The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on Monday, December 1, that starting from February 1, 2026, passengers without a “Real ID” or other acceptable alternative identification will be required to pay a fee of $45 for identity verification at security checkpoints using the modern identity authentication system “TSA Confirm.ID”.
Currently, over 94% of air travelers use Real ID or other acceptable forms of identification while traveling, according to TSA. TSA anticipates that the wait times for passengers who do not provide acceptable forms of identification will increase.
Officials stated that passengers who fail to present the required identification at security checkpoints but still wish to board a flight will need to pay an additional $45 fee. This fee will cover the costs of the technology and administrative expenses needed for verifying their identity. This regulation ensures that the identity verification costs for these individuals are borne by the passengers themselves, not taxpayers.
For the new identity verification process “TSA Confirm.ID”, passengers can complete it online before arriving at the airport. These passengers should carry the receipt of “TSA Confirm.ID” proof to proceed through the standard TSA security lanes and, after presenting proof of completion of the “TSA Confirm.ID” process along with non-compliant documents, can typically pass through security as usual.
Passengers who have not completed the “TSA Confirm.ID” process beforehand can choose to do so at the airport. Most airport security points or nearby areas have signs providing information on how to pay for “TSA Confirm.ID”. However, passengers undergoing “TSA Confirm.ID” processing at the airport may experience delays. TSA officials mentioned that identity verification typically takes 10-15 minutes but may sometimes extend up to 30 minutes depending on individual circumstances.
Completing the “TSA Confirm.ID” process does not guarantee that TSA will verify the passenger’s identity. Therefore, even if the fee has been paid, passengers may still be denied boarding if the government is unable to complete the identity verification.
According to TSA officials, using “TSA Confirm.ID” as an alternative compliant method has a payment validity period of 10 days, starting from the first leg of the journey.
As of December 1, TSA has listed the following as acceptable forms of identification:
– Driver’s licenses or state-issued photo identification cards that comply with Real ID standards (issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent state agencies);
– Enhanced Driver’s Licenses or Enhanced IDs issued by state governments;
– U.S. passports or passport cards;
– Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trusted Traveler Cards, such as Global Entry;
– Permanent Resident Cards;
– Border Crossing Cards;
– Photo identification cards issued by federally recognized tribes/Native American tribes;
– U.S. Department of Defense identification cards (including for spouses and dependents);
– HSPD-12 PIV Cards;
– Foreign government-issued passport cards;
– Canadian provincial driver’s licenses or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada cards;
– Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC);
– Employment Authorization Document (I-766) issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;
– Merchant Mariner Credentials;
– Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC).
TSA advises that the list of acceptable forms of identification may change without prior notice, so passengers using Real ID as an alternative should check the official TSA website before traveling to confirm the latest regulations.
The U.S. Real ID Act has been in effect since May 7 of this year. TSA does not require minors under 18 to present identification when traveling within the United States. However, the specific enforcement may vary depending on the airline. TSA urges passengers to check if their airline requires minors to present identification on the flights they are boarding.