If you have any trips planned starting next month, it’s worth double-checking your ID, specifically, whether your driver’s license is REAL ID–compliant. If it isn’t, getting through security could take longer… and cost more.
Starting February, 2026, TSA will begin enforcing a $45 identity verification fee for travelers who show up at checkpoints without a REAL ID, passport, or another federally approved form of identification and choose to proceed via identity verification. This change reflects the full rollout of TSA’s ConfirmID program, which formalizes a process that was previously handled on a case-by-case basis.
Why is TSA now charging a $45 fee?
Until now, travelers with non-compliant licenses were often allowed through security after a manual identity review. While that option still exists, it is no longer automatic. Under the new rule, anyone 18 or older who doesn’t present an acceptable ID may opt to use TSA ConfirmID, a digital identity-verification process that allows TSA to attempt to confirm a traveler’s identity using personal information.
The basics:
- Fee: $45 per traveler.
- Coverage: Valid for a 10-day travel window.
- Payment platform: Pay.gov (TSA’s official portal).
TSA and airport officials recommend completing the process before arriving at the airport when possible, as ConfirmID travelers may be redirected to separate screening lines.
What happens if your ID is rejected by TSA?
If TSA determines your ID doesn’t meet federal requirements, you may be directed to complete the ConfirmID process either via a QR code at the airport or through TSA’s website, by:
- Identity submission: You’ll enter your full legal name and flight dates.
- Payment: The $45 fee can be paid with a card or digital wallet.
- Receipt check: TSA officers will require proof of payment.
- Enhanced screening: Expect additional checks that may add 15-30 minutes.
One important thing to know: paying the fee doesn’t guarantee approval. If TSA can’t verify your identity, boarding can still be denied.
How to tell if your California ID is REAL ID compliant?
California makes it relatively easy to spot:
- Gold bear with a white star: Your license meets REAL ID standards.
- “Federal Limits Apply” printed on the license: Not compliant, you’ll need another acceptable ID, or you’ll pay the fee.
Which IDs let you skip the fee entirely?
Even without a REAL ID, TSA will accept several alternatives that allow you to bypass the ConfirmID process:
- U.S. passport or passport card.
- Trusted Traveler cards (Global Entry, SENTRI, NEXUS).
- Military ID.
- Permanent Resident Card.
How can Californians upgrade their IDs before the deadline?
If you want to avoid the fee altogether, upgrading to a REAL ID through the California DMV is still possible, but it must be done in person. You’ll need:
- Identity document: Passport or birth certificate
- Social Security proof: SSN card or W-2
- Two residency documents: Utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank record
DMV appointments are already tightening as February approaches.