TSA Confirms New $45 Fee for Travelers Starting February 1

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed a new $45 fee that will begin on February 1, impacting air travelers who arrive at airport security without a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification.

Despite headlines suggesting the fee applies to all passengers, the reality is more specific — but still important for millions of travelers who may not yet be REAL ID–compliant.

What Is the New $45 TSA Fee?

The $45 charge is tied to TSA’s new identity-verification process known as ConfirmID.

If a passenger shows up at a TSA checkpoint without:

A REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or state ID, or
Another acceptable ID such as a U.S. passport

TSA will allow the traveler to attempt additional identity verification through ConfirmID for a nonrefundable $45 fee.

If identity cannot be confirmed, the traveler may still be denied access to the security checkpoint — even after paying the fee.

How TSA ConfirmID Works

Under the ConfirmID process:

Travelers without proper ID can pay $45 to undergo enhanced identity verification
Verification may include database checks and manual screening
The verification is valid for 10 days, meaning it can cover a round trip
Approval is not guaranteed, and processing can take significantly longer than normal screening

TSA warns that this process may add 30 minutes or more to airport security wait times, particularly during peak travel periods.

Who Has to Pay the $45 Fee?

You may be subject to the fee if:

Your driver’s license is not REAL ID compliant
You forget your acceptable ID at home
You rely on outdated or invalid identification

You will not pay the fee if you present:

A REAL ID–compliant license or ID
A U.S. passport or passport card
A Global Entry, NEXUS, or other trusted traveler card
A permanent resident card
Approved digital IDs (where accepted)

Why TSA Is Implementing This Fee

REAL ID enforcement has been delayed for years, but TSA is now moving forward with stricter compliance. The ConfirmID fee shifts the cost of additional identity verification away from taxpayers and onto travelers who do not arrive prepared with valid identification.

TSA’s message is clear: bring the correct ID, or pay extra — and risk delays.

How to Avoid the TSA $45 Fee

Travelers can avoid the fee entirely by:

Upgrading to a REAL ID–compliant license at their local DMV
Traveling with a valid U.S. passport
Checking ID requirements well before departure

For frequent travelers, carrying a passport is often the simplest backup option.

Final Thoughts

While the $45 fee does not apply to every passenger, it introduces a new cost and inconvenience for travelers who are unprepared. As REAL ID enforcement ramps up, showing up to the airport without proper identification could become both expensive and stressful.

If you’re flying this year, now is the time to double-check your ID — before TSA does it for you.