Starting February 1st, U.S. air travelers aged 18 and older flying domestically without a REAL ID will incur a $45 fee to use the TSA's alternative identity verification system, Confirm.ID.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that U.S. air travelers aged 18 and older flying domestically without a REAL ID will be charged a non-refundable $45 fee beginning February 1st. This fee is for using TSA's alternative 'Confirm.ID' system to verify identity, as the updated REAL ID has been required since May, although enforcement for fees is new. While 94% of passengers are already compliant, the fee aims to encourage others to obtain the federally compliant state-issued identification card, which is marked by a white star in a yellow circle. Passengers without a REAL ID or another accepted form of identification (such as a passport, military ID, permanent resident card, or certain digital IDs) will pay the fee. However, paying the fee does not guarantee verification, and travelers whose identities cannot be verified may still be denied boarding. If approved, the verification covers a 10-day travel period. The fee can be paid online before or at the airport, though airport payment may take up to 30 minutes. The initial proposed charge was $18 but was increased to $45 due to higher-than-anticipated program costs.
