The policy, which was announced by TSA on December 1, 2025, aims to reduce delays and ensure a more efficient security screening for passengers who lack an approved ID. While the vast majority of travelers already use REAL IDs or other acceptable forms of identification, the new fee will serve as both an incentive and a necessary financial measure to support the program’s operational costs.
REAL ID Requirement and the Need for TSA Confirm.ID
As of May 2025, U.S. domestic travelers are required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, passport, or other approved forms of identification to board domestic flights and access federal facilities. However, despite the year-long transition period, many travelers still do not possess compliant IDs.
According to TSA, around 94% of passengers are already in compliance, but millions of others still lack the necessary documentation. Starting February 2026, those without REAL ID or a valid passport will be directed to TSA’s Confirm.ID program, a modernized alternative identity verification system that will verify their identity using biographic and biometric data.
The $45 fee will cover the operational, administrative, and technological costs of processing these travelers. This ensures that taxpayers do not bear the financial burden, as TSA official Steve Lorincz explained to ABC News. While the charge may seem steep, the fee is designed to encourage compliance and reduce security bottlenecks.
TSA officials emphasized that the Confirm.ID process will allow these passengers to proceed through security, but only after completing an identity verification procedure. This process will differ from airport to airport, and travelers will be asked to submit personal information to confirm their identity before being granted access to the security checkpoint.
Practical Implications for Travelers and the Fee Structure
For travelers who do not have an acceptable form of identification, the TSA’s Confirm.ID service offers a clear pathway, albeit at an added cost. The $45 fee will be valid for a 10-day travel period, meaning that if a traveler with a non-compliant ID needs to fly again within that window, they will not have to pay the fee a second time. However, after 10 days, they must pay the fee again to access TSA checkpoints if they continue to lack a valid form of ID.
The process to pay the fee will be available online, and TSA recommends that travelers who anticipate needing Confirm.ID should complete their payment ahead of time. Upon arriving at the airport, travelers will be required to show proof of payment to TSA officers. For those who do not pay in advance, the airport will provide instructions for completing the payment on-site, though TSA warns that travelers may face significant delays as they go through the identity verification process.
While the new policy is designed to enhance security, it may disproportionately affect travelers who do not frequently fly. Bill McGee, a senior fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project, highlighted that the fee could place a strain on families or individuals who travel only occasionally, as they will need to budget for the additional cost. However, TSA remains firm that the program is necessary to uphold the security of the U.S. aviation system.
With this change, the TSA continues to push for a comprehensive approach to safety, and while the fee will certainly add a financial burden for some, it is expected to streamline the process for the majority of travelers who already comply with the REAL ID regulations.
TSA urges travelers who are not yet in possession of a REAL ID to schedule an appointment at their local DMV as soon as possible to avoid delays and ensure they are ready for the new requirements. For more details on acceptable forms of identification and the Confirm.ID process, travelers can visit the official TSA website.
