The Transportation Security Administration is introducing a new way to get through the checkpoint if you forget your paperwork, but it is going to cost you a convenience fee.
Starting February 1, 2026, the agency will roll out the “ConfirmID” program, specifically designed for passengers who show up to the airport without a REAL ID, passport, or other approved identification.
For a $45 fee, travelers can attempt to have their identity verified through a more intense screening process. However, the TSA is making it clear that paying the fee doesn’t mean you are automatically cleared to board.
“TSA ConfirmID will be an option for travelers that do not bring a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID to the TSA checkpoint and still want to fly,” Adam Stahl, a senior TSA official, said in a statement. He noted that while the option is there, “Impacted travelers will have the option to pay $45 and use the TSA ConfirmID process.”
If you decide to use this backup, you should be prepared for a headache. The agency warned that ConfirmID users will face extra identity checks, more physical screening, and likely long delays. In fact, travelers who don’t have their ID and haven’t paid the fee in advance risk missing their flights entirely due to the time it takes to process the request.
The $45 charge isn’t just a random number; the TSA says it is meant to ensure that the people who didn’t follow the rules, rather than the average taxpayer, are the ones paying for the extra security measures.
“To avoid delays or missed flights, all travelers should obtain a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification before heading to the airport,” Stahl emphasized.
As a reminder, the federal REAL ID requirement officially kicked in this past May for all travelers 18 and older. You can tell if your license is compliant by looking for the gold star in the top right corner.
If you don’t have one, you’ll need a passport, a state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another TSA-approved document to avoid the extra fees and the long wait times at security.
