If you don’t have a REAL ID or any other acceptable form of ID needed to fly, you’ll soon be required to pay a fee.
On Dec. 1, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that travelers who don’t present an acceptable form of ID but still want to fly will have to pay $45 to be verified through “modernized alternative identity verification system” TSA Confirm.ID.
“This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer,” says Adam Stahl, a senior official performing the duties of deputy administrator for the TSA. “The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights.”
Here’s what to know.
How does TSA Confirm.ID work?
All travelers without an acceptable form of ID will be referred to the optional TSA Confirm.ID process when they arrive at TSA check-in before entering the security line.
While the process will differ between airports, the TSA says travelers should plan to pay the fee and upload their documents through a TSA web portal, which will go online soon, before they arrive at the airport and bring a copy of their Confirm.ID receipt to the standard TSA line. You should then be able to proceed through the security checkpoint normally.
Those who don’t complete Confirm.ID ahead of time can complete it at the airport. TSA officials generally expect ID verification to take 10 to 15 minutes but said it could take up to 30 minutes and enrolling in Confirm.ID does not guarantee the TSA’s ability to verify a traveler’s identity, so even after paying the fee, travelers could be denied boarding.
The TSA said Confirm.ID’s alternative compliance method is valid for 10 days per payment, beginning with the first departure of the itinerary.
When will TSA Confirm.ID go into effect?
According to the TSA, you’ll have the option to pay the $45 fee for a 10-day travel period beginning Feb. 1, 2026.
What types of ID are accepted by the TSA?
Here are the acceptable forms of ID as of Dec. 1, according to the TSA:
How to apply for a REAL ID
As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID is required to fly domestically within the U.S. and enter certain federal buildings or military bases. Visit your local DMV office in person with these required documents to apply for your REAL ID:
Contributing: USA TODAY
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: TSA to charge new fee for travelers without REAL ID. What it means for you
Reporting by Emily Barnes, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
