If you’re planning to board an airplane in the next week, you may need to pay $45 if you don’t have a Real ID, valid passport card or valid passport, the Transportation Security Administration said, but there’s a catch: There’s no guarantee that paying the fee will help you board the flight.
The fee process, called “ConfirmID,” begins next month, TSA says. It’s meant to help the TSA verify the identity of travelers who don’t have an acceptable form of ID — like a Real ID or an Illinois mobile ID — before they pass through the airport security line and board a domestic flight.
“Starting February 1, 2026, if you don’t have an acceptable ID, you have the option of paying a $45 fee for TSA ConfirmID to attempt to verify your identity,” TSA said. “However, there is no guarantee TSA can do so.”
“If you choose not to use it and don’t have an acceptable ID, you may not be allowed through security and could miss your flight,” TSA said.
For a trip lasting more than 10 days, the Illinois Secretary of State says the fee will be $90.
As the fee rolls out, here’s what to know.
How does it work, and can you do it at the airport?
According to TSA, the identification process takes an average of 10-15 minutes, but it could take 30 minutes or more.
Officials advised travelers to complete the process before arriving at the airport “to avoid delays or missing your flight.”
“You can pay the fee through your computer or mobile device at the airport, but TSA recommends paying ahead of time,” the agency said. Cash will not be accepted.
If travelers are completing the process at the airport, they’ll need to get out of the security line to pay. In addition to the $45 fee, travelers should be prepared to give officials their legal name, address and date of birth for ConfirmID, TSA said.
“After you finish the process, you must go to the end of the line for security screening and be prepared to present your receipt.”
The identity verification will be valid for 10 days once approved. After that period, travelers without a REAL ID or passport will need to pay the fee again if they travel.
Who needs to pay the fee?
Anyone who is trying to board a domestic flight, but does not have any of TSA’s acceptable forms of ID.
Do children need it?
No.
Children under 18 do not need ID for domestic flights, TSA said, as long as they are accompanied by someone 18 or older.
What are acceptable forms of ID at the airport?
As of May 7, 2025, your regular, hard-copy driver’s license or state ID is no longer an acceptable form of ID to board a plane.
The following is a list of IDs acceptable at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights:
Real ID State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID) Apple Digital ID from the state of Illinois U.S. passport U.S. passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents Permanent resident card Border crossing card An acceptable photo ID issued 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 or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) Clear IDAppointments to get a Real ID are required. As of Last week the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office says only 44 percent of Illinoisans have a Real ID.
More information about the ConfirmID and the fee can be found here.
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