TSA Sets $45 Fee for Travelers Without Real ID or Passport, NBC4 Washington Reports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a new $45 fee for travelers who do not present a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or an acceptable alternative identification, such as a passport. Beginning February 1, 2026, these travelers can use TSA’s alternative identity verification system, Confirm ID, to verify their identity and proceed through airport security by paying this fee.

Travelers can complete the identity verification process and pay the fee online via pay.gov before arriving at the airport, or they may choose to do so at the airport through a dedicated line. Approval of this identity verification is valid for 10 days, after which travelers without a Real ID or passport will need to pay the fee again for future trips.

This fee announcement updates an earlier proposal of an $18 charge, reflecting the TSA’s revised assessment that operational, technological, and administrative costs for Confirm ID are higher than initially predicted. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that the verification process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes but can extend to 30 minutes or more, depending on airport wait times and verification requirements.

The Real ID Act, passed in 2005, mandates that individuals must show Real ID-compliant identification or an approved alternative to board domestic flights. Enforcement of this requirement began earlier this year after several delays, with the current final deadline set for May 7 of next year.

Acceptable forms of identification at TSA checkpoints include:

1. Real ID or State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
2. U.S. passport or passport card
3. DHS trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry
4. Department of Defense and permanent resident cards
5. Federally recognized Tribal Nation photo IDs
6. Foreign government-issued passports
7. Other credentials like Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

The $45 fee is designed to cover the costs necessary to sustain the Confirm ID program, ensuring that travelers without compliant IDs can still fly with verified identity. This fee-supported system aims to balance security needs with traveler convenience amid the nationwide transition to Real ID enforcement.