What to know about the new TSA Real ID fee and when it starts

New TSA Real ID fee

Travelers in the U.S. who arrive at the airport without a Real ID or other acceptable identification will soon have to pay a $45 charge to fly on domestic routes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) introduced this fee as part of stricter identity verification measures for air travel.

When the fee begins

The new $45 fee is scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2026.
From that date, adults flying within the United States must present a Real ID–compliant license or another approved ID to avoid the extra charge.

Who must pay and in what cases

Passengers will be charged the $45 fee if they show up at security without a Real ID–compliant card or another acceptable document such as a valid passport, tribal ID, or certain other forms of government-issued identification. These travelers may still be allowed to board, but only after completing an additional verification process that the fee is meant to fund.

Real ID basics

A Real ID is a state-issued driver’s license or identification card that meets federal minimum security standards adopted after recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Real ID cards are typically marked with a star in the upper right corner, though some states use their own variant symbol, such as a bear-and-star icon. The requirement stems from the REAL ID Act of 2005 and now applies to adults 18 and older flying on domestic routes.

Why TSA is charging the fee

Officials say the $45 fee helps cover the added costs of verifying travelers who arrive without compliant identification. The amount is higher than earlier estimates of a smaller surcharge because expected expenses for extra screening and identity checks turned out to be greater than initially projected. As one TSA official explained, “We must ensure that every individual flying is who they claim to be,” and the fee shifts the cost of verifying an inadequate ID from taxpayers to the passengers who need the extra processing.

Online verification system

TSA plans to use an online platform, sometimes described as “Confirm.ID,” to manage the additional checks for travelers without Real ID or other approved documents. The platform is expected to launch ahead of the February 2026 start date and will support the identity verification process covered by the $45 fee.

Advice for travelers

Check your driver’s license or ID for a Real ID star or equivalent marking and confirm with your state’s motor vehicle agency if you are unsure whether it meets the federal standard.
If your current license was issued years ago, it may not meet today’s Real ID criteria, even if it is still valid for driving.
To avoid the $45 charge and possible delays at the checkpoint, update your license to a Real ID or travel with another accepted document like a valid passport well before your flight date.

“We must ensure that every individual flying is who they claim to be. This fee guarantees that the costs associated with verifying an inadequate ID will be borne by the traveler rather than the taxpayer.”

TSA’s new $45 Real ID fee starts February 1, 2026 and is designed to recoup the extra cost of verifying passengers who arrive at airport security without compliant identification, while encouraging travelers to update their IDs in advance.

Axios — 2025-12-01