A sweeping checkpoint change is about to hit domestic air travel, and it comes with a price tag: the tsa new $45 fee will begin on February 1, 2026, creating a paid identity-verification pathway for adult passengers who show up to airport security without a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification.
The policy is meant to push full compliance with federal identification standards while still offering a last-resort option for travelers who forget their ID, haven’t upgraded yet, or arrive with documents that don’t meet requirements. But it also introduces a new reality at the front of the security line—one that can add cost, time, and uncertainty right before boarding.
Here’s what’s changing, who it affects, how the process works, and the smartest ways to avoid trouble on travel day.
What Actually Starts February 1, 2026
Beginning February 1, TSA checkpoints across the country will apply a new rule for adults who cannot present an acceptable ID. Instead of relying on the older, no-fee identity assistance process some travelers have encountered in the past, TSA will use a modernized identity verification option that comes with a $45 charge.
This is not a ticket tax and not an airline fee. It’s tied specifically to identity verification at security. If you arrive with compliant identification, you won’t pay it. If you don’t, the fee becomes part of the attempt to confirm who you are so you can proceed toward your flight.
The Big Reason: Identification Compliance Is Now the Standard
REAL ID requirements have been years in the making, and the federal government has been moving toward a uniform standard for state-issued identification used in airport screening. With the latest phase of enforcement now firmly in place, the expectation is simple: adults flying domestically must present a compliant credential at the checkpoint.
For travelers who haven’t updated their driver’s license or state ID—or who rely on a document that isn’t accepted—this rule change turns what used to be a stressful inconvenience into a predictable financial and logistical hit.
Who Pays the Fee (And Who Doesn’t)
The fee applies to travelers who are 18 or older and show up at the TSA checkpoint without an acceptable form of identification.
People who generally will not be affected include:
- Adults carrying a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or state ID
- Adults traveling with a passport or passport card
- Travelers with approved federal credentials like military identification
- Many trusted traveler program cardholders who carry accepted ID
- Minors under 18 traveling domestically (they typically are not required to show ID at TSA screening)
The travelers most likely to run into the fee are:
- Adults with a standard state license that is not REAL ID–compliant
- People who left their wallet behind
- Travelers with lost, stolen, or severely damaged ID
- Anyone presenting an ID that TSA does not accept for checkpoint purposes
How the $45 Identity Verification Option Works
When an adult traveler cannot present acceptable ID, TSA may offer an identity verification path that requires payment. The concept is straightforward: you pay the fee, TSA attempts to verify your identity using an enhanced process, and then—if verification is successful—you can continue through screening.
Two details matter here:
First, verification is an attempt, not a promise. Payment does not automatically guarantee clearance. TSA has made clear that it cannot guarantee identity can be confirmed in every case.
Second, the experience can vary by airport. The underlying identity verification process is standardized, but staffing, space, and passenger volume differ significantly from one terminal to another. That means outcomes and wait times can feel very different depending on where you fly.
Payment: What to Expect Before You Reach the Scanner
This fee is designed around electronic payment. Travelers should plan for card or approved digital payment options, not cash. If you arrive without a way to pay using the accepted methods, you risk being turned away from the checkpoint.
Because the fee is tied to identity verification, travelers who know they may need it should plan for payment logistics before they get to the terminal. The most avoidable disaster scenario is showing up without compliant ID and also lacking a valid electronic payment method.
The 10-Day Window That Changes the Math
One of the most important practical features of the program is that the $45 payment covers a 10-day travel period. In everyday terms, that means many people flying out and back within a typical trip length won’t have to pay twice—so long as their travel stays within the window.
But the flip side is just as important: if your return flight falls outside that period, a second fee may be required to attempt verification again. Long trips, extended work travel, or schedule changes can make the fee more than a one-time annoyance.
What Counts as “Acceptable ID” at the Checkpoint
For travelers trying to avoid surprises, the simplest strategy is to carry one of the IDs TSA accepts for domestic checkpoint screening. Common examples include:
- REAL ID–compliant driver’s licenses or state ID cards
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Military ID
- Permanent resident card
- Other accepted federal or trusted traveler credentials
Some travelers may also be able to use approved digital identification options where available and supported. The key is not what a state issues, but what the TSA checkpoint can accept for identity purposes on the day you travel.
Why This Could Slow Down Security Lines
Even if the vast majority of passengers arrive prepared, the new process could still affect checkpoint flow—especially at large airports during peak periods.
Identity verification takes time. It involves additional steps, extra interaction with TSA staff, and sometimes further screening measures. When multiple travelers in a line need that process at once, the ripple effects can be felt behind them.
Expect the impact to be most noticeable:
- During holiday rush periods
- On early-morning departure waves
- At airports with heavy leisure travel volume
- At smaller airports with fewer screening lanes and limited staffing
The simple takeaway: if you’re traveling close to February 1, 2026, and you’re unsure about your ID status, assume the line will not be forgiving.
How to Tell If Your License Is REAL ID-Compliant
Most REAL ID–compliant cards carry a star marking. But travelers should not rely on assumptions or old habits—states differ in design, and some people have renewed a license without realizing they selected a non-compliant version.
If you’re uncertain, check:
- The top area of your license for the compliance marker
- Your state’s motor vehicle agency guidance on REAL ID
- The name on your ticket versus the name on your ID (mismatches can create problems even when the ID is compliant)
If your document is not compliant, upgrading can require specific paperwork and an in-person visit, so waiting until the week of a trip can backfire quickly.
The Real Risk: Missing Your Flight
The biggest consequence isn’t the $45—it’s time.
Travelers who arrive without acceptable ID may face:
- Longer waits before reaching screening
- Unpredictable processing times
- The possibility that identity cannot be verified
- The stress of watching boarding time approach while still at the checkpoint
Airlines generally do not hold planes for passengers delayed at security. If you miss boarding because of a checkpoint issue, rebooking can cost far more than the fee, especially during busy travel seasons.
A Practical Pre-Flight Checklist to Avoid Trouble
If you want the smoothest possible travel day, treat identification like your phone and your keys—something you confirm before you leave home.
The night before:
- Put your ID in the same place you keep your credit card
- Confirm your ID is not expired or damaged
- Screenshot your itinerary and keep your booking confirmation handy
Before leaving for the airport:
- Do a quick wallet check: ID, one backup ID if available, and a working payment method
- If you use digital ID, make sure your phone is charged and your credential is accessible offline
At the airport:
- If you realize you’re missing ID, address it immediately—do not wait until you reach the front of the line
Why the Policy Is Being Framed as a Cost Shift
TSA’s public rationale centers on who should cover the expense of extra identity verification. The agency’s stance is that travelers who arrive without required identification should bear the administrative and processing cost, rather than spreading that burden across the general public.
Whether travelers view this as a reasonable accountability measure or an added penalty, the result is the same: the cost of being unprepared is now explicit, and it’s built into the screening process.
What Travelers Should Watch in the First Weeks
The rollout will likely bring a learning curve for travelers and for airports. In the early days, expect questions around:
- Where and how payment is processed
- How quickly receipts or confirmations are recognized at checkpoints
- How different airports manage the flow of travelers needing verification
If you travel frequently, the best move is to make sure you never need the paid option at all. If you travel occasionally, it’s still worth upgrading to compliant ID—because the worst time to learn your document doesn’t qualify is at 5 a.m. on departure day.
A Clear Bottom Line for 2026 Flyers
If you’re flying domestically in 2026, the easiest path is also the cheapest: bring compliant identification and move through the checkpoint like normal. If you don’t, the tsa new $45 fee may become part of your trip—and it may come with delays and uncertainty you can’t schedule around.