TSA $45 REAL ID Fee (TSA ConfirmID): Who Pays, Accepted IDs and How to Avoid Delays
What the $45 TSA ConfirmID fee is, who has to pay it, which identification documents let you skip it, and practical steps to avoid delays at the checkpoint.
The short answer: since 1 February 2026, travelers aged 18 and older who arrive at a US airport security checkpoint without a REAL ID compliant license or another TSA accepted ID can use TSA ConfirmID, an alternative identity verification process that costs $45. The fee is paid online in advance through Pay.gov, is reported to cover a 10 day travel period, is non refundable and does not guarantee that you will be cleared to fly. You do not pay it if you show a REAL ID (marked with a star), a US passport or passport card, a trusted traveler card such as Global Entry, a military ID, a permanent resident card or another document on TSA's acceptable ID list. Children under 18 traveling with a companion on domestic flights do not need ID. The simplest way to avoid the fee and the delay is to carry one accepted ID.
This guide explains how REAL ID enforcement works, what ConfirmID involves, who pays, which IDs avoid the fee and how to plan your airport day.
REAL ID in brief
REAL ID is a federal standard for state issued driver's licenses and identification cards, set by the REAL ID Act of 2005. Full enforcement at TSA checkpoints began on 7 May 2025. Since then, a standard (non compliant) state license is no longer enough on its own to pass security for domestic flights.
How to tell if your license is REAL ID compliant
- Most compliant cards have a star in the upper right corner. The star may be gold or black, inside a circle, or inside a shape such as a bear (California) or state outline.
- Cards that are not compliant often say "Federal Limits Apply", "Not for Federal Identification" or similar.
- Enhanced driver's licenses (EDLs), issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington, are accepted even though they may not carry a star.
If you are unsure, check your state DMV's website, which explains what its compliant card looks like.
What TSA ConfirmID is
TSA ConfirmID is the program TSA introduced for adults who reach the checkpoint without an acceptable ID. TSA announced in January 2026 that travelers without REAL ID would have the option to pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID starting 1 February 2026, and in February 2026 reported that the program had been rolled out.
Before ConfirmID, travelers without acceptable ID could sometimes go through a free identity verification process at the checkpoint. That free process has been replaced by this paid one.
How it works
Based on TSA's program information as summarized in published reporting:
- Register and pay online through Pay.gov before you go to the airport, entering your legal name and your travel start date. Payment by card and some digital wallets is accepted; cash is not, and checkpoint officers cannot take payment.
- Keep your receipt, printed or on your phone.
- At the checkpoint, tell the officer that you do not have an acceptable ID and show your receipt.
- Identity verification. TSA attempts to confirm your identity, for example by asking for your name, date of birth and address and checking them against databases.
- Screening. If your identity is confirmed, you are screened. Expect that you may receive additional screening, such as a pat down and bag inspection.
If TSA cannot verify your identity, you will not be allowed through the checkpoint, and the fee is not refunded.
How long it covers
Published guidance on the program consistently describes the $45 payment as covering a 10 day travel period starting on the date you select, so a typical round trip within that window needs only one payment. A trip longer than 10 days means paying again for the return. Because the official TSA page could not be checked on the day this guide was written, confirm the exact validity rules on tsa.gov before you pay.
Who pays the $45 fee
| Traveler | Needs ConfirmID? |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) with a REAL ID compliant license or state ID | No |
| Adult with a US passport, passport card or other TSA accepted ID | No |
| Adult with only a non compliant state license, or no ID at all | Yes, if they want to try to fly without an accepted ID |
| Child under 18 traveling with a companion on a domestic flight | No; TSA does not require ID |
| International traveler with a valid foreign passport | No; a foreign government issued passport is accepted |
Each adult who lacks an accepted ID pays separately. One person can pay on behalf of another, as long as the traveler's details are entered correctly.
Lost or stolen ID
If your ID is lost or stolen just before a trip, ConfirmID is the route TSA offers for identity verification without an accepted document. Report the loss to the police or DMV, carry any other identifying documents you have, and allow plenty of extra time.
IDs that let you skip the fee
TSA accepts a range of documents besides REAL ID licenses. The most common are listed below. TSA's full and current list is on tsa.gov and may change, so check it before you travel.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| State issued | REAL ID compliant driver's license or ID card; enhanced driver's license (MI, MN, NY, VT, WA) |
| US passport documents | US passport book; US passport card |
| Trusted traveler cards | Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST |
| Military | US Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents |
| Immigration documents | Permanent resident card; Employment Authorization Card (I-766) |
| Other federal | Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC); Merchant Mariner Credential; Veterans Health Identification Card |
| Tribal | Tribally issued photo IDs and other acceptable tribal documents |
| Foreign | Foreign government issued passport; Canadian provincial driver's license and certain Canadian ID cards |
Digital IDs. TSA accepts some mobile driver's licenses and digital IDs at participating checkpoints. Availability depends on your state, your phone wallet and the airport, so carry your physical card as a backup.
