Middlesex County Passport Office Offers Alternative to REAL ID

With TSA charging $45 to verify identities, county officials encourage residents to get a passport book or card.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:48am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Middlesex County Clerk's Passport Office is urging residents without a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to obtain a U.S. passport or passport card before traveling, as the Transportation Security Administration has begun charging a $45 fee to travelers who arrive at airport security without an approved form of identification.

Why it matters

The new TSA ConfirmID fee applies to domestic travelers who cannot present a REAL ID-compliant license, passport, or other approved document, potentially causing additional screenings and delays. The Middlesex County Passport Office provides an alternative for residents who have not yet upgraded to a REAL ID.

The details

Passports and passport cards both qualify as TSA-approved identification for domestic air travel. The Middlesex County Clerk's Passport Office, located in New Brunswick, offers both passport books and passport cards by appointment during regular business hours and extended hours on Tuesdays. Residents seeking a REAL ID-compliant license must apply separately through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

  • The TSA's new ConfirmID fee took effect on February 1, 2026.

The players

Middlesex County Clerk's Passport Office

A county office that provides passport books and cards as an alternative to REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency that oversees airport security and has implemented the new $45 ConfirmID fee for travelers without approved identification.

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

The state agency responsible for issuing REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, which are separate from the passport services provided by the county.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Residents in Middlesex County, New Jersey who need to travel by air and do not have a REAL ID-compliant license should make an appointment at the Middlesex County Clerk's Passport Office to obtain a passport book or card before their next flight.

The takeaway

The new TSA ConfirmID fee highlights the importance for New Jersey residents to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant license or obtain a passport as an alternative form of identification for domestic air travel. The Middlesex County Passport Office provides a convenient option for residents to secure a passport and avoid potential delays and additional screening at airport security.