TSA Implements REAL ID Policy — 2026 Passengers Without Acceptable ID Face $45 Fee
By Matthew Holloway |
Starting February 2026, air travelers arriving at TSA checkpoints without acceptable ID, such as a REAL ID or a passport, will face a $45 fee and be required to complete additional online identity verification, the agency confirmed Monday.
As reported by Fox News, a proposed rule published in the Federal Register had called for a lower fee amount of just $18. However, Senior TSA Officials told the outlet that upon careful review, the agency determined that higher-than-anticipated technology and operating costs necessitated the higher final fee.
The TSA announced the move on Monday in a press release, reiterating that the REAL ID law was signed and took effect over 20 years ago, and is now being fully implemented and enforced at the direction of President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, as of May 7, 2025.
Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA, Adam Stahl, explained, “Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail.”
According to the TSA, over 94 percent of U.S. passengers already use REAL IDs or another acceptable form of identification. However, passengers who do not provide an acceptable ID can expect increased wait times at Security Checkpoints. The agency listed over a dozen forms of acceptable identification in its release. A complete list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here.
Stahl noted, “The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are. Beginning February 1, travelers who do not present an acceptable form of ID at our security checkpoints and still want to fly can pay a $45 fee and undergo the TSA Confirm.ID process. This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer. The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights.”
The TSA has called upon travelers who do not possess a REAL ID to pay the fee in advance online before arriving at an airport. However, for those who do not, information on how to pay the fee and complete the TSA Confirm.ID process will be available at locations at or near TSA Checkpoints. The agency stressed that passengers completing the process at the airport should expect delays.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
