If you’re heading to the airport without a REAL ID-compliant license or a passport, your next trip is about to get more expensive—and potentially a lot slower.
Starting February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin charging a $45 fee for travelers who do not present an acceptable form of identification. The fee covers the cost of a modernized identity verification process called TSA ConfirmID, designed for those who have yet to upgrade their state-issued IDs or who have lost their documents.
“This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer,” said a TSA official in a statement earlier this month. “The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID as soon as possible.”
The move comes nearly a year after the federal REAL ID mandate went into full effect on May 7, 2025. While the TSA has historically allowed some travelers without ID to fly after manual screening, the new “ConfirmID” system formalizes this process and shifts the financial burden from taxpayers to the travelers themselves.
Travelers must pay $45 via Pay.gov using a credit card, debit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Once paid, the verification is valid for 10 days. This covers most round-trip itineraries, but if your trip is longer, you may need to pay again for your return flight.
Paying the fee does not guarantee you will be allowed to fly. TSA will attempt to verify your identity through various databases and questions; if they can’t confirm who you are, you will be turned away. Travelers using ConfirmID are warned to arrive at least two to three hours early, as the manual verification process can take significant time.
The fee applies to any traveler 18 or older who does not have:
A REAL ID-compliant license (look for the star in the top right corner).
A valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card.
A DHS Trusted Traveler Card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
A U.S. Military ID.
The simplest way to bypass the $45 charge and the extra screening is to ensure your driver’s license is REAL ID-compliant. If your current license has a “NOT FOR FEDERAL ID” marking or lacks a gold/black star, you will need to visit your local DMV to upgrade.
Alternatively, carrying a valid passport—even for domestic flights—is a free way to stay compliant with federal law.