Expired IDs. TSA has historically accepted some IDs for a limited period after expiry. Do not rely on this without checking TSA's current rules.
Temporary paper licenses issued while you wait for a new card are generally not accepted on their own.
The cheapest long term fix
If you fly more than occasionally, getting a REAL ID or a passport card is cheaper than paying $45 for each trip. Upgrading your license at the DMV usually requires proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), proof of Social Security number and two proofs of address. Appointment waits vary widely by state, so start early.
How to avoid delays at the airport
If you have an accepted ID
- Pack it where you can reach it, together with your boarding pass.
- Check the expiry date before your trip.
- If your license is not compliant, bring your passport instead. A passport card fits in a wallet and works for domestic flights.
If you will use ConfirmID
- Pay in advance. Do not plan to sort it out at the checkpoint. Choose your start date carefully so the travel period covers your trip.
- Arrive early. Verification can take extra time, and you may receive additional screening. Published guidance commonly suggests arriving at least two hours before a domestic flight.
- Bring supporting documents. Anything with your name and photo or address, such as a credit card, utility bill or expired license, may help.
- Keep your receipt handy for both the outbound and return flights.
- Avoid tight connections that require you to clear security again.
- Use PreCheck carefully. You will still need to complete ConfirmID verification if you lack an accepted ID.
General checkpoint tips
ID problems are only one cause of delays. Pack liquids in line with the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, keep electronics and spare batteries in your cabin bag as explained in our guide to carry on vs checked baggage, and check your airline's recommended arrival time. Traveling light helps too; our guide to packing for two weeks in a carry on shows how to keep liquids and electronics easy to reach.
A pre trip ID checklist
- Check whether your driver's license has a REAL ID star or is an enhanced license.
- If not, decide which accepted ID you will carry instead, such as a passport or passport card.
- Check the expiry date of the ID you plan to use.
- If you have no accepted ID, pay for TSA ConfirmID online in advance and choose a start date that covers your trip.
- Save or print the receipt.
- Plan to arrive early, at least two hours before a domestic flight if using ConfirmID.
- For international flights, carry your passport: ConfirmID and state licenses do not replace a passport abroad.
- Review our international travel checklist for everything else.
REAL ID and international travel
REAL ID and ConfirmID are about domestic flights and TSA screening. For international travel you need a valid passport book. A passport card is not valid for international air travel, although it can be used for land and sea crossings with Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Many countries also require your passport to be valid for a set period beyond your stay; our guide to the six month passport validity rule explains how to check.
Common misunderstandings
| Claim | What is actually the case |
|---|---|
| "Everyone must now pay $45 to fly" | Only adults without a REAL ID or other accepted ID pay, and only if they choose ConfirmID |
| "Paying the fee guarantees I can fly" | No. If TSA cannot verify your identity, you will not pass the checkpoint and the fee is not refunded |
| "Children need REAL ID" | TSA does not require ID for children under 18 traveling with a companion on domestic flights |
| "A passport is only for international flights" | A valid passport is one of the most widely accepted IDs at TSA checkpoints |
| "I can pay at the airport" | Payment is made online in advance; officers do not collect it |
Frequently asked questions
When did the TSA $45 fee start?
TSA ConfirmID, with its $45 fee, became available on 1 February 2026 for travelers without a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification.
Who has to pay the $45 TSA fee?
Adults aged 18 and older who want to fly without a REAL ID compliant license or any other TSA accepted ID. If you have a passport, passport card, trusted traveler card, military ID, permanent resident card or another accepted document, you do not pay.
Is the $45 ConfirmID fee refundable?
No. The fee is non refundable, including when TSA cannot verify your identity and you are not allowed through the checkpoint.
How long does one ConfirmID payment last?
It is described as covering a 10 day travel period from the start date you choose, which usually covers a round trip. Check the current terms on tsa.gov before you pay.
Do I need REAL ID if I have a passport?
No. A valid US passport or passport card is accepted at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights, so you do not need a REAL ID license and will not need ConfirmID.
Do children need ID to fly in the US?
TSA does not require children under 18 to show identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. Airlines may have their own rules, especially for unaccompanied minors, so check with your carrier.
Sources
- Transportation Security Administration, REAL ID: tsa.gov/real-id
- Transportation Security Administration, TSA ConfirmID and FAQs: tsa.gov/tsaconfirm-id
- Transportation Security Administration, press release on the $45 ConfirmID option from 1 February 2026 (January 2026): tsa.gov
- Transportation Security Administration, "TSA successfully rolls out TSA ConfirmID" (February 2026): tsa.gov
- Transportation Security Administration, acceptable identification at the checkpoint: tsa.gov
- California Department of Motor Vehicles, what a REAL ID looks like: dmv.ca.gov
- US Department of State, passport card uses: travel.state.gov