TSA Launches Modern Identity Verification Across U.S. Airports for Passengers Lacking REAL ID Starting February 2026 – You Need to Know

Published on December 2, 2025

Starting February first, two thousand twenty-six, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will offer an alternative option for passengers who do not have an acceptable form of identification but still wish to fly. Travelers in this situation will be able to pay a forty-five-dollar fee to use TSA’s modernized identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, which will allow them to establish their identity at security checkpoints.

The TSA Confirm.ID system is designed to provide a streamlined, secure alternative for travelers who arrive at airports without REAL ID-compliant identification or other approved forms of ID. The service will cover a ten-day travel period and can be paid online or on-site, depending on airport facilities. TSA strongly encourages travelers without a REAL ID to schedule an appointment with their local Department of Motor Vehicles to update their identification as soon as possible.

Acceptable Forms of Identification

Travelers are advised to carry any of the following forms of identification, all of which meet TSA’s security standards:

• REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or other state-issued photo identity cards
• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
• U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
• Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards, including Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST
• U.S. Department of Defense identification cards, including those issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card or border crossing card
• Federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe IDs, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Temporary driver’s licenses are explicitly not accepted under TSA security procedures.

How TSA Confirm.ID Works

Travelers who present an ID that is not REAL ID-compliant, or who do not have an acceptable form of identification, will be referred to the TSA Confirm.ID process. This optional identity verification service varies by airport, with TSA working in collaboration with private partners to offer online payment options prior to airport arrival. Travelers who pay the fee online in advance are expected to experience shorter wait times, while those who pay at the airport may encounter delays.

The TSA Confirm.ID process requires travelers to undergo identity verification before entering the security line. The system is designed to verify a passenger’s identity quickly and securely, maintaining airport safety while providing flexibility for travelers without compliant identification.

Background and Implementation

The REAL ID law, enacted over twenty years ago, was intended to standardize identification requirements for air travel. Previous administrations did not fully implement the law, delaying enforcement. After proper implementation, compliance measures have steadily increased. Currently, more than ninety-four percent of passengers already use a REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification when traveling.

TSA anticipates that passengers without compliant identification who use the Confirm.ID service may experience longer wait times at security checkpoints. Travelers are strongly encouraged to pay the TSA Confirm.ID fee online prior to travel to minimize delays. Airports will also provide clear signage and information for on-site payment and processing at designated locations near checkpoints.

Traveler Recommendations

To avoid potential delays and ensure smooth travel, TSA recommends that passengers:

• Update their identification to a REAL ID-compliant form at their local DMV
• Pay the TSA Confirm.ID fee online before traveling if they do not have acceptable ID
• Arrive at the airport early to allow sufficient time for the optional identity verification process
• Review their state DMV website to confirm whether their current ID is REAL ID-compliant

By offering TSA Confirm.ID as an optional, fee-based service, the Transportation Security Administration aims to provide a secure, flexible solution for travelers who may not have updated identification while maintaining rigorous security standards across U.S. airports.