URGENT UPDATE: Starting February 1, 2026, travelers without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an acceptable form of identification will face a hefty $45 fee at airport security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed this new policy, which aims to streamline the identity verification process for passengers unable to present valid ID.
This significant change means that those who cannot show proper identification will have to utilize an alternative verification system called Confirm ID, which will incur the fee. Travelers who do not pay the fee or are unable to be verified may be denied access to security checkpoints, risking missed flights. This includes those who have lost their ID or had it stolen.
In a statement, Adam Stahl, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA, emphasized the importance of identity verification: “Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies.” He noted that while most travelers—approximately 94 percent—already present acceptable IDs, the TSA must ensure all passengers are who they claim to be.
The $45 fee is designed to cover the operational and technological costs of implementing the Confirm ID system, ensuring taxpayers do not bear the financial burden for non-compliant travelers. Initially, the TSA proposed an $18 fee in a notice issued on November 20, but a recent analysis revealed higher-than-expected expenses, leading to the increase.
Steve Lorincz, TSA’s Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, explained, “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 online via the U.S. Federal Government payment portal, pay.gov, either before heading to the airport or upon arrival. Once the fee is paid and identity confirmed, clearance will be valid for 10 days. After this period, another fee will be required for future travel without valid ID.
The verification process is expected to take between 10 to 15 minutes, but the TSA warns it could extend to 30 minutes or more, depending on wait times and individual verification needs.
Despite the new fee, the TSA strongly encourages all travelers to obtain a REAL ID or another approved form of identification to avoid fees and delays. Currently, the vast majority of passengers utilize acceptable IDs, such as REAL IDs, passports, or approved mobile/digital IDs from providers like Apple and Google.
The announcement comes at a crucial time for air travel, as millions prepare for upcoming holiday travel. With the new fee looming, travelers are urged to ensure they have the necessary documentation to avoid additional costs and complications.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
