The Transportation Security Administration is introducing a new backstop for travelers who show up at the airport without a compliant ID, but it will not come cheap or quick.

Starting February 1, 2026, passengers who arrive at security checkpoints without a REAL ID compliant license or other acceptable identification will be able to complete a ConfirmID verification process for a 45 dollar fee.

The option is meant to keep people from being turned away outright, yet it comes with warnings about longer waits, limited payment methods and no guarantee of making a flight.

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From REAL ID Enforcement To A Paid Backup: How We Got Here

The new fee based ConfirmID option arrives less than a year after the United States fully implemented federal REAL ID requirements for commercial air travel. As of May 7, 2025, every traveler aged 18 and older must present a REAL ID compliant state driver’s license or identification card, a passport, or another approved credential to clear airport security. Non compliant state IDs alone are no longer sufficient for boarding a domestic flight.

For the first months of enforcement, TSA relied on additional screening and manual identity checks for travelers who arrived with non compliant IDs or no identification at all. Those ad hoc procedures often involved lengthy questioning and cross checking personal data against databases, and in some cases resulted in passengers missing flights or being denied entry to the checkpoint altogether.

Officials have framed the new 45 dollar ConfirmID process as a way to standardize that backup pathway while shifting some of the cost to travelers who did not secure proper documents in advance. TSA stresses that the primary expectation remains unchanged. Passengers are supposed to arrive with a REAL ID compliant license or other acceptable ID and should treat the fee based verification as an emergency measure, not a routine workaround.

What The 45 Dollar ConfirmID Fee Actually Covers

ConfirmID is essentially a modernized identity verification system layered on top of existing security checks. If a traveler cannot present a REAL ID compliant credential or another approved document at the checkpoint, they may be referred into this process, which uses biographical data, questioning and secure government databases to confirm identity before screening continues.

The 45 dollar charge is set as a flat fee that applies per use and covers up to a 10 day travel period. That means a traveler flying multiple times during that window can, in principle, rely on the same confirmation rather than paying again for each segment. The fee is not a government fine in the legal sense, but it operates as a service charge to cover the added costs and staffing needed to conduct the extra verification.

TSA officials say the price point is aimed at balancing deterrence with flexibility. The agency wants passengers to feel a strong incentive to obtain proper identification well before their trip, while still giving those who genuinely misplace their wallet or forget a document a way to fly. Consumer advocates, however, have already questioned whether the amount unfairly penalizes infrequent or low income travelers who may struggle with both the fee and the underlying costs of securing compliant ID.

How The Process Works At The Airport

On the day of travel, a passenger without acceptable ID will be stopped at the document check position, where officers verify boarding passes and identification. Instead of being automatically turned away, the traveler will be evaluated for eligibility for ConfirmID. If approved, they will be routed to an officer trained to conduct the verification, and in busier terminals this may occur in a separate, dedicated lane or secondary screening area.

The ConfirmID process can involve providing personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, current address, and answers to questions drawn from public or governmental records. Travelers may be asked about past addresses, loan providers or other life details designed to help confirm identity. In some airports, biometric checks may also be layered into the procedure, depending on what technology is deployed locally.

Only after a traveler’s identity is successfully verified are they allowed to proceed to the standard physical security screening. TSA has warned that this sequence can be lengthy, particularly at peak travel times or at airports that have limited staffing dedicated to ConfirmID. The agency has been explicit that completion of the process is not guaranteed, and passengers who cannot be confidently matched to records may still be denied access to the checkpoint.

Expect Longer Lines And Tight Timing If You Rely On ConfirmID

The potential for longer waits is one of TSA’s central messages as the fee rolls out. Even at airports that are investing in new kiosks or streamlined workflows, ConfirmID still adds a separate step before the standard security check. Officers must conduct additional questioning, interact with secure databases and sometimes coordinate with supervisors, all of which takes time that will grow as more passengers request the option.

Industry officials and airport executives are warning that travelers who arrive at the terminal without acceptable ID should assume they will need significantly more time than usual. That could mean arriving at least three hours ahead of departure, even for domestic flights, if there is any possibility of entering the ConfirmID queue. In large hubs that already struggle with morning and holiday surges, a cluster of such cases in a short window could create visible backup at the front of security lanes.

A further complication is that TSA officers must balance the specialized ConfirmID flow with their responsibility to keep standard screening moving. That means ConfirmID cases could be de prioritized when general passenger volumes spike, leaving travelers who depend on the backup option waiting even longer. Officials are clear that the paid verification is not intended to function as an express line or a guaranteed pass through.

