A sweeping change is about to hit America’s airports, and for millions of travelers still putting off their REAL ID upgrade, the countdown has officially run out. Beginning February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration will enforce a new federal rule requiring passengers who arrive at airport security without a REAL ID or another approved form of identification to pay a $45 fee to verify their identity before being allowed to fly. The fee marks the first time TSA has ever charged travelers for on‑site identity verification, and it represents a major shift in how the agency handles passengers who show up unprepared at the checkpoint.

The new requirement stems from the REAL ID Act, a post‑9/11 federal law that set higher security standards for state‑issued driver’s licenses and ID cards. Although the law technically took effect in May 2025, TSA allowed a lengthy grace period during which many airports continued accepting non‑compliant IDs. That grace period is now ending. Starting February 1, any traveler 18 or older who cannot present a REAL ID‑compliant license, passport, passport card, military ID, or DHS Trusted Traveler card will be referred to TSA’s alternative identity verification system, known as ConfirmID, and charged the $45 fee to proceed through security.

ConfirmID is a modernized verification process that uses secure technology to confirm a traveler’s identity without traditional documents. TSA officials say the fee covers the cost of the system and ensures that taxpayers are not subsidizing travelers who have not upgraded their identification. The payment grants a 10‑day travel window, meaning a single $45 charge covers both outbound and return flights as long as they fall within that period. For travelers who fly infrequently, the fee may serve as a temporary workaround. For those who travel often, it is likely to become an expensive inconvenience.

The agency is strongly encouraging travelers to pay the fee online before arriving at the airport. Passengers can complete the ConfirmID form and submit payment through pay.gov, then present proof of payment at the checkpoint to reduce delays. Those who wait until they reach the airport can still pay on site, but TSA warns that doing so may slow down the screening process, especially during peak travel periods. Airports across the country have already begun posting signs and announcements reminding passengers of the upcoming enforcement date and urging them to check their IDs before travelingWCVB Channel 5.

The REAL ID itself is easy to identify: it features a black or gold star in the upper right corner of the license. Despite years of public outreach, TSA estimates that roughly 6% of U.S. travelers still do not have a REAL ID‑compliant credential. That small percentage translates to millions of people who may be caught off guard when the fee takes effect. Many states continue to report long wait times at DMVs as residents rush to upgrade their licenses ahead of the deadline.

For travelers who want to avoid the fee entirely, TSA emphasizes that any approved alternative form of identification will suffice. A valid passport or passport card, for example, remains acceptable for domestic flights. Military IDs and Trusted Traveler cards such as Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI also meet federal requirements. But for those relying on a standard driver’s license, the REAL ID upgrade is now essential.

Airport officials say they expect some confusion in the early weeks of enforcement, but they also note that the majority of travelers—about 94%—already have compliant identification. The new fee is designed to handle the remaining minority without turning them away from their flights, while still pushing the country toward full REAL ID compliance after nearly two decades of delays.

As February approaches, TSA is urging travelers to check their wallets, verify their identification status, and plan ahead. Those who do not upgrade in time will still be able to fly, but they will pay for the privilege—literally. And with the fee set to become a permanent part of the screening process, the message is clear: the era of showing up at the airport with an outdated ID is officially over.