URGENT UPDATE: Starting February 1, 2026, travelers without a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification will face a $45 fee at airport security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has just confirmed this significant change, which will require passengers without valid ID to use a new identity verification system called Confirm ID.
This new fee aims to cover the operational and technological costs associated with the Confirm ID system, as confirmed by TSA officials. Travelers unable to pay the fee or verify their identity may be denied access to security, risking missing their flight. This rule applies to anyone who has lost their ID or had it stolen.
According to Adam Stahl, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA, “Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies.” He emphasized that while most travelers present acceptable identification, it is crucial for all individuals flying to prove their identity.
The REAL ID Act, which has been in development since 2005, mandates that all travelers aged 18 and older must present either a REAL ID or a federally recognized ID, such as a passport, for domestic flights. The fee is a necessary measure to ensure taxpayers do not foot the bill for non-compliant travelers, as explained by Steve Lorincz, TSA’s deputy executive assistant administrator for security operations.
Initially, TSA proposed an $18 fee in a notice dated November 20, but subsequent analyses indicated higher costs for the verification process. Lorincz stated, “The fee was necessary because we needed to modernize the system. We needed to make sure that the system is safe.”
Travelers can pay the fee through the official U.S. Federal Government payment portal, pay.gov, either before arriving at the airport or upon arrival. Once the fee is paid and identity verified, the clearance will be valid for 10 days. After this period, travelers will need to pay another fee for subsequent flights without a valid ID. The TSA warns that the verification process may take between 10 to 15 minutes but could extend to 30 minutes or more based on wait times and individual verification needs.
Currently, approximately 94 percent of travelers use a REAL ID or another approved form of identification, such as a passport or a digital ID from providers like Apple and Google. Despite the introduction of the Confirm ID system, TSA officials strongly advise all travelers to obtain a REAL ID to avoid delays and the additional fee.
As this new regulation approaches, travelers are urged to prepare accordingly to ensure smooth passage through security checkpoints. Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops.
