The TSA will begin charging airline passengers a $45 fee if they arrive at airport security without a Real ID-compliant form of identification. Starting February 1, travelers who present insufficient ID can still fly but must use TSA Confirm.ID, the agency’s identity-verification system that validates passengers through alternative checks. The confirmed identity will remain valid for 10 days.
The fee is significantly higher than the $18 estimate previously mentioned in a Federal Register notice. TSA said the cost shift ensures taxpayers are not subsidizing the verification process. The agency encourages passengers to pay online before their trip to avoid additional wait times, though payment options will still be available at airports.
According to TSA data, 94% of U.S. travelers already use Real ID or other approved identification such as passports or trusted-traveler cards. The new fee is expected to push the remaining 6% to update their documents ahead of travel, reducing reliance on the Confirm.ID system.
