Don’t Have a REAL ID? It’ll Cost You Next Time You Fly

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced that it will refer all passengers without a REAL ID to a new system, TSA Confirm.ID, to pay a $45 fee for identity verification. The good news is that most travelers have obtained an approved REAL ID since the new rules went into effect in 2025. Currently, more than 94 percent of passengers already use their REAL ID, but it does look like there’s another option on the way for the remaining 6 percent. If you still haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, here’s everything you need to know about the new system that will go into effect on February 1, 2026.

What Is Confirm.ID?

Confirm.ID is a new system that the TSA will roll out to verify travelers who do not have a valid REAL ID. This new system will cost passengers $45 and will be valid for 10 days. The process will vary from airport to airport, and we will know more once the date gets closer. Still, the TSA is working with a private industry to allow an early online payment process for travelers to pay before arriving at the airport. 

The verification is valid for 10 days. Travelers will upload their documents to the new TDA portal (coming soon) before they arrive at the airport. Then, they can show the receipt to the TSA agent to proceed through the security checkpoint. If your travel plans extend beyond 10 days, you will need to go through the Confirm process.ID process again for your return trip.

Acceptable Forms of ID:

Many travelers have a compliant driver’s license, but many other forms of ID are REAL ID compliant and will pass you through TSA with no issues:

• REAL ID- ID-compliant driver’s license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles 
• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
• U.S. Passport 
• U.S. Passport Card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID used by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license 
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariener Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

* Temporary driver’s licenses are not an acceptable form of identification. 

What Happens If I Don’t Have a REAL ID?

For travelers without a valid REAL ID, you may still be able to fly, as long as TSA can verify your identity. It’s essential to arrive at the airport early to allow yourself (and the TSA) sufficient time to verify your identity. Keep in mind that you may not be the only traveler without a REAL ID. There may be a staffing issue, or it might take longer to verify your identity, both of which can eat up your time and potentially cause you to miss your flight. The new system will let you go through the motions from home (or on your phone on the way to the airport), so you can join the general TSA line when you arrive.

Visit the official TSA website to stay up to date on all travel information. As the date gets closer, TSA should be announcing the portal for the Confirm.ID process. If you haven't obtained a valid REAL ID yet, perhaps now is a good time to visit the DMV or, even better, apply for a passport. Passports are valid for 10 years and can be used for both domestic and international travel.

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