The airport security process affecting Palm Beach International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport is rolling out new rules.
The Transportation Security Administration allowed travelers to keep their shoes on when walking through checkpoints starting in July 2025. It also prohibited cordless hair tools and external batteries in checked luggage.
Now, travelers might need to pay a fee to get through security.
The new TSA policy that started on Feb. 1 requires travelers without a Real ID or a passport to pay a $45 fee to get their identity verified at security checkpoints. This is a jump from the $18 fee that TSA started charging non-Real ID travelers in November 2025.
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Can travelers pay the $45 security fee in advance?
Yes. Travelers can pay the $45 fee before getting to the airport at TSA’s online portal, TSA Confirm ID. This would cover them through security checkpoints for 10 days.
Travelers can give their receipt to TSA officials at the airport.
How can you avoid the new $45 TSA security fee?
If a traveler does not have a Real ID, they can use other forms of identification to avoid the $45 fee. These include:
How to tell if you have a Real ID?
If a driver’s license or state identification card has a gold circle with a white star in the upper right corner, it is Real-ID compliant.
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: PBIA: TSA charges $45 to get through airport security. What to know
Reporting by Maya Washburn, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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