The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026.
Travelers will be able to pay $45 to use TSA Confirm.ID for a 10-day travel period. TSA urges travelers who do not have a REAL ID to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.
Officials said the fee is meant to cover the technology and administrative costs of verifying the identities of travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant document or an accepted alternative.
All travelers without an acceptable ID, including those who present a non-REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or ID, will be referred to the optional TSA Confirm.ID process for identity verification which will require them to pay the $45 fee and upload their documents through a TSA web portal, which will go online soon, before they arrive at the airport.
Those travelers should bring a copy of their Confirm.ID receipt to the standard TSA line and should be able to proceed through the security checkpoint normally after presenting their noncompliant documents and proof of completing the Confirm.ID process.
This process will differ airport to airport, and TSA is working with private industry to proactively offer online payment options prior to arrival at the airport.
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However, for passengers who arrive at the airport without paying the fee, information about how to pay for the TSA Confirm.ID option will be available at marked locations at or near the checkpoint in most airports. Travelers who undergo TSA Confirm.ID processing at an airport should expect delays, as verification can take 10 to 15 minutes …….so they should be prepared as the whole process could take up to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, 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.
- REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state photo identity cards issued by the DMV or state’s equivalent.
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced ID.
- U.S. passport or passport card.
- Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards, like Global Entry.
- Permanent resident card.
- Border crossing card.
- Photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe.
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including those issued to dependents.
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC).
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
- HSPD-12 PIV card.
- Foreign government-issued passport card.
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card.
TSA notes that the list of what’s accepted may change without notice, so travelers with REAL ID alternatives should check the TSA’s webpage before traveling.
The REAL ID law was signed more than 20 years ago, but previous presidential administrations failed to properly implement it. Under President Trump’s leadership, the law was finally implemented and enforced by Secretary Kristi Noem as of May 7, 2025.