REAL ID Deadline Approaching: TSA Introduces New 45 USD Fee for Non-Compliant Travellers: What You Need To Know

Published on December 2, 2025

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced a new policy requiring travelers without an acceptable form of ID to pay a $45 fee for using the TSA Confirm.ID alternative identity verification system, beginning on February 1, 2026. This new process aims to streamline the identification process for travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other valid forms of identification.

TSA Confirm.ID is designed to provide travelers with a modernized and secure way to verify their identity at security checkpoints, ensuring smoother operations and improved security measures for all passengers. This system will allow those without a REAL ID to still board their flights, but they will need to undergo additional verification to do so.

A Seamless Process for Identity Verification

The TSA Confirm.ID process will be available to travelers who do not present an acceptable form of ID, including those with non-REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses. Upon check-in at TSA security, these travelers will be directed to the TSA Confirm.ID process, where they can pay the $45 fee and complete the identity verification. This new system will be implemented at various airports across the U.S. and is designed to minimize delays, although passengers are encouraged to complete the payment online before traveling to avoid any disruptions.

Travelers will receive an electronic confirmation after completing the TSA Confirm.ID verification, which includes a unique QR code that can be randomly requested at airport checkpoints to confirm compliance. The $45 fee helps cover the costs of verifying an insufficient ID, ensuring that the burden does not fall on taxpayers.

Acceptable Forms of ID

Travelers are strongly encouraged to obtain a REAL ID or another valid form of identification to avoid delays and additional fees. The following IDs are currently accepted at TSA checkpoints:

• REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state-issued photo ID cards
• U.S. passport or passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• Permanent resident cards or border crossing cards
• U.S. Department of Defense ID
• Tribal IDs and Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

TSA advises travelers to check with their state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) if they are unsure whether their ID complies with REAL ID requirements.

Why This Change Is Important

The REAL ID law, which was enacted over 20 years ago, requires U.S. residents to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another approved form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic flights. However, many travelers still do not have a REAL ID. Beginning February 1, TSA Confirm.ID offers a viable solution, allowing travelers who have not obtained a REAL ID to still board flights, albeit at an additional cost and with more time required at the security checkpoint.

TSA expects the vast majority of passengers to continue using their REAL ID or another acceptable ID, but the new system ensures that those who have not met the requirement still have a pathway to travel, albeit with some added steps.

Preparing for the 2026 REAL ID Requirement

The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005, and as of May 7, 2025, it will be fully implemented, requiring all travelers to present a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification at U.S. airports for domestic flights. While the vast majority of travelers are expected to comply by then, TSA is taking proactive steps to ensure those without a REAL ID still have an option to travel in 2026 with the introduction of TSA Confirm.ID.

The fee system aims to cover the costs of processing travelers without a valid ID, while also providing an alternative for travelers who have not yet obtained their REAL ID. With 94% of passengers already using compliant IDs, the TSA Confirm.ID process is designed to assist the remaining travelers who may face challenges before the full implementation of the REAL ID law.

A New Pathway for Travellers Without REAL ID

With the new TSA Confirm.ID process and the $45 fee starting in February 2026, travelers without a REAL ID can still complete their journeys, but they should be prepared for additional processing time at airport security checkpoints. TSA encourages all passengers to secure a REAL ID or another valid ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and additional costs.

As the implementation of the REAL ID law continues to roll out, TSA Confirm.ID offers a critical solution for those who are still in the process of obtaining a compliant ID, ensuring that air travel remains accessible and efficient for all passengers.