Beginning February 1, 2026, air travelers who do not have a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or a passport will be required to pay a fee to verify their identity through the TSA’s alternative system, Confirm ID. Passengers can complete the verification and pay the fee online before arriving at the airport or at a designated location within the airport. Once approved, the identity verification is valid for 10 days, after which travelers must pay the fee again for future trips without acceptable ID.
The fee, initially proposed at $18, has been increased to cover the higher-than-expected costs of operating the Confirm ID program, including technology and administrative expenses. The verification process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes but may take longer depending on airport security conditions. The Real ID Act, passed in 2005, began enforcement in 2025, requiring travelers to present compliant identification for domestic flights.
**Why this matters**
This new fee and verification process affect travelers who have not obtained a Real ID or passport, adding an additional cost and potential delay when flying domestically. Understanding acceptable forms of identification and planning ahead can help avoid last-minute complications at airport security checkpoints. The change underscores the importance of obtaining federally accepted IDs to streamline travel and security procedures.