Several weeks back, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced plans to add a new fee for those who don’t have an eligible ID they can use to clear airport security checkpoints. With this new policy being implemented in the coming days, we now have all the details of how this will work, and the webpage that enables this process is also up.
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TSA ConfirmID forces travelers pay to verify identity
In May 2025, we saw the TSA finally start to require passengers to have either a REAL ID or passport to travel by air, a mere 17 years behind schedule. Well, sort of. While that requirement was technically put in place, in reality, it’s still possible to travel without either of those documents, but you’re just subjected to extra identity verification.
On November 20, 2025, the TSA issued a notice, which was published in the Federal Register. With this, travelers without required identification documents have to pay a fee to have their identity verified, before they can pass through a checkpoint.
Specifically, this new program is known as ConfirmID, and it’s being implemented for travel as of February 1, 2026. With this, adults aged 18 years or older have to pay a non-refundable $45 fee to have their identity verified. The idea is that this uses biometric and biographic information to confirm someone’s identity.
Interestingly, the initial document suggested the fee would be $18, so this is quite a bit more expensive than expected. The TSA claims that the purpose of the fee is to fully recover the cost of implementing this program. Furthermore, the TSA hopes that the fee encourages more travelers to get a REAL ID, as currently 94% of US travelers are coming to an airport with an eligible ID.
How the TSA will verify the identity of travelers
How will this program work, exactly? The TSA is encouraging those without an eligible ID to complete the verification process and pay the fee online, before even arriving at the airport. The process can be carried out through this webpage. Once the verification process is complete, travelers will be given a receipt that they can give to the TSA agents, as part of the screening process. They’ll then be screened like any other passenger.
If a traveler arrives without an eligible ID or a receipt, they’ll be told to leave the security line, and complete the verification process. There will be QR codes near security checkpoints, so that travelers can complete the process on their own devices. Payments will be processed through pay.gov.
The intent is that the process of verifying identity will take 10-15 minutes, and that it includes a passport lookup option, as well as knowledge based verification questions. Those who choose not to use either option won’t be able to pass through security checkpoints.
My take on the TSA’s new identify verification system
I don’t think the requirement to travel with a REAL ID, passport, or other eligible ID is unreasonable. For those who don’t have one (and even those who just leave their ID at home), the process of verifying identity has long been manual, and takes quite a bit of effort.
So it seems fair to pass on that cost to travelers, and perhaps it’ll even act as a further incentive for people to finally make sure they get a REAL ID. For that matter, arguably there’s even a benefit here for those without an ID — they can complete their identity verification before even arriving at the airport, potentially speeding up the process.
Now, the $45 fee does seem rather steep, especially compared to the initially planned $18 fee. That’s particularly the case when you consider that this is seemingly just a basic website that verifies identity, so you wouldn’t think it’s that costly to run.
Either way, I think having some sort of more efficient system for verifying identity of travelers who don’t have an eligible ID is a good idea, so I’d view this as being a positive overall.
Bottom line
As of February 2026, the TSA is adding a $45 identity verification fee for those who show up at security without an eligible ID, like a REAL ID or passport. The idea is that identity verification is currently a manual process, but the TSA is introducing a new system for identity verification, which can even be completed before arriving at the airport.
This new system seems like an improvement to me, as it allows travelers to complete verification in a more consistent way, while freeing up TSA agents at the airport. The $45 cost does seem steep, though…
What do you make of this new TSA identity verification fee?
One of the most common post on this website is: …. “Lipstick on a pig” …. In this case a very fat, potbellied, Palm Beach brown species.
I suspect there will be some great videos on Facebook, Tik Tok, and other social media sites in the near future.
Doesn't apply to Delta passengers. Only United and American. As confirmed by Lil' Tim Dance.
For $45 these folks should get an ID that's reusable for the next few years.
Which well connected political donor got the no bid contract for this?
Just another sign of how backwards this administration is. If we think about it, the people who are least likely to have a real ID or also the least likely to be willing or able to pay this $45 fee. This disproportionally impacts lower income individuals, and individuals with disabilities who may have difficulty getting to their local motor vehicles division or similar. This is a government service, not a money maker, why don’t we show some empathy?
I've never understood the much-trotted-out 0.0001% argument that it's too difficult to get a proper piece of identification and it disproportionately affects yada yada yada. If you can't get to a DMV once in 5 years (and not even needed for renewal), you've got bigger problems. We can't design systems for the 1 basket case.
It's not unreasonable to require ID once you make that relatively easy to obtain. And it is at this point.
Travel itself is not a government service, and most tickets sold in the US include a fee that offsets some of the cost of providing TSA services. Whether you love or hate the system, last year the expense of providing aviation security was ~5 times the fees collected; this $45 fee isn’t going to close that gap and turn security into a “moneymaker.”
Where I live, adding a RealID to your driver license is only...
Travel itself is not a government service, and most tickets sold in the US include a fee that offsets some of the cost of providing TSA services. Whether you love or hate the system, last year the expense of providing aviation security was ~5 times the fees collected; this $45 fee isn’t going to close that gap and turn security into a “moneymaker.”
Where I live, adding a RealID to your driver license is only $8. If you have trouble getting to the DMV or the passport/post office, how are you going to manage navigating the airport?
I hear where you’re coming from, and I believe travel should be accessible to anyone, but these are not huge barriers to entry.
@Timtamtrak, the government can tax the rich to make up for it. Raise taxes and fees on private jets.
I mean, sure. They could tax lots of other things. I just don’t think a usage fee for something that is typically a choice [travel] is unreasonable or discriminatory.
I've become weirdly addicted to YouTube videos of irrational people being arrested in airports, and this is definitely going to cause more of those incidents. Nothing makes people more angry than randomly being asked for money.
I love it. It helps us identify and select out people from society who can't control themselves and act reasonably. A quick short cut to avoid encountering them elsewhere in life!
Why is it necessary to prove your identity if taking a plane? do you have to prove identity if travelling by train or bus? I have even flown between countries in Europe with nothing more than the QR code from an online boarding pass. Finland - Norway, Finland - Sweden. No ID, no passport, no face recognition, just show the QR code to the security barrier and again at the barrier at the gate.
You have the right to freedom of movement throughout the EU; however, airlines can choose to match ID to boarding passes if they so choose.
@Jerry - You have no idea whether the OP has right to free movement in Europe. Once there's no ID check at a specific airport/airline/route, it applies to everyone, even third country citizens without the freedom of movement rights.
Whether IDs are checked for trips within Europe depends on the state law (e.g. Nordics, DACH, PL, Baltics don't require it, while France and Spain do) and airline policies (Ryanair always checks IDs, LHG or KL...
@Jerry - You have no idea whether the OP has right to free movement in Europe. Once there's no ID check at a specific airport/airline/route, it applies to everyone, even third country citizens without the freedom of movement rights.
Whether IDs are checked for trips within Europe depends on the state law (e.g. Nordics, DACH, PL, Baltics don't require it, while France and Spain do) and airline policies (Ryanair always checks IDs, LHG or KL don't unless they have to). The equivalent to TSA checks is the former, not the latter.
If you’re here illegally you should not be allowed to fly!
Ok, we'll change the laws to make 'Dave Stafford' an "illegal," prohibition on bills of attainder be damned. You earned it.
Nothing to do with “illegals” these people have passport from their own country with is an acceptable form of ID to travel.
Follow the money. Who collects this $45 fee. What third parties make money off this. There is your answer as to why this is really happening. It's not about security, safety, or any other excuse.