Travellers who arrive at airport security without valid identification—such as a REAL ID, passport, or approved digital ID—will soon be required to pay a $45 verification fee. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the new rule will take effect on February 1, 2026. TSA officials said the fee, processed through pay.gov, will cover the cost of verifying a traveller’s identity, ensuring taxpayers do not fund the programme.
Why REAL ID Will Soon Be Mandatory
Anyone aged 18 or older will be required to show a REAL ID-compliant licence or another federally accepted ID, such as a passport. TSA officials noted that this update could lead to frustration, as millions of travellers still carry non-compliant identification.
The $45 fee will apply to travellers who must use the TSA’s Confirm ID system to verify their identity before being allowed through security checkpoints. The online verification process generally takes 10 to 15 minutes, but depending on airport conditions, it may last 30 minutes or longer. After paying the fee online, travellers will receive a confirmation to present at the checkpoint.
Steve Lorincz, TSA’s deputy executive assistant administrator for security operations, told ABC News that the fee is necessary to modernise and secure the system. “The fee was necessary because we needed to modernise the system. We needed to make sure that the system is safe,” he said. However, Lorincz cautioned that identity verification is not guaranteed. “We still need to go through the process to make sure that we verify who you are. And for whatever reason, if we can’t do that, then you can’t go through the process.”
A Short-Term Pass That You May Need Repeatedly
The $45 fee provides access through TSA checkpoints for up to 10 days. After that window, travellers flying again without a REAL ID or passport will need to pay the fee each time. TSA officials said discretion may be used only in rare emergencies and noted that the programme is expected to remain in place indefinitely.
Most Travellers Already Meet Requirements
Senior TSA officials told Newsweek that roughly 94 percent of passengers already use a REAL ID or another approved form of identification. They said the new fee is designed to motivate the remaining travellers to update their documentation. Officials encouraged anyone without a compliant ID to schedule an appointment with their state Department of Motor Vehicles as soon as possible.