How to Handle TSA's $45 Confirm.ID Fee and REAL ID Rules

Understanding the New TSA Policy Changes

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced a significant policy change that will impact millions of air travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant identification or another acceptable form of ID. Starting February 1, 2026, passengers arriving at airport security checkpoints without valid identification will be required to pay a $45 fee to use the new "Confirm.ID" alternative identity verification system. This update is part of the broader enforcement of the REAL ID requirements, which became fully effective on May 7, 2025.

The Enforcement of REAL ID Requirements

The full enforcement of REAL ID requirements marked a major shift in how travelers must present their identification at airport security checkpoints. As of May 2025, non-compliant state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards are no longer accepted at TSA checkpoints nationwide. This change is the latest phase in a two-decade-long effort by the government to strengthen identification requirements for domestic air travel. TSA officials have emphasized that the cost of verifying insufficient ID should fall on travelers, not taxpayers.

What Qualifies as Acceptable ID at Airport Security?

TSA maintains a comprehensive list of identification documents that are still acceptable at security checkpoints. According to the agency's official guidance, acceptable forms include:

• REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state photo identification cards
• U.S. passports or passport cards
• DHS trusted traveler cards (such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI)
• U.S. Department of Defense IDs
• Permanent resident cards
• Several other government-issued photo identifications

Travelers who are unsure whether their state-issued ID complies with REAL ID standards are advised to check directly with their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. It is important to note that temporary driver’s licenses do not qualify as acceptable identification for airport security purposes.

How the New TSA Confirm.ID Process Works

For travelers without compliant identification, the TSA's Confirm.ID service offers an alternative identity verification pathway at an additional cost. The $45 non-refundable fee covers a 10-day travel period, allowing for round-trip or multiple flights within that timeframe.

Adam Stahl, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA, explained that “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.”

Pre-Paying the Confirm.ID Fee on Pay.gov

To minimize delays, TSA strongly recommends that travelers without acceptable ID pre-pay the Confirm.ID fee online before arriving at the airport. While specific details about the payment process continue to emerge, the agency has indicated that passengers will soon be able to complete this transaction through Pay.gov. For those who arrive at the airport without having paid the fee in advance, information about how to pay will be available at marked locations near security checkpoints at most airports.

Expected Delays and Checkpoint Impact

Travelers who must undergo the Confirm.ID process should anticipate additional screening time. According to Money.com, passengers using Confirm.ID can expect the identity verification process to take 10 to 15 minutes on average. However, the TSA acknowledges that, in some cases, the process can take up to 30 minutes. This extra verification step will likely contribute to longer wait times, particularly at busier airports during peak travel periods. TSA officials have acknowledged that implementing this new procedure may initially disrupt normal checkpoint operations.

REAL ID Implementation Timeline

The REAL ID Act was signed into law more than 20 years ago but faced numerous implementation delays. Full enforcement finally began on May 7, 2025, under Secretary Kristi Noem. Currently, TSA reports that more than 94% of passengers already use REAL ID-compliant identification or other acceptable forms when traveling. The agency continues to urge the remaining travelers to obtain compliant identification through their state DMV offices to avoid potential travel disruptions and additional fees.

Traveling Without Any ID

Passengers who arrive without acceptable identification and decline to use the Confirm.ID service face significant obstacles. TSA guidelines indicate that travelers who choose not to provide adequate identification, decline to cooperate with the identity verification process, or whose identity cannot be confirmed will not be permitted to enter the security checkpoint, effectively preventing them from boarding their flights. For the most up-to-date information on identification requirements and the Confirm.ID program, travelers should visit the official TSA website at TSA.gov/real-id or TSA.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.