Updated TSA and Airport Travel
Have You Updated Your REAL ID?
Have you updated your REAL ID yet?
If you’re not sure, you can check requirements and learn how to obtain one directly from the TSA here:
👉 https://www.tsa.gov/real-id
If not — and you find yourself at the airport without a REAL ID or a passport — you may still be able to travel using the new TSA identity verification process. This option is not guaranteed and comes with specific requirements and a fee. Read below to see who qualifies, how it works, and what to expect.
TSA’s New Identity Verification Option: What Travelers Need to Know
Beginning February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will introduce a new, fee-based option for domestic travelers who arrive at airport security without acceptable identification. This program is called TSA ConfirmID and is designed as a last-resort identity verification process.
This is not a replacement for REAL ID or a passport — it is an alternative pathway for eligible travelers who forgot or do not have compliant identification at the time of travel.
What Is TSA ConfirmID?
TSA ConfirmID is a standardized identity verification service that allows certain travelers to attempt to verify their identity at a TSA checkpoint when they cannot present acceptable ID.
Previously, travelers without proper identification were subject to discretionary screening and often experienced long delays or denial. ConfirmID formalizes this process and introduces a user-paid fee to cover the additional verification steps.
Who May Qualify?
You may be eligible to use TSA ConfirmID if:
-
You are 18 years or older
-
You are traveling within the United States
-
You do not have a REAL ID-compliant license, passport, or other TSA-approved ID
-
You are willing to pay the required fee
-
TSA is able to verify your identity through their system
Important: Eligibility does not guarantee approval. TSA retains final discretion.
The ConfirmID Fee Explained
-
Cost: $45 per traveler (ages 18+)
-
Validity: Covers a 10-day travel window
-
Payment: Required before undergoing identity verification
If you take multiple flights within the 10-day period, you do not need to pay again. After 10 days, a new fee would apply if needed.
Does Paying the Fee Guarantee You Can Fly?
No.
Paying the ConfirmID fee does not guarantee that TSA will successfully verify your identity or allow you to proceed through security. If TSA cannot confirm your identity, you may be denied access to the secure area and miss your flight — even after payment.
This is why TSA strongly encourages travelers to arrive with proper identification whenever possible.
How the Process Works at the Airport
If you need to use ConfirmID:
-
Pay the $45 fee (online in advance is recommended)
-
Present proof of payment at the TSA checkpoint
-
Provide any available documentation (even expired or non-compliant ID)
-
Allow extra time — identity verification can take 30 minutes or longer
Travelers using ConfirmID should expect additional screening and questioning.
Acceptable IDs That Do NOT Require the Fee
You will not need ConfirmID if you present any TSA-approved identification, including:
-
REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID
-
U.S. passport or passport card
-
Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI cards
-
Military or certain tribal IDs
-
TSA-approved digital IDs (where available)
If your state supports digital driver’s licenses and TSA accepts them at your airport, these may also be used.
Practical Travel Tips
-
Check your ID before every trip. Don’t assume your license is REAL ID-compliant — look for the star.
-
Carry a passport when possible. It remains the most universally accepted form of ID.
-
Arrive early if using ConfirmID. This process takes time and is not expedited.
-
Avoid relying on ConfirmID. It is intended as a backup, not a standard travel solution.
Bottom Line
TSA ConfirmID offers an option for travelers caught without proper identification — but it comes with costs, delays, and uncertainty. The simplest and most reliable way to travel remains carrying a REAL ID-compliant license or a passport.
As always, requirements can change. Travelers should verify identification rules directly with TSA before departure.
