Forgot Your REAL ID? That'll Be $45

Starting February 1, thousands of travelers could get hit with a $45 fee if they show up at the airport without a REAL ID-compliant document. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration, will start charging passengers to confirm their identity through a new process called ConfirmID if they don't have the right paperwork.

According to TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeil, 6% of travelers still aren't using REAL ID at airports. That might not sound like much until you consider how many people fly every day. Six percent adds up fast.

Travelers without compliant documents should verify their identity through ConfirmID before heading to the airport. Skip it, and there's a real chance you won't be boarding that flight.

What Is REAL ID?

REAL ID is a standard for state-issued identification that went into effect in May 2025. It requires states to verify someone's identity using specific forms of documentation before handing out IDs like driver's licenses.

REAL ID-compliant documents are now required to enter federal facilities, including TSA checkpoints at airports. State-issued IDs are the most common form of identification people flash at security, but they're not the only acceptable option.

Other documents that work include state-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses, U.S. passports or passport cards, Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards like Global Entry, permanent resident cards, border crossing cards, photo IDs from federally recognized Tribal Nations, Defense Department IDs, Veteran Health Identification Cards, U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials, and a handful of other specialized documents.

Foreign nationals can use their passports, passport cards, or border crossing cards. Canadian citizens can use their provincial driver's licenses or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada cards.

How to Tell If You've Got It

The Department of Homeland Security says REAL ID-compliant cards have a star marking on the top portion. In California, the star sits on an outline of a bear. Other states just slap a simple golden or black star on there.

Check your license. If there's no star, you've got a pricey problem starting February 1.

The $45 Backup Plan

Travelers without REAL ID are encouraged to complete their identity verification before heading to the airport using the TSA's new ConfirmID process. It costs $45 and stays valid for 10 days after payment.

The TSA says using ConfirmID is optional, but they're also warning that travelers who skip it risk missing their flights. So "optional" might be doing some heavy lifting in that sentence.

Here's the real kicker: enrolling in ConfirmID doesn't even guarantee a TSA officer will be able to verify your identity. You could pay the $45 and still get denied boarding.

Who Actually Needs This

All travelers 18 and older need to present REAL ID to board domestic flights. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license won't substitute for a passport on international flights, but a passport will let you board a domestic flight if your driver's license isn't compliant.

So, if you've got a passport, you're covered. If you don't, and your driver's license doesn't have that star, February 1 is going to be an expensive wake-up call.

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