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At the airport

TSA ConfirmID: the $45 fee to fly without a REAL ID

REAL ID enforcement began May 7, 2025. As of February 1, 2026, travelers who reach the checkpoint without an acceptable ID are referred to TSA’s ConfirmID process — a $45 feethat buys an attempt to verify your identity. Here’s exactly how it works, what it doesn’t guarantee, and which IDs let you skip it — cited to TSA.

realidpath.us provides informational state-by-state REAL ID summaries. Requirements and fees change; verify with your state DMV before visiting. Not affiliated with TSA, DHS, or any state DMV.

Fee

$45

per traveler, paid via Pay.gov

Valid for

10 days

a travel window, not one flight

In effect

Feb 1

2026 onward

TSA announcementPay the fee on Pay.govLast verified 2026-06-16

The checkpoint identity-verification process

If you reach the checkpoint without an acceptable ID — including a state license or ID that isn't REAL ID-compliant — TSA refers you to its ConfirmID identity-verification process. As of February 1, 2026, ConfirmID carries a $45 fee, and it only buys an attempt to verify your identity so you can fly that day.

  1. 1Pay the $45 ConfirmID fee — ideally online in advance through Pay.gov, choosing a start date. The payment is valid for a 10-day travel period.
  2. 2At check-in, before the security line, a TSA officer runs the identity-verification process, which may include questions to confirm your identity against public and commercial databases.
  3. 3If your identity is confirmed, you enter screening and may face additional screening. If it can't be confirmed — or you decline to cooperate — you won't be allowed through, and the fee does not guarantee passage.
Source: Transportation Security Administration· tsa.gov· verified June 16, 2026

Important caveats

  • The $45 fee is not a guarantee. TSA can't always confirm an identity, and the fee buys the attempt, not the result — so don't rely on it for an important trip.
  • It can take up to about 30 minutes, on top of normal screening. Arrive early; TSA recommends extra time if you don't have a REAL ID-compliant ID.
  • Present an acceptable ID — a passport, passport card, or trusted-traveler card — and you skip ConfirmID and the fee entirely.

IDs TSA accepts instead of a REAL ID

If you have one of these, you don’t need a REAL ID to fly — and you skip the extra screening. This is a high-confidence summary; TSA keeps the complete, current list on its site.

  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • State-issued Enhanced Driver License (EDL)
  • DHS trusted-traveler cardGlobal Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST
  • U.S. Department of Defense IDincluding dependent IDs
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Border crossing card
See TSA’s full acceptable-ID list

Want to avoid the airport question entirely? Get a REAL ID from your state DMV. Start with your state.