Domestic travelers in the United States will have to pay a $45 fee if they do not present a REAL ID-compliant identification starting February 1, 2026, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The measure, officially announced in December 2025, will affect all passengers over the age of 18 who do not carry an accepted document at airport security checkpoints.
- The REAL ID Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005, fully took effect on May 7, 2025, after several delays.
- What does the new fee entail, and how will it be applied?
- Who must comply with the new requirement?
- How to obtain a REAL ID, and what are the requirements?
- What happens if a REAL ID or alternative document is not presented?
- What other changes does the REAL ID implementation bring?
- Why is this change being implemented, and what is the background?
- How does the measure affect travelers, and what’s next?
According to the TSA, the charge responds to the next phase of the REAL ID Act implementation, which requires stricter federal standards for the issuance of driver’s licenses and other IDs. According to documentation published in the Federal Register and institutional sources from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the fee aims to cover the costs associated with electronic and biometric identity verification at the checkpoint.
The REAL ID Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005, fully took effect on May 7, 2025, after several delays.
Since that date, states and territories have been required to issue IDs that comply with federal standards. The TSA has reported that the new fee will apply nationwide and that accepted alternatives to avoid the charge include U.S. passports, green cards, military IDs, and documents issued by federally recognized tribes, among others.
What does the new fee entail, and how will it be applied?
The so-called “TSA ConfirmID Fee” will have a fixed cost of $45 and will apply to those who cannot present a REAL ID-compliant ID or a valid alternative at the airport security checkpoint. According to the TSA, the verification process will be conducted online through the agency’s official website and will require biometric or biographical data authentication before the traveler can proceed to screening.
Once the verification is completed and the payment is made, the individual will receive a digital confirmation valid for 10 days, as stated on the Federal Register portal. This receipt must be presented to the TSA officer before accessing the restricted area of the airport.
The federal authority clarifies that the fee does not guarantee automatic approval to pass through security. If the system fails to confirm the passenger’s identity, access may be denied.
“We still need to complete the process to make sure we verify who you are. And if for any reason we can’t, you won’t be able to proceed,” said Steve Lorincz, TSA’s deputy security operations administrator, quoted by ABC News in December 2025.
Who must comply with the new requirement?
The measure applies to all passengers over the age of 18 traveling within the United States on domestic flights. Minors may board under the responsibility of an adult who meets the requirements. According to the TSA, digital identity verification will be mandatory for those who do not have a REAL ID, passport, or other authorized document.
Among the alternative IDs that allow travelers to avoid the fee and the digital process are:
- Valid U.S. passport.
- U.S. passport card.
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST).
- Department of Defense military ID.
- Permanent resident or border crossing cards.
- Photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribe.
The full list of accepted documents can be found on the TSA’s official website.
How to obtain a REAL ID, and what are the requirements?
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to apply for a REAL ID, individuals must present original documentation proving their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of residency, and legal immigration status. The process must be completed in person at the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Specific requirements may vary slightly between states and territories, but the federal standard requires all issuers to include a special mark—a star in the upper right corner—that distinguishes a REAL ID from traditional licenses. Documents that state “Federal Limits Apply” do not meet the requirements for domestic flights or access to restricted federal facilities.
The DHS notes that a U.S. passport remains valid for both domestic and international travel and that a REAL ID does not replace a passport for travel outside the country.
What happens if a REAL ID or alternative document is not presented?
According to the TSA, travelers who do not present a REAL ID or an alternative document will be informed of their non-compliance and directed to a special verification area. There, they must complete the ConfirmID process and pay the corresponding fee before being allowed to proceed to security screening. This procedure may take between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on passenger volume and electronic verification.
The ConfirmID digital receipt, once issued, will be valid for 10 consecutive days. If the passenger needs to board another flight after that period and still does not have a compliant ID, they will have to repeat the process and make a new payment.
What other changes does the REAL ID implementation bring?
The digital verification process includes pilot tests with electronic IDs, such as Apple Digital ID, Google ID Pass, and systems like Clear ID, according to the TSA. These methods are in the testing phase and are designed to strengthen identity security at airport checkpoints.
The measure does not change the obligations for those who already have a REAL ID, passport, or other authorized document. The rest of the security procedures, such as scanner use and baggage inspection, remain unchanged.
According to the Federal Register, the fee aims to streamline screenings and reduce exceptions so that by February 2026, most passengers will already have compliant IDs.
Why is this change being implemented, and what is the background?
The U.S. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, following the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, with the goal of strengthening security standards for the issuance of official IDs. Full implementation of the measure was postponed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and delays in state system updates.
Since May 7, 2025, presenting a REAL ID or an authorized document has been mandatory for boarding domestic flights and accessing restricted federal facilities. The announcement of the new fee is part of the progressive implementation schedule designed by the DHS and the TSA.
According to TSA spokesperson Steve Lorincz, the goal is “to ensure the identity of all travelers and maintain security at the nation’s airports.”
How does the measure affect travelers, and what’s next?
The introduction of the $45 fee represents a new requirement for those who have not updated their ID to meet federal standards. The TSA advises travelers to check their documentation status before planning any domestic flight to avoid delays and additional charges.
Federal authorities expect the measure to encourage widespread adoption of REAL IDs and compliant documents, making screenings easier and reducing incidents at security checkpoints. The digital verification process and fee will be active at all federally regulated airports starting in February 2026.
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