TSA to Launch $45 Identity Verification Option for Travelers Without REAL ID on February 1

TSA to Launch $45 Identity Verification Option for Travelers Without REAL ID on February 1

The Transportation Security Administration has finalized a new paid identity verification pathway for air travelers who arrive at airport checkpoints without a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification.

After first proposing an $18 fee earlier this year, TSA confirmed on December 1 that the final cost will be $45, with the program officially launching on February 1, 2026. The system will operate under a new program called TSA ConfirmID, replacing the informal and inconsistent manual identity checks used for more than two decades.

The update clarifies how TSA plans to manage travelers who are not compliant with REAL ID requirements following the May 7, 2025, enforcement deadline.

From Discretionary Screening to a Paid Verification System

For years, travelers who arrived without acceptable identification were handled through ad-hoc secondary screening. That process relied heavily on manual reviews, call centers, and officer discretion, often producing inconsistent results across airports.

In a Federal Register notice published earlier this year, TSA outlined plans for a Modernized Alternative Identity Verification program, describing a technology-assisted process that could collect biographic or biometric data, perform backend identity matching, and check travelers against TSA’s Secure Flight watchlist.

At the time, the agency proposed an $18 fee and framed the program as a registered traveler mechanism under existing federal law. TSA cited the Aviation and Transportation Security Act and DHS Appropriations Act authority to justify charging a cost-recovery fee rather than seeking taxpayer funding.

That proposal has now evolved into a fully defined operational program with a higher price tag.

February 1 Launch and the $45 TSA ConfirmID Fee

According to TSA’s December 1 national press release, travelers who do not present an acceptable form of identification and still want to fly will be referred to the TSA ConfirmID process beginning February 1, 2026.

The fee to use TSA ConfirmID is $45, and successful identity verification is valid for 10 days, allowing travelers to complete multiple trips within that period.

TSA stated that the increased fee reflects the actual cost of operating the system and ensures that verification expenses are covered by the traveler, not taxpayers.

The agency also noted that participation does not guarantee access to the sterile area. Travelers may still face additional screening, delays, or denial if identity verification is unsuccessful.

What is the Final Fee: $18 or $45?

The confusion around pricing stems from the program’s rollout timeline.

• Initial proposal The Federal Register notice described an $18 fee as part of a cost-recovery model tied to a registered traveler framework.
• Final implementation The December 1 announcement confirms the fee has been increased to $45 to fully cover labor, technology, equipment, and backend verification services.

TSA emphasized that the fee increase ensures the program does not shift financial burden to the public and aligns with broader DHS policy on fee-based identity verification programs.

Who Will Be Referred to TSA ConfirmID

All travelers who fail to present an acceptable form of identification will be referred to TSA ConfirmID before entering the security line. This includes travelers who present a non-REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or ID.

The process will vary by airport, and TSA is working with private industry partners to offer online payment options ahead of arrival. Travelers who do not prepay will find payment instructions at designated checkpoint locations.

TSA warns that travelers using ConfirmID should expect longer wait times.

Acceptable Forms of Identification

TSA reiterated that the following forms of ID are accepted at checkpoints and do not require ConfirmID:

• REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state IDs
• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s Licenses or Enhanced IDs
• U.S. passports and passport cards
• DHS trusted traveler cards, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST
• U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including dependent IDs
• Permanent resident cards
• Border crossing cards
• Federally recognized Tribal Nation photo IDs and Enhanced Tribal Cards
• HSPD-12 PIV cards
• Foreign government-issued passports
• Canadian provincial driver’s licenses
• Transportation Worker Identification Credentials
• Employment Authorization Cards
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials
• Veteran Health Identification Cards

Temporary driver’s licenses are not accepted.

TSA estimates that more than 94% of travelers already present acceptable identification, but expects increased delays for those who do not.

REAL ID Enforcement and Policy Context

The REAL ID Act was signed into law more than 20 years ago, but faced repeated implementation delays. TSA confirmed that enforcement began May 7, 2025, under the current administration.

The ConfirmID program serves as a pressure-release mechanism for enforcement, offering a paid alternative instead of immediate denial at the checkpoint.

TSA leadership framed the program as a security measure rather than a convenience feature.

“Identity verification is essential to traveler safety,” said TSA senior official Adam Stahl, noting that the fee ensures verification costs are borne by the traveler rather than taxpayers.

Conclusion

With a February 1 launch date and a confirmed $45 fee, TSA has now formalized how it will handle travelers who arrive without REAL ID-compliant identification. What began as a proposed $18 option has become a fully priced identity verification system designed to su pport national enforcement without taxpayer funding.

Yeah, it definitely makes you wonder what identity verification setup TSA is using if it costs $45 per traveler.

For comparison, Searchbug’s pricing tells a very different story. A People Search API can run as low as $0.33 per hit, depending on monthly volume. A deeper Background Check API (including driver’s license records) is around $15. An OFAC Search is only $0.05 per query.

Just putting that out there (in case you have identity verification needs too, like the TSA).

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