Additional Coverage:
- Travelers may have to pay $45 fee at airports in 3 days (themirror.com)
Heads Up, Travelers! Starting This Weekend, No REAL ID Could Cost You $45
Get ready to dig a little deeper into your pockets if you’re planning to fly domestically without a REAL ID. Beginning Saturday, February 1st, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is rolling out a new $45 fee for air travelers aged 18 and older who don’t have the updated identification or another approved form of ID. This charge is a significant jump from the initial $18 proposal and is designed to cover the operational costs of the TSA’s Confirm.ID system.
The REAL ID has been a long time coming. Originally mandated for domestic air travel back in 2008 following the September 11th terrorist attacks, its implementation faced numerous delays.
After years of setbacks, REAL IDs officially became mandatory for U.S. air travel in May 2025. Despite the grace periods and ample notice, a portion of the population still hasn’t made the switch, and they might be in for a surprise at the airport.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you show up at the airport without a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative, you’ll be on the hook for the non-refundable $45 fee. This covers the security verification process, which typically takes 10 to 15 minutes but can extend up to 30 minutes. Once completed, this verification is valid for 10 days.
However, a word of caution from the TSA: paying the fee doesn’t guarantee you’ll get on the plane. Passengers could still be denied boarding if their identity cannot be confirmed. To streamline your travel day, you can pay the fee online before even arriving at the airport.
Why the Push for REAL ID?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explains that this new charge is an incentive for travelers to get compliant. The good news is that 94% of passengers already present some form of acceptable identification.
For those who still need to obtain a REAL ID – identifiable by a white star within a yellow circle in most states – you’ll need to visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles with identity documentation, such as a social security card and proof of residence.
What Other IDs Will the TSA Accept?
Don’t have a REAL ID yet? No worries, there are plenty of other options the TSA will accept:
- State-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
- U.S. passport or passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID (including dependent IDs)
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- Acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S.
Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
- Mobile Driver’s Licenses (mDLs) from approved states (must be based on a REAL ID, EDL, or EID)
The TSA is also embracing the future of identification by accepting Apple Digital ID, Clear ID, and Google ID pass as part of its ongoing testing efforts to strengthen identity security.
So, before you head to the airport this weekend, double-check your ID to avoid any unexpected fees and ensure a smooth journey!
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- Travelers may have to pay $45 fee at airports in 3 days (themirror.com)