Limited Payment Options Put Extra Pressure On Unprepared Travelers

Another key point for travelers is that the 45 dollar fee cannot simply be paid on the spot with cash at the checkpoint. TSA has indicated that payment must be processed electronically, primarily through the federal pay.gov system. In practice, that means passengers have to complete the transaction online and present either a digital confirmation or printed receipt at the airport.

Acceptable payment methods are expected to include standard credit and debit cards and popular digital wallets such as PayPal or Venmo. Some bank account transfers through pay.gov may also be supported. Cash is not accepted, and officials have said that they will not be handling physical payments within the checkpoint area. That restriction is partly aimed at security and efficiency, but it creates a serious obstacle for travelers who are unbanked, underbanked or who simply do not travel with digital payment tools.

TSA is strongly encouraging passengers who know in advance that they lack a REAL ID compliant credential to pay the fee online before heading to the airport. Doing so should shorten the on site process because officers will not have to delay verification while passengers fumble with phones, connectivity issues or unfamiliar payment pages. Those who arrive at the checkpoint without both acceptable ID and a workable payment method may be turned away even if they would otherwise qualify for ConfirmID.

Who Will Be Most Affected By The New Policy

Frequent travelers who already hold passports, REAL ID compliant licenses, or digital ID credentials are unlikely to be affected on a regular basis. TSA estimates that a large majority of current passengers already present acceptable ID at checkpoints, and that proportion is expected to rise as states continue to issue REAL ID compliant cards and public awareness grows after the May 2025 enforcement date.

The impact will fall most heavily on infrequent flyers, late adopters of REAL ID, and people who rely on older or non compliant state licenses as their sole form of identification. Rural residents who travel occasionally, students who move often and may not update documentation, and travelers who have recently lost or had their IDs stolen may also be disproportionately represented in the ConfirmID pool.

Consumer advocates and some state officials have raised concerns about equity implications, arguing that communities that already face barriers in obtaining passports or upgraded licenses will now encounter an additional financial and procedural hurdle at the airport. For travelers who only fly once every few years, the 45 dollar fee can represent a significant percentage of the overall cost of a trip, particularly on low fare routes.

How To Avoid The Fee And Keep Your Trip On Track

TSA’s consistent message remains that the most reliable way to avoid disruption is to arrive at the airport with an acceptable form of identification. That includes REAL ID compliant state driver’s licenses and ID cards, U.S. passports and passport cards, permanent resident cards, military IDs, certain trusted traveler cards, and recognized foreign passports. Many states also issue enhanced driver’s licenses that meet federal standards, and TSA has been expanding acceptance of secure mobile driver’s licenses and approved digital IDs stored on smartphones and other devices.

Travelers who are unsure whether their card is REAL ID compliant are urged to look for the symbol printed on the front, typically a star or similar icon near the top corner. If there is any doubt, state motor vehicle agencies and TSA customer service lines can clarify whether a specific credential will be accepted at the checkpoint after May 2025. Because processing times for new IDs and passports can stretch for weeks, especially during peak renewal seasons, officials advise applying well ahead of any planned air travel.

On the day of travel, passengers should keep their ID in a consistent, secure location, such as a dedicated pocket in a carry on bag, to reduce the risk of forgetting it at home or misplacing it in the airport. Checking that wallet, passport or digital ID is in hand before leaving for the airport can prevent a costly interaction with ConfirmID later in the day. Travelers who discover an ID is missing only after arrival should immediately notify airline or airport staff and budget extra time for whatever backup process is available at that location.

What Travelers Should Watch As The Rollout Nears

With the February 1, 2026 start date for the fee approaching, travelers can expect more signage in terminals, social media campaigns and reminders from airlines and state motor vehicle departments. Airports may also begin publishing guidance about where ConfirmID processing will occur within their facilities and how it will interact with existing security lanes and PreCheck queues.

There may be differences in how quickly and extensively the system is adopted from airport to airport. Large hubs that serve as international gateways are likely to deploy additional staff and dedicated areas to manage ConfirmID traffic, while smaller regional airports may integrate the process more modestly into existing checkpoint layouts. Passengers who routinely use a particular airport should pay close attention to that facility’s specific instructions as implementation begins.

Travelers and consumer groups will also be watching closely to see whether the backup option causes measurable changes in overall wait times or missed flights. If many passengers treat the 45 dollar fee as an acceptable alternative to obtaining compliant ID, checkpoints could see significant new strain. Conversely, if the combination of cost, procedural friction and uncertainty proves an effective deterrent, ConfirmID may end up serving a relatively narrow slice of flyers, primarily those facing last minute emergencies or rare lapses.