Travelers without Real ID will incur $45 TSA identity verification fee starting in 2026

Overview

Americans who arrive at airport security without a Real ID–compliant license or a valid passport will soon have to pay a $45 identity verification fee to proceed through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints. The charge applies to adults 18 and older and is tied to the federal rollout of stricter identification requirements for domestic air travel.

When the fee starts

The new TSA identity verification fee is expected to take effect on February 1, 2026. From that date, Real ID or another acceptable ID will be required for normal screening, and the paid verification route will function as a backup option.

How the program works

TSA is introducing a Modernized Alternative Identity Verification Program that checks passengers’ identities using biometric and biographic data when they lack acceptable ID. Travelers who use this process must pay a non‑refundable $45 fee before being allowed to continue to the security checkpoint.

The TSA describes the charge as a cost‑recovery measure for the technology and staffing needed to support its new identity verification system.

Why the fee is higher than first proposed

Earlier federal notices discussed an $18 fee for alternative identity verification, but the finalized amount has increased to $45 per person. Officials state that the higher figure is intended to fully cover the ongoing expenses of running the upgraded verification system and to encourage wider Real ID adoption among travelers.

Accepted IDs and current traveler behavior

A Real ID–compliant driver’s license or identification card, as well as a valid passport, will continue to satisfy TSA’s identification requirement for domestic flights. TSA estimates that the vast majority of U.S. air passengers already arrive at checkpoints with an acceptable ID, leaving only a small share who might need to rely on the paid verification option.

Author’s one‑sentence summary

A new TSA rule will charge adults $45 to verify their identity at airport security if they show up without a Real ID or passport, making compliance with updated federal ID standards more urgent for U.S. travelers.

Chicago Tribune — 2025-12-01