The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has proposed an $18 fee for passengers who do not present a REAL ID-compliant identification or a valid passport when passing through security checkpoints at U.S. airports. This initiative, still in the regulatory process, entered public comment in November 2025 and will primarily affect U.S. citizens and residents over 18 traveling on domestic flights, according to the official publication in the Federal Register and documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- What is the proposed fee for passengers without REAL ID or a passport in 2025?
- When could the $18 fee proposed by the TSA take effect?
- What documents does the TSA accept for boarding domestic flights?
- How will the biometric system for identity verification work at airports?
- Why is the fee being proposed now, and what is the legal framework?
- What changes and what remains the same for air travelers in the U.S.?
- Where to find official information about the TSA fee and REAL ID?
- What impact will the fee have on frequent travelers, and how can they prepare?
According to the reasoning published in the Federal Register, the TSA presents this measure as a mechanism to fund the implementation of automated identity verification systems, which include the use of biometric kiosks and an alternative program for those without compliant documents.
The proposal states that passengers without the required federal identification may access the alternative procedure after paying the fee.
Federal authorities explain that the revenue would cover the cost of new technology, dedicated staff, and necessary infrastructure during the transition period.
The REAL ID requirement stems from the federal law passed in 2005 after the September 11, 2001, attacks. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), nationwide implementation of the security standard was delayed multiple times. Since May 7, 2025, passengers have been required to present REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or U.S. passports to board domestic commercial flights. The proposed fee is the next step in the airport security modernization plan, as stated in the Federal Register.
What is the proposed fee for passengers without REAL ID or a passport in 2025?
If approved, the new rule proposed by the TSA states that any passenger arriving at a security checkpoint without a REAL ID, valid U.S. passport, or other compliant state-issued document may verify their identity through an automated system. This mechanism involves biometric kiosks, facial recognition software, and biographical procedures, and requires payment of a non-refundable $18 fee to access the process. Details are included in the official document published in the Federal Register.
The fee will be valid for ten days, allowing passengers to use the alternative system as many times as needed during that period without having to pay again each time they travel. According to the proposal, the exception aims to minimize the financial impact on users who need to fly multiple times in a short period and are unable to obtain or renew a REAL ID in the near term.
When could the $18 fee proposed by the TSA take effect?
The initiative is in the public comment phase. It has not been approved as of the publication date of this article, and no specific effective date has been set. The Federal Register keeps the process open, during which citizens, civil organizations, and representatives from the aviation sector may submit comments and suggestions on the proposed rule.
If it moves forward, the TSA will still need to review all feedback received and modify or confirm the measure before final implementation. The agency noted in an institutional document that the effective date depends on the outcome of the federal regulatory process.
What documents does the TSA accept for boarding domestic flights?
According to the TSA website and legislation issued by the Department of Homeland Security, valid documents for boarding flights within the United States include:
- State-issued driver’s licenses compliant with the REAL ID standard.
- Valid U.S. passport.
- Federal military credentials.
- Accepted foreign passports for legal residents or visitors.
- Specific documents for diplomats, federal agency personnel, or Native American tribes under authorized protocols.
Current regulations exempt individuals under 18 traveling with adults who have valid identification, as reported by the DHS. The TSA allows exceptions for medical emergencies or family situations, evaluated on a case-by-case basis by designated supervisors, which could permit access without paying the fee in those specific cases.
How will the biometric system for identity verification work at airports?
The proposal published in the Federal Register explains that the “modernized alternative identity verification program” will collect biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition, along with biographical information stored in state and federal databases, to authenticate the identity of travelers lacking valid documents.
The procedure consists of several steps:
- The traveler informs TSA staff of the lack of compliant identification.
- The traveler is asked to pay the $18 fee, which is valid for ten consecutive days.
- The passenger uses a biometric kiosk or automated station to register their biometric data and personal information.
- The data is cross-checked in real time with official records.
- Security personnel determine whether the verification is satisfactory and authorize—or deny—access to the restricted airport area.
The TSA states that using the alternative system does not guarantee boarding approval. If identity cannot be verified, passengers may face additional screening, including interviews or detention until the situation is resolved. Privacy, use, and protection standards for biometric data are subject to the same federal regulatory framework applicable to all sensitive information collection in the country.
Why is the fee being proposed now, and what is the legal framework?
The REAL ID requirement originates from the law passed by the U.S. Congress in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks. The federal legislation requires all 50 states to issue documents under unified standards and restricts the use of identifications deemed insecure. After multiple extensions, full enforcement of the REAL ID requirement began on May 7, 2025, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security.
The proposed fee aims to cover the cost of technological modernization and the staff needed for exceptional operations at airports. The TSA explained in the filing submitted to the Federal Register that public funding is insufficient to support the nationwide deployment of new biometric verification systems, which motivates the one-time charge for those using the additional service.
What changes and what remains the same for air travelers in the U.S.?
With the potential advancement of the new rule, requirements for accessing domestic flights are consolidated:
- All individuals over 18 must show a REAL ID, passport, or equivalent document to pass through TSA checkpoints.
- Without these documents, they may use the alternative system only after paying the proposed fee.
- The current exemption applies to accompanied minors, justified emergencies, and situations approved at the discretion of designated personnel.
- Requirements for international flights and documents mandated by immigration authorities remain unchanged, as they are governed by specific laws.
Official and up-to-date information on these requirements is always available on the TSA website.
Where to find official information about the TSA fee and REAL ID?
The TSA and the Department of Homeland Security provide official channels for inquiries and direct clarifications regarding identification processes, regulatory implementations, and the fee’s applicability when relevant. Travelers can access the full texts and participate in the public comment process through the following links:
- TSA, information on REAL ID and valid documents
- Federal Register, text of the proposed fee rule
The public comment channel will allow opinions, concerns, and technical proposals to be expressed until the deadline set in the original publication.
What impact will the fee have on frequent travelers, and how can they prepare?
User organizations and authorities recommend obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or renewing a passport before any new fee rule takes effect. While the public comment and administrative review process continues, no charges will be implemented, and current procedures remain in place. The TSA urges the public to stay informed and update their documentation to minimize future inconveniences and avoid unnecessary travel expenses within the United States.
Image: Infobae
