TSA Announces New Charges For Travelers
The Transportation Security Administration will soon charge travelers $45 if they arrive at airport security without a proper form of identification, such as a Real ID or passport.
The fee goes into effect Feb. 1, 2026, and follows months of rulemaking in which the TSA originally considered an $18 charge. Officials say higher- than-expected technology and operational costs led to the final price. Under the new system, passengers who lack acceptable ID can complete an online identity-verification process through the TSA’s website and pay the $45 fee before reaching the checkpoint.
Once the steps are completed, the traveler receives an email confirmation that must be shown to the TSA officer. The verification is expected to take 10 to 15 minutes, though it could take 30 minutes or more depending on the airport and the number of people using the system.
The confirmation is valid for 10 days, after which passengers must pay again if they still don’t have proper ID. TSA officials say the fee is nonrefundable and does not guarantee that a traveler will be cleared. If the agency cannot confirm a passenger’s identity, that person will not be allowed to fly.
The new policy is intended to “keep the system secure by ensuring every traveler is fully verified,” according to TSA spokesperson Adam Stahl.
Passengers who arrive at the checkpoint without ID will be pulled out of the security line to complete the process. Right now, about 94 percent of fliers already travel with Real IDs or other approved documents.
The agency is also working with airlines so passengers are warned about the rule during the booking process.
The rollout comes as digital passports stored in Apple Wallet are becoming available at more than 250 U.S. airports for domestic screening.
