TSA to Charge $45 Fee for Travelers Without Real ID or Equivalent ID Starting Feb. 1

Adults who show up at U.S. airport security checkpoints without a Real ID–compliant driver’s license, a passport or another federally accepted credential will soon face a new expense. Beginning Feb. 1, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will collect a $45 fee from travelers aged 18 or older who need to verify their identity through the agency’s optional ConfirmID system before they can proceed to their flights.

The charge marks the first time the TSA has attached a monetary penalty to non-compliance with forthcoming Real ID rules. The Department of Homeland Security has set May 7, 2025 as the date when every adult passenger must present a Real ID driver’s license or another acceptable document to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities. The earlier fee date is designed to push reluctant travelers to update their identification in advance.

How ConfirmID Works—and When Travelers Pay Twice

ConfirmID allows passengers who lack compliant documents on the day of travel to complete an additional identity verification process. The $45 payment establishes a 10-day validity window. If the outbound and return segments of a trip fall outside that period, the passenger must pay a second $45, bringing the total cost to $90.

For example, a vacationer spending two full weeks in Honolulu would pay the initial fee departing the mainland and, because the return flight occurs after day ten, another fee for the trip home. The TSA recommends paying online in advance at tsa.gov/ConfirmID to avoid checkpoint delays that could extend up to 30 minutes and risk missed flights. On-site payment remains possible, but processing times vary by airport.

Real ID Basics

Real ID cards are state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards that incorporate security features established under the Real ID Act of 2005. They are typically marked with a star on the upper portion of the card and are intended to reduce the use of fraudulent documents.

Travelers may also satisfy the federal requirement with a U.S. passport, passport card, active-duty military ID, Department of Homeland Security trusted-traveler credential or other documents listed by TSA. Children under 18 do not need identification when traveling within the United States, although individual airlines may maintain separate rules.

Compliance Gap and Revenue Forecast

The TSA estimates that roughly 6 percent of the flying public still lacks a Real ID or an alternative acceptable credential. In a regulatory filing dated Dec. 2, the agency projected that ConfirmID will be used about 10.6 million times over five years. At $45 per use, revenue would approach $476 million, funds the TSA says will cover administrative expenses connected to identity verification.

The Dec. 2 filing updated an earlier analysis released on Nov. 13 that anticipated an $18 fee. The TSA has not publicly detailed the reasons for raising the amount to $45 within weeks of the initial estimate but plans to review the charge every two years and adjust it to match compliance levels and program costs.

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Financial Impact on Families and Low-Income Travelers

Consumer advocates warn that the fee will fall hardest on passengers with limited resources and on families with multiple adults. A household of four in which each traveler is at least 18 could pay more than $200 in ConfirmID fees on a journey lasting longer than ten days. Critics argue that the added cost compounds existing expenses such as seat selection, baggage and ticket change fees already common in the airline industry.

The alternative—obtaining a Real ID—generally costs less. Fees differ by state: in New Jersey, for instance, a Real ID driver’s license is $35. However, documentation requirements and appointment availability at departments of motor vehicles vary, and processing may take several weeks, underscoring the importance of planning ahead.

TSA Rationale for the Fee

Agency officials contend that ConfirmID shifts administrative expenses away from the general taxpayer. In a recent statement, TSA leadership said passengers who arrive unprepared should bear the cost of the added verification work performed by officers and contractors.

Steps Travelers Can Take Now

• Verify whether your current driver’s license or state ID carries the Real ID star emblem. If not, schedule an appointment at your state’s licensing agency and bring the required documents, typically including proof of identity, Social Security number and residency.
• If your trip occurs before you can obtain a Real ID, ensure you have a valid U.S. passport or another accepted credential.
• Should neither option be possible, complete the ConfirmID process online well before departure, save the Pay.gov receipt and set aside extra time at the airport.

Airlines and airports are preparing for questions and potential bottlenecks at checkpoints as the fee takes effect. Industry groups advise passengers to arrive earlier than usual during the transition period, especially at busy hubs, to accommodate possible surges in ConfirmID users.

With fewer than three months until the TSA begins collecting the $45 charge, federal and state agencies continue public-awareness campaigns to shrink the remaining compliance gap. Nonetheless, millions of travelers may still face the choice between paying the new fee or rescheduling flights if their identification is deemed insufficient.

Crédito da imagem: Allen J. Schaben | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images