Travellers who arrive at airport security without an acceptable form of identification, such as a REAL ID, passport or approved digital ID, will soon have to pay a $45 fee.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that the policy will take effect on February 1, 2026. TSA officials told media on Monday that this fee will cover the cost of verifying a traveller’s identity and will be paid through pay.gov. They explained that taxpayers will not pay for the programme.
Need for REAL ID
Anyone 18 and older must show a REAL ID-compliant licence or another federally recognised ID, such as a passport. TSA officials said this change could lead to frustration, as millions of people still hold non-compliant IDs.
The $45 fee will apply to travellers who must use the TSA Confirm ID system to verify their identity before entering security checkpoints.
The online verification process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes but can extend to 30 minutes or longer depending on airport conditions. After paying the fee online, travellers will receive a confirmation to show at the checkpoint.
Steve Lorincz, TSA’s deputy executive assistant administrator for security operations, told ABC News, “The fee was necessary because we needed to modernise the system. We needed to make sure that the system is safe.” Lorincz also noted there is no guarantee that verification will be successful, saying, “We still need to go through the process to make sure that we verify who you are. And for whatever reason, if we can’t do that, then you can’t go through the process.”
Fee is temporary but repeatable
The fee grants access through TSA checkpoints for up to 10 days. After that, if a traveller flies again without a REAL ID or passport, they will need to pay the fee again. TSA officials said discretion may be applied only in rare emergencies. The agency expects the programme to remain in place indefinitely.
Most travelers are already compliant
Senior TSA officials told Newsweek that approximately 94 percent of passengers currently use a REAL ID or other approved identification.
They stated that the new fee is meant to incentivise the remaining travellers to update their documentation. Officials encouraged people without compliant IDs to schedule appointments with their state Department of Motor Vehicles as soon as possible.