The Transportation Security Administration has begun charging airline passengers $45 if they attempt to pass through airport security without a Real ID-compliant license or an approved alternative such as a passport, marking a significant shift in how the federal government enforces its long-delayed identification mandate. The fee, which took effect Feb. 1, applies to adults who rely on a new identity-verification system rather than presenting compliant documentation at the checkpoint.
Under the policy, travelers who lack acceptable identification must use TSA ConfirmID, a digital process that allows passengers to verify their identity without producing a Real ID at screening. The verification is valid for a 10-day travel window, meaning longer trips can trigger the charge more than once, potentially doubling the cost for a single journey.
"This is really an enforcement mechanism. It's a real penalty for travelers who arrive unprepared," said Sally French, a consumer travel expert at NerdWallet, underscoring that the fee is designed to push compliance rather than serve as a convenience option.
The requirement for Real ID-compliant licenses, identifiable by a star marking, stems from a federal mandate aimed at reducing identity fraud and strengthening aviation security. Starting in mid-2025, passengers must present a Real ID or an equivalent document to board domestic flights. The TSA's new charge represents the first time travelers have been financially penalized for failing to meet the requirement at the checkpoint.
Consumer advocates warn that the fee could disproportionately affect low- and moderate-income households. John Breyault of the National Consumers League said the cost structure mirrors other travel surcharges that quietly accumulate. "If you go to Honolulu for two weeks, you may have to pay on the way back, too," he said. "If it wasn't bad enough to be nickel-and-dimed by the airlines, now you're getting nickel-and-dimed by the TSA."
A traveler who pays the fee on departure and again on return would spend $90, while a family of four on a longer trip could face costs exceeding $200. Children under 18 are not required to present identification for domestic flights, but adults in the same party must comply individually, amplifying the burden on families.
The TSA says passengers can complete the ConfirmID process in advance through its website and present a receipt at the airport, a step the agency says can help avoid delays. Without advance completion, the process can take up to 30 minutes at the checkpoint, increasing the risk of missed flights.
The agency estimates that ConfirmID will be used about 10.6 million times over the next five years, generating roughly $476 million in revenue to offset administrative costs. The TSA has said it will reassess the fee every two years, noting that it initially proposed an $18 charge before settling on the higher amount.
Consumer advocates continue to urge travelers to obtain compliant identification ahead of their trips. In New Jersey, for example, a Real ID costs about $35, less than a single ConfirmID fee. As airfares and ancillary charges climb, the TSA's new policy adds another expense for travelers navigating an increasingly costly aviation system.
