Millions of U.S. travelers will soon face a new identification requirement at airport security as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirms that its Confirm.ID program will launch nationwide on February 1, 2026, introducing a $45 verification fee for passengers who attempt to fly without a REAL ID–compliant document.
Travelers without REAL ID will be required to pay a $45 fee at the airport beginning February 1, 2026.
The new system is TSA’s long-delayed enforcement mechanism for the REAL ID Act — legislation originally passed in 2005 but repeatedly postponed due to logistical challenges at state DMVs and airports. According to TSA officials, Confirm.ID is designed to “reduce
