Chicago – December 02, 2025
Beginning February 1, air travelers in the United States who attempt to fly without a REAL ID or another approved form of identification will be required to pay a $45 non-refundable fee, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Monday.
The new fee is part of TSA’s updated Confirm.ID system, designed to verify the identity of travelers who arrive at airport security without federally compliant identification. Although REAL ID has been officially required since May 2025, TSA has until now allowed travelers to proceed with a warning and additional screening.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), roughly 94% of U.S. travelers already have REAL ID compliant credentials. Officials say the new fee is intended to push the remaining travelers to upgrade their IDs before future travel.
What Is REAL ID?
REAL ID is a federally compliant, state issued driver’s license or identification card created after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to strengthen identity verification standards.
Most states mark REAL ID cards with a white star inside a yellow circle.
To obtain one, travelers must bring additional documents such as proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number to their local motor vehicle agency. Although the program was originally set to launch in 2008, nationwide implementation has faced over a decade of delays.
How the $45 Confirm.ID Fee Works
Starting Feb. 1, passengers 18 and older traveling domestically must either present a REAL ID or provide another acceptable form of identification (e.g., passport, military ID, permanent resident card, digital ID).
If not, they can choose to pay the $45 fee for TSA’s Confirm.ID verification process.
Key details include:
- Fee is non-refundable
- Approval is not guaranteed if TSA cannot verify identity, the traveler may be denied entry
- Approved identity verifications last for 10 days, covering round-trip travel
- Fee can be paid online in advance or at the airport
- Process may take up to 30 minutes at the airport
TSA originally proposed an $18 fee, but raised it after determining that the program costs were higher than expected.
Accepted Alternatives to REAL ID
Travelers can avoid the fee by bringing one of the following:
- U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- Military ID
- Permanent Resident Card
- Photo ID issued by federally recognized tribal nations
- Digital IDs in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet (accepted at 250+ airports)
