to 15 minutes, but the TSA warns that it could extend to 30 minutes or more depending on wait times and individual needs. Despite this new system, officials strongly encourage all travelers to obtain a REAL ID to avoid the fee and potential delays.
Currently, around 94 percent of travelers utilize a REAL ID or another accepted form of identification, including passports or mobile/digital IDs from providers like Apple and Google.
As this new policy approaches, travelers are urged to prepare accordingly to ensure a smooth airport experience. Stay tuned for more updates as the implementation date draws near.
