If you’re planning on catching any flights next year, you’re going to want to make sure you’re not doing so without this required document. The Transportation Security Administration announced on Monday, December 1st, that travelers going through airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID or passport will face a $45 fee beginning February 1, 2026.
The fee is part of TSA’s next phase of the federal REAL ID requirements.
While more than 94% of passengers already have a compliant form of identification, TSA says too many travelers still arrive with a standard license, leading to longer lines and time-consuming manual screening.
Passengers who don’t have a compliant form of identification–either a REAL ID, an Enhanced Driver’s License, or a passport–will now have to verify their identity through TSA’s new biometric or biographic system before they’re permitted through security.
The new fee covers administrative and IT costs tied to the upgraded verification system and is “necessary,” according to TSA deputy executive assistant administrator for security operations Steve Lorincz, who told ABC News the agency needed to modernize and secure the process. Still, it’s much higher than the $18 originally proposed in the Federal Register last month.
While the REAL ID deadline was May 7, 2025 after years of delays, so far, travelers without one have been allowed to proceed with additional screening and a warning–but that will no longer be the case starting next year.
Once the rule goes into effect, individuals traveling without a REAL ID will be required to go to TSA.gov and complete the Confirm.ID steps online–either before arriving at the airport or on the spot–then pay the $45 fee.
After completing the verification, travelers will receive an email confirmation to show a TSA officer before being allowed through the checkpoint. The process typically takes 10-15 minutes but can take up to 30 minutes depending on airport demand.
TSA emphasizes that even after paying the fee, approval is not guaranteed.
If the system can’t verify your identity, you will not be allowed through security. Travelers who show up in line without an acceptable form of ID–including those whose ID was unexpectedly lost or stolen–will be forced to leave the line and complete the online verification before reentering.
The $45 fee covers your travel for up to 10 days. After that, if you fly again without a REAL ID, you’ll need to pay the fee again. To avoid all of this, TSA is urging Americans to schedule a DMV REAL ID appointment as soon as possible.
If you’re still unfamiliar with the REAL ID, here’s what you need to know:
What is a REAL ID?
A REAL ID is a federally compliant driver’s license or identification card that meets stricter security standards established after 9/11. It’s issued by your state DMV and typically marked with a star (often a white star in a yellow circle).
As of the REAL ID deadline of May 7, 2025, every traveler 18+ must present a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly domestically.
You can also use other REAL ID compliant documents to travel, including:
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST cards
- Permanent resident card
- U.S. military ID
- Accepted tribal nation photo ID
- Certain digital IDs in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet (accepted at 250+ airports)
How do I Know If I Have a REAL ID?
Check the top right corner of your license or ID card. If it has a star, it’s a REAL ID (and no, a Costco membership card does not count!). If it does not have a star, or says “Not for Federal Identification,” it is not REAL ID compliant.
You can also confirm through your state’s REAL ID DMV page, where you’ll find sample images and ID-type lookup tools.
Do I Need a REAL ID if I Have a Passport?
No. A valid U.S. passport or passport card meets all TSA security requirements for domestic flights.
However, travelers often choose to still get a REAL ID as a convenient day-to-day backup, especially if they don’t want to risk forgetting their passport and being hit with the $45 verification fee.
How to Get a REAL ID (and avoid the $45 fee)
To complete a REAL ID application, most states require you to visit a DMV in person and bring the following:
- Proof of identity – U.S. passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card
- Proof of Social Security – Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub with full SSN
- Two proofs of residency – Driver’s license or non-driver ID, Bank statement, Printed utility bill, Printed credit card statement, Pay stub (PO boxes are not accepted & documents must be issued within the last year)
- Name-change documents – Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order (if applicable)
States like New York also allow you to renew early specifically to upgrade to a REAL ID or Enhanced Driver’s License, even if your regular license has not expired.