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Sources

Where every figure comes from

Each state’s cost, issuing agency, and appointment policy is read from that state’s official DMV REAL ID page. The federal document checklist and the airport-fallback detail are cited to DHS and TSA. Aggregators such as dmvassistants.com or roadlawguide.com were used only as a cross-check — never as a primary citation. Fees and requirements change; the date below is when we last confirmed each.

Federal & national

  • TSA — REAL ID enforcement & acceptable ID

    Federal enforcement status and the list of IDs TSA accepts at airport checkpoints.

    tsa.gov

  • TSA — identity verification at the checkpoint

    What TSA does when a traveler arrives without an acceptable ID.

    tsa.gov

  • TSA — ConfirmID $45 fee announcement

    TSA's announcement of the $45 ConfirmID identity-verification fee for travelers without a REAL ID, effective February 1, 2026.

    tsa.gov

  • Pay.gov — TSA ConfirmID Program Fee

    The federal portal where the $45 ConfirmID fee is paid (valid for a 10-day window).

    pay.gov

  • DHS — REAL ID program & document requirements

    The federal document categories required to get a REAL ID.

    dhs.gov

  • DHS — REAL ID frequently asked questions

    Federal framework background and compliance detail.

    dhs.gov

  • U.S. Census Bureau — adult population (about 262 million)

    262,085,032 U.S. residents age 18 and over (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census).

    census.gov

Document checklist (DHS)

  • One proof of identity and lawful status

    official source
    dhs.gov

  • Proof of your Social Security number

    official source
    dhs.gov

  • Two proofs of your state residency

    official source
    dhs.gov

  • Name-change documents — only if your name has changed

    official source
    dhs.gov

State DMV REAL ID pages

45 of 51 verified against an official source this cycle.