Starting February 1, 2026, travelers without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or acceptable alternative identification will be charged a $45 fee to verify their identity for domestic flights, the Transportation Security Administration announced.
The fee applies to passengers who use TSA ConfirmID, a service that allows travelers to verify their identity when they don’t have proper identification. The State Department is recommending travelers obtain a passport card ($30) or passport book as REAL ID alternatives to avoid the recurring fee.
What You Need to Know
For Non-Immigrant Travelers (US Citizens):
If you’re a US citizen flying domestically, you have three options to avoid the $45 fee:
1. Get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license - Visit your state DMV to upgrade your current license. REAL ID-compliant licenses have a star in the corner.
2. Purchase a passport card ($30) - Valid for domestic air travel only. Cannot be used for international flights.
3. Use your passport book - Accepted for both domestic and international travel.Without one of these, you’ll pay $45 each time you fly domestically through TSA ConfirmID.
For Immigrant Travelers (Green Card Holders and Visa Holders):
The policy affects immigrants differently depending on their status:
∙ Permanent residents (green card holders): Your green card is an acceptable form of identification for domestic flights. You do NOT need REAL ID or a passport for domestic travel, though you should carry your green card.
∙ Visa holders and non-immigrants: Your foreign passport (with valid visa if applicable) is acceptable for domestic flights. You do NOT need REAL ID.
∙ Naturalized US citizens: Follow the same rules as US-born citizens—you’ll need REAL ID, a passport, or pay the $45 fee.International Travel Reminder
For international travel, all travelers (citizens and non-citizens) need:
∙ A passport book (the standard passport)
∙ NOT a passport card – passport cards only work for domestic flights and land/sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and Bermuda
Green card holders need both their green card AND passport from their country of citizenship for international travel.
Cost Comparison
∙ TSA ConfirmID fee: $45 per flight
∙ Passport card: $30 (lasts 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors)
∙ Passport book: $130 for first-time adult applicants (lasts 10 years)
∙ REAL ID driver’s license: Varies by state (typically $20-$30 upgrade fee)
For frequent domestic travelers, obtaining a REAL ID-compliant license or passport card is more cost-effective than paying the $45 fee multiple times.
How to Get REAL ID
Visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles with:
∙ Proof of identity (birth certificate or passport)
∙ Social Security card
∙ Two proofs of residency (utility bills, lease agreement)
Processing times vary by state but typically take 2-4 weeks.
For more information, visit TSA.gov/real-id or travel.state.gov/passportcard.
Written by Dzifa Makafui
