New $45 TSA Fee Hits Travelers Without REAL ID

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant ID will now be charged a $45 fee by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to obtain a ConfirmID, which allows them to attempt to pass through airport security. The ConfirmID is only valid for 10 days, and paying the fee does not guarantee access past the TSA checkpoint.

Why it matters

The new TSA ConfirmID fee is an attempt to encourage more travelers to obtain a REAL ID-compliant ID, which became mandatory for air travel in 2025. This fee could impact around 6% of passengers who do not currently have an accepted form of ID, potentially causing delays and frustration at airports.

The details

Starting February 1, 2026, travelers without a REAL ID, passport, or other approved form of identification will be charged a $45 fee to obtain a ConfirmID from the TSA. This ConfirmID verification process could take up to 30 minutes to complete. Once the ConfirmID expires after 10 days, travelers will have to go through the process again and pay an additional $45 fee.

• The REAL ID requirement for air travel went into effect on May 7, 2025.
• The new $45 TSA ConfirmID fee was implemented on February 1, 2026.

What’s next

The TSA has stated that this new fee will only affect around 6% of passengers, as the majority already use REAL ID or other accepted forms of identification. Travelers should ensure they have a REAL ID-compliant ID or other approved ID before arriving at the airport to avoid the additional $45 ConfirmID fee.