TSA will charge $45 at the airport next year if you don't have a REAL ID

TSA airport fee without REAL ID

In early 2026, passengers who arrive at airport security without a REAL ID-compliant document may be charged an additional fee of about $45 to verify their identity on the spot. This charge is meant to offset the cost of extra screening steps needed when travelers do not bring acceptable identification.

What REAL ID means

REAL ID is a federally standardized form of identification, such as a compliant driver’s license or state ID, that meets specific security and data requirements. It is required for adults flying within the United States on domestic routes, unless they use an alternative approved document like a passport.

When the new fee starts

The new verification fee is expected to begin in February, once the updated identity-check process is activated at airport checkpoints. Travelers who continue to rely on non‑compliant IDs after that date risk both delays and the added cost if they need alternative screening at the airport.

Why TSA adds the charge

TSA plans to use the fee to cover equipment, personnel time, and other resources involved in confirming a traveler’s identity without a REAL ID. Since the alternative process is more complex than a standard document check, it is treated as an optional, paid service for those who arrive unprepared.

How travelers can avoid paying

Passengers can avoid the fee by securing a REAL ID from their state motor vehicle agency before flying or by carrying another accepted document such as a valid passport. Checking ID requirements ahead of travel and updating documents in advance helps prevent last-minute issues and unexpected charges at the checkpoint.

If you show up at the airport without a REAL ID or another accepted ID, you may still be allowed through security, but you could have to pay a fee for additional identity verification.

Author’s summary: Beginning in February 2026, U.S. air travelers who appear at TSA checkpoints without REAL ID-compliant identification may face a roughly $45 fee to cover more complex on-site identity verification procedures.

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WKYC WKYC — 2025-12-01

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