Starting February 1, travelers 18 and older flying domestically without a REAL ID or other accepted identification (such as a passport, military ID, permanent resident card, or federally recognized tribal nation photo ID) will need to pay a $45 non-refundable fee to verify their identity through TSA’s new alternative system called Confirm.ID.
Key details about the Confirm.ID option:
- The $45 fee must be paid online either before arriving at the airport or at the airport before security, though the latter may cause delays of up to 30 minutes.
- Verification is not guaranteed; travelers whose identities cannot be confirmed may be denied boarding.
- If approved, the verification is valid for a 10-day travel period.
- TSA also accepts digital IDs via Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet at over 250 U.S. airports.
This fee replaces a previously proposed $18 charge and reflects higher-than-expected program costs. The REAL ID law, signed over 20 years ago and enforced since May 2023, aims to improve security, with 94% of travelers already compliant. TSA warns that passengers without an accepted ID should expect longer wait times due to additional screening. Travelers are encouraged to obtain a REAL ID to avoid these fees and delays.
