Archive · 2 Dec 2025
TSA to charge $45 for travelers without REAL ID
Starting in 2026, people flying in the US who don't have a REAL ID, passport, or approved digital ID will have to pay a $45 fee.
This fee is for checking their identity before they can go through airport security.
The check takes about 10 to 30 minutes.
The fee is good for 10 days, but if they fly again without the right ID, they'll have to pay again.
Most people already have the right ID, but this new rule is to make sure everyone has one.
Kids under 18 don't need to show ID.
TSA will charge a $45 fee to travelers without REAL ID, passport, or approved digital ID starting February 1, 2026.
The fee covers the cost of verifying identity through the TSA Confirm ID system.
Verification typically takes 10-30 minutes and is valid for 10 days.
Approximately 94% of travelers already have compliant IDs.
Children under 18 are exempt from showing ID at airport checkpoints.
- Who
- Travelers 18 and older without REAL ID, passport, or approved digital ID
- What
- TSA will charge a $45 fee for identity verification
- When
- Starting February 1, 2026
- Where
- US airports
- Why
- To incentivize travelers to obtain REAL ID-compliant documentation and modernize the system
- Effective Date
- February 1, 2026
- Payment Method
- pay.gov
- Verification Time
- 10-30 minutes
- Validity Period
- 10 days
- Current Compliance Rate
- 94%
- Exemptions
- Children under 18
