TSA to Charge $45 for Non-REAL ID Travelers Starting February 2026

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will impose a $45 fee on travelers who do not carry a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative document, effective February 1, 2026.

According to USA Today, the decision follows a TSA report showing that 94% of airline passengers already carry compliant identification, leaving the remaining 6% to follow alternative identity verification procedures.

The new fee is intended to cover the technical and administrative costs of the Confirm.ID program, a new electronic verification system that allows travelers to upload their documents before arriving at the airport. Travelers using this system must bring a copy of the Confirm.ID receipt to the security checkpoint, where they can proceed after presenting non-compliant documents and proof of completion.

Travelers who have not completed the Confirm.ID process in advance can do so at the airport, typically taking 10–15 minutes, and potentially up to 30 minutes. However, the TSA emphasized that registration in Confirm.ID does not guarantee identity verification or boarding, even after paying the fee. Confirm.ID compliance is valid for ten days from the traveler’s first trip in the itinerary.

Currently, travelers without a REAL ID undergo additional procedures, including verification of names and addresses, before being allowed through checkpoints. Acceptable documents include REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses, U.S. passports, permanent resident cards, Department of Defense IDs, veteran IDs, border crossing cards, and some documents issued by foreign governments or federally recognized tribes.

The TSA notes that the list of acceptable documents may change without notice, so travelers are advised to check the agency’s website before traveling.

This decision represents a new step in enforcing the REAL ID Act, which took effect in May 2025 and requires all air travelers to carry a compliant ID or an approved alternative.