TSA Implementing $45 Per Person Fee For Air Travelers Who Are Not REAL ID Compliant
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that air travelers who are not REAL ID compliant and over the age of 18 will have to pay a fee and could face longer wait times at the airport. on.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that air travelers who are not REAL ID compliant will have to pay a fee and could face longer wait times at the airport.
Starting February 1, 2026, air travelers who do not present an acceptable form of identification (see below for full list) such as a state-issued enhanced driver’s license (EDL), enhanced ID (EID), or U.S. Passport at security checkpoints will have the choice to pay a nonrefundable $45 per person fee to have their identification verified using the TSA Confirm.ID process.
If you do not present a valid form of ID and still want to fly, you will be directed by security to go through a separate line to verify your identity that could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
Travelers will be able to pay the fee online and it does not guarantee you will get approved.
Once verification is completed at the airport and you are approved, you will be presented with a receipt to give the TSA agent at the security checkpoint.
If you have a U.S. Passport or Passport Card or anything from the acceptable list below, then you can fly without having a REAL ID. If you have a state-issued driver’s license or identification card with a gold or black star on it then you are REAL ID compliant. If you have any of the other acceptable forms of identification below you are good to go.
However, if your state-issued driver’s license or identification card does not have that star, you should contact your DMV as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to get it updated per TSA recommendations. Visit https://www.tsa.gov/real-id and click on your state to see what is required.
Full List of acceptable identification
REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles.
A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.
State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
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