New $45 Airport Fee Starting February 1, 2026: What You Need to Know About REAL ID

If you’re planning to fly anywhere in the United States this year, you need to know about REAL ID. This isn’t new—the requirement has been in the works since 2005—but enforcement finally began in May 2025, and as of February 1, 2026, the rules are getting stricter and more expensive if you’re not prepared.

Many travelers are confused about what REAL ID means for them, what happens if they don’t have one, and what their options are at the airport. Here’s everything you need to know to avoid delays, fees, and stress on your next trip.

What Is REAL ID and Why Does It Matter for Air Travel?

REAL ID is a federal security standard for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards established by the REAL ID Act of 2005, passed by Congress following the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations. The act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production.

In practical terms, REAL ID creates a more secure form of identification that’s harder to forge or obtain fraudulently. States must verify your identity documents more thoroughly before issuing a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card.

Starting May 7, 2025, TSA began requiring REAL ID-compliant identification (or acceptable alternatives like a passport) for all travelers aged 18 and older to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.

The New TSA $45 ConfirmID Fee Explained

Here’s where things changed recently. REAL ID enforcement began May 7, 2025, but starting February 1, 2026, TSA will charge a $45 fee to travelers who show up without a REAL ID or other acceptable identification.

This changes the game significantly. Before February 1, 2026, if you showed up without proper ID, TSA would work with you to verify your identity through alternative methods at no charge (though it took lots of extra time). Now, that service costs money.

How the $45 Airport ID Fee Works

Travelers will be able to pay $45 to use TSA ConfirmID for a 10-day travel period. This means you’re not grounded if you don’t have a REAL ID, but you’ll pay for the privilege of flying without one.

The fee covers a 10-day travel window, so if you’re taking a round-trip vacation, one payment covers both flights. However, if your return flight is more than 10 days after your outbound flight, you’ll need to pay the fee twice.

The $45 fee is non-refundable. If TSA can’t successfully verify your identity through the ConfirmID process, you won’t fly and you won’t get your money back. That’s a risk you probably don’t want to take.

What to Expect with TSA ConfirmID Screening Process

If you choose to use (or are forced to use) TSA ConfirmID, prepare for extra time at the airport. TSA warns travelers undergoing TSA ConfirmID screening to expect delays, possibly 30 minutes or more.

The process involves biometric or biographic identity verification. TSA will ask you questions about your identity, background, and travel history that only you should know. They may take your photo and verify it against databases. The whole process is more invasive and time-consuming than simply showing a REAL ID or passport.

TSA recommends paying the fee online before arriving at the airport, though as of early January 2026, the payment portal is still being rolled out. Paying in advance may speed up the process slightly, but you’ll still face additional screening time.

If you have tight connections, early morning flights, or travel during busy periods, the extra 30+ minutes could mean missing your flight. The hassle and stress aren’t worth saving the cost of getting proper identification.

How to Tell If You Have a REAL ID Driver’s License

Many people already have REAL ID-compliant licenses or state IDs and don’t realize it. If there is a star on your driver’s license or state ID card, you have a REAL ID-compliant card. The star may be black or gold, completely filled in or only an outline.

Check your license right now. Look for a star symbol, usually in the upper corner. If you see it, you’re all set. No action needed.

If you don’t see a star, or if your license has a notation like “Not for Federal Identification,” you have a standard license and need to upgrade to REAL ID or use an alternative form of identification for flying.

Some states automatically issue REAL ID-compliant licenses now, while others give you the choice between standard and REAL ID when you renew. If you got or renewed your license in the past few years, there’s a good chance it’s already REAL ID-compliant.

TSA Accepted ID Alternatives to REAL ID for Flying

You don’t necessarily need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. TSA accepts several alternatives for domestic flights:

U.S. Passport or Passport Card

This is the most common alternative and what many travelers already carry. If you travel internationally, you already need a passport, so you’re covered for domestic flights too. Even if you only travel domestically, a passport works perfectly and is valid for 10 years.

Other Acceptable Forms of Identification for Airport Security

Military ID – Active duty military, retirees, and dependents with valid military identification can use these for air travel.

DHS Trusted Traveler Cards – If you have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, your trusted traveler card is accepted.

Federally Recognized Tribal ID – Members of federally recognized tribes can use their tribal identification cards.

Digital ID – At select airports, travelers can use digital ID passes available through Clear, Apple, and Google. This option is expanding but isn’t available everywhere yet.

If you have any of these alternatives, you don’t need to get a REAL ID driver’s license. Many frequent travelers simply use their passport for all flights, domestic and international, rather than worrying about state ID requirements.

How to Get a REAL ID License: Step-by-Step Process

If you decide you want a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID, the process varies slightly by state but follows the same general pattern:

Required Documents for REAL ID Application

Visit your state’s DMV or motor vehicle agency website to check specific requirements. You’ll need to bring documentation proving:

Identity (usually birth certificate or passport)
Social Security number (Social Security card or W-2)
Proof of residency (utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage documents – usually need two proofs)

You must appear in person – you cannot get a REAL ID by mail, even for renewals. Bring original or certified copies of documents; photocopies typically aren’t accepted.

REAL ID Fees and Processing Time

The fee varies by state. Some states charge the same as a standard license, while others charge a small additional fee (usually $5-30) for REAL ID compliance.

Processing time depends on your state. Some issue the REAL ID on the spot; others mail it within a few weeks. During the waiting period, you’ll receive a temporary license, but check whether that temporary license is REAL ID-compliant for flying purposes – in some states it is, in others it’s not.

Many states allow you to start the application online, uploading documents for pre-verification before your in-person visit. This can speed up the process significantly.

How to Avoid the $45 TSA Fee: Best Options for Travelers

Don’t rely on the $45 ConfirmID option for regular travel. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. The fee adds up quickly if you fly several times per year, and the potential for delays or denied boarding just isn’t worth the risk.

Instead, take one of these actions now:

Check your current license for a star. If you have it, you’re done. No action needed.

If you’re traveling soon and don’t have a REAL ID, use your passport for domestic flights. Problem solved immediately with no DMV visit required.

If you don’t have a passport and travel domestically several times per year, get a REAL ID at your next license renewal, or schedule a visit to your DMV to upgrade now if your license doesn’t expire soon.

If you travel internationally at all, keep your passport current and use it for all flights, domestic and international. This is simpler than juggling multiple forms of ID.

REAL ID Requirements for Domestic Flights: What You Need Before Traveling

The absolute worst time to discover you don’t have acceptable identification is when you’re standing in the TSA line trying to get to your flight. By then, your options are limited to paying $45, enduring extra screening, potentially missing your flight, or not flying at all.

Pre-Flight ID Checklist

Check your identification now, before you book your next trip. If you need to get a REAL ID or renew your passport, do it with plenty of time before your travel dates. The DMV and passport processing take time, especially during busy seasons.

This is especially important if you’re booking travel for later this year. We’ll help you plan every detail of your trip, but we can’t fix an ID problem at the airport. Make sure your identification is sorted well in advance.

Airport Security Changes February 2026: Bottom Line

REAL ID enforcement is here, and as of February 1, 2026, it comes with a $45 price tag if you’re not prepared. The days of showing up with any old license and figuring it out at security are over.

The good news? Compliance is straightforward. Check for the star on your license, use your passport, or visit your DMV to get a REAL ID. Any of these options works perfectly and saves you from fees, delays, and stress.

Don’t let identification issues disrupt your travel plans. Take time today to check your license and make sure you’re ready for your next flight. Your future self—standing in the TSA line—will be VERY VERY grateful that you did.