No REAL ID? Prepare to Pay $45 with a new TSA rule

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a new fee of $45 for passengers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without an acceptable ID. The agency will launch an alternative identity verification program called TSA Confirm.ID on February 1.

Although details on how TSA Confirm.ID will function are still limited, it is designed as a solution for travelers who do not possess a REAL ID or other government-issued identification, such as passports or permanent resident cards.

The TSA stated that the $45 charge will cover a 10-day travel period. Passengers are encouraged to pay the fee online before arriving at the airport. For those who arrive without prepayment, instructions for paying at designated locations near security checkpoints will be available. Travelers using the TSA Confirm.ID process at the airport should anticipate additional delays.

Previously, the TSA had proposed an $18 fee linked to a biometric kiosk system intended to speed up identity verification compared to the manual process currently used for travelers lacking acceptable IDs. The new system aims to reduce the time and resources needed to verify identities by matching passenger information with government databases.

A TSA spokesperson described this initiative as a continuation of efforts to comply with the REAL ID Act, which was enacted over 20 years ago. Congress passed the REAL ID Act of 2005 following the 9/11 attacks, but its implementation only began in 2025. Since May of this year, travelers are required to present a REAL ID or another approved form of government ID at security checkpoints.

According to the TSA, 94% of travelers already use a REAL ID or another acceptable ID. Passengers without a REAL ID are advised to schedule an appointment with their local DMV to update their identification as soon as possible. REAL ID cards are identified by a star inside a circle in the upper right corner.

Author: Sophia Brooks