On November 21, I published an article outlining how any American passengers who didn’t have a REAL ID could still travel for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
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Here’s the rub: In early May, the US mandated that all passengers on domestic flights must present a passport or a REAL ID. REAL IDs are government-issued IDs that are designed to make logging, identifying, and managing passenger data easier. The goal is to improve security.
But the rollout for REAL IDs was slow. Some passengers thought they had a qualifying ID, but didn’t. Others missed the memo entirely.
To offset any issues for passengers traveling over the holiday season, the TSA made the very gracious decision to allow passengers without REAL IDs to board their flights. To offset the added work of confirming their identities, the TSA outlined a plan to charge $18.
Since the article was published, the TSA has released a new update. Starting in 2026, they’re charging $45 for the same process.
Here’s what you need to know about the new REAL ID charges
If you don’t have a REAL ID or a passport, consider this your reminder: you can still board flights, but you need to pay a small fee and wait while security officers confirm your identity. Starting on February 1, 2026, that fee will climb from $18 to $45.
The $45 fee allows you to confirm your identity via TSA Confirm.ID. This process takes place prior to entering the security line. For now, it’s unclear how long it will take—and every airport will create its own system. You can pay the fee online prior to heading to the airport.
If you don’t have a REAL ID, a passport, or a passport card, you’re highly encouraged to get one before the fee increase on February 1, 2026. Fees are valid for a ten-day travel period, which should cover most short trips.
