Monetising Identity Exceptions to REAL ID

From 1 February 2026, US domestic air passengers who arrive at airport security without a REAL ID-compliant licence or other accepted identification will be routed into ‘TSA ConfirmID’, an alternative identity-verification process carrying a $45 fee.

Under the new procedure, travellers without compliant ID must complete biometric or biographic verification online via Transportation Security Administration (TSA) systems, then pay the ConfirmID fee. The resulting electronic receipt is valid for 10 days and must be presented at the security checkpoint.

TSA stresses that identity verification is not guaranteed and passengers may still be refused access to the boarding area. The fee is non-refundable and, according to recent rulemaking, is explicitly framed as a user charge so that non-compliant passengers, rather than taxpayers, bear the cost of the enhanced process.