The TSA is introducing a $45 fee for all travelers including Western Massachusetts residents who do not present a REAL ID. This new policy allows you to use the TSA Confirm.ID system to establish your identity. You must pay this fee online or at the airport to avoid missing your flight.

Starting February 1, 2026, air travelers who arrive at airport security without a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or other acceptable identification will have a new option. They can pay a $45 fee to use TSA Confirm.ID, an alternative identity verification system, instead of being turned away from their flight.

The Transportation Security Administration announced this policy change in December 2025, eight months after REAL ID enforcement officially began on May 7, 2025. Currently, more than 94% of passengers already travel with acceptable identification, but the new fee provides a backup option for the remaining travelers who haven't yet updated their IDs.

What Is REAL ID and Why Does It Matter?

The REAL ID Act became law on May 11, 2005, establishing minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. After nearly 20 years and multiple deadline extensions, the Department of Homeland Security began enforcing these standards in May 2025.

A REAL ID-compliant license includes enhanced security features and requires additional documentation to obtain. You can identify a REAL ID by looking for a star symbol in the upper corner of your driver's license or state ID card. If your ID doesn't have this star, it's not REAL ID compliant.

The requirement exists to strengthen aviation security by ensuring consistent identity verification standards across all 50 states. Without proper identification, TSA cannot confirm that travelers are who they claim to be.

How the $45 TSA Confirm.ID Fee Works

The new fee covers a 10-day travel period, meaning you can take multiple flights within those 10 days after paying once. However, TSA has not clarified whether this applies to round trips or only consecutive travel days.

The fee is nonrefundable, so you'll lose the $45 if your travel plans change or if you're ultimately unable to fly.

TSA is working with private companies to create online payment options so travelers can pay before arriving at the airport. However, specific details about which payment platforms will be available or when they'll launch haven't been announced yet.

If you arrive at the airport without having paid online, you'll find information about payment options at marked locations near security checkpoints in most airports. The exact process will vary by airport.

What Happens If You Can't Pay the Fee?

TSA has not announced what happens if you arrive without acceptable ID and cannot or will not pay the $45 fee. Based on previous TSA policies, you would likely be unable to pass through security and board your flight.

Travelers who use TSA Confirm.ID should expect significant delays at security checkpoints. TSA has warned that wait times will increase for passengers without acceptable identification, though they haven't specified whether this means an extra 15 minutes or several hours.

Acceptable Forms of Identification

You can avoid the $45 fee entirely by presenting any of these acceptable IDs at security:

Most Common Options:

• REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID card
• U.S. passport or passport card
• State-issued Enhanced Driver's License
• DHS trusted traveler cards like Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST

Other Acceptable IDs:

• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including dependent IDs
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Federally recognized Tribal Nation photo ID, including Enhanced Tribal Cards
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential
• Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card

Temporary driver's licenses are not acceptable, even if your state issues them while processing your REAL ID application.

How to Get a REAL ID

If you don't have a REAL ID yet, you'll need to visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency in person. Online renewal is not available for REAL ID upgrades.

Documents You'll Typically Need:

• Proof of identity (birth certificate or passport)
• Social Security card or W-2 form showing your full Social Security number
• Two proofs of residency (utility bills, bank statements, or lease agreements)

Requirements vary slightly by state, so check your state DMV website before your appointment. Many states are experiencing high demand for REAL ID appointments, with wait times ranging from a few days to several weeks depending on your location.

The cost to upgrade to a REAL ID also varies by state, typically ranging from $10 to $30 on top of your regular license renewal fee.

Who Needs a REAL ID?

Any adult flying domestically within the United States needs either a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification. This includes connecting flights and flights to U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Children under 18 do not need identification when traveling with a parent or guardian on domestic flights, though policies vary by airline.

If you only have a passport, you don't need to get a REAL ID. Your passport serves as acceptable identification for domestic flights. However, many travelers prefer having a REAL ID because they use their driver's license more frequently than their passport.

Planning Ahead

TSA strongly urges travelers without REAL ID to schedule a DMV appointment as soon as possible rather than relying on the $45 fee option. The fee adds cost to every trip, creates delays at security, and may not be available at all airports initially.

Adam Stahl, Acting Deputy Administrator for TSA, emphasized that identity verification protects aviation security. The fee ensures that travelers who haven't obtained proper identification cover the cost of alternative verification rather than passing that expense to taxpayers.

For questions about REAL ID or acceptable identification, visit TSA.gov/real-id or text 275-872 with your questions.