Air travellers across the United States who have not yet obtained a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification are set to encounter a new financial consideration from Sunday. Those flying domestically without the proper credentials will be subject to a $45 fee to verify their identity through an alternative process.
Understanding the REAL ID Requirement
The REAL ID is a federally compliant, state-issued driver's licence or identification card that meets enhanced security standards established following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In most U.S. states, it is marked by a distinctive white star within a yellow circle on the card.
Obtaining this identification typically requires presenting more documentation at a motor vehicle agency than is needed for a standard licence. Although the rollout was initially planned for 2008, implementation faced repeated delays. The mandate officially took effect in May, but until now, passengers lacking a REAL ID or another accepted ID could still pass through security with additional screening and a warning. That grace period concludes this weekend.
Who Must Pay the New Fee?
The $45 charge applies to travellers aged 18 and older who are flying within the United States and do not possess a REAL ID, passport, or another form of identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The fee is for utilising the TSA's new alternate identity verification service, known as ConfirmID.
It is important to note that this is not a penalty or fine, but rather a payment to cover the cost of processing non-compliant travellers. Adam Stahl, the acting TSA deputy administrator, emphasised, "This fee ensures that non-compliant travellers, not taxpayers, cover the cost of processing travellers without acceptable IDs."
However, paying the fee does not guarantee access to air travel. Passengers whose identities cannot be successfully verified through the ConfirmID process may still be denied entry at the airport security checkpoint.
How the ConfirmID Process Works
The $45 service fee must be paid online via the official TSA website at tsa.gov/ConfirmID. Travellers need to provide their legal name and the start date of their travel period. Accepted payment methods include debit cards, credit cards, Venmo, and PayPal.
Interestingly, the payment can be made by someone other than the traveller, but the traveller's personal information must be entered accurately. Upon successful payment, a receipt will be emailed from pay.gov.
At the airport security checkpoint, travellers must present a government-issued ID (even if it is not REAL ID-compliant) along with a digital or printed copy of the payment receipt to initiate the verification procedure. The TSA strongly advises paying the fee before arriving at the airport, as the verification itself can take up to 30 minutes, potentially jeopardising flight connections.
Other Accepted Forms of Identification
For those without a REAL ID, several alternative documents are accepted by the TSA. The agency maintains a comprehensive list on its website, which includes:
- A valid U.S. passport or passport card
- Permanent resident cards (Green Cards)
- Trusted traveller programme cards, such as Global Entry or NEXUS
- U.S. Department of Defense identification cards for military personnel
- Photo IDs issued by federally recognised Tribal Nations
Additionally, the TSA now accepts digital IDs through platforms like Apple Wallet and Google Wallet at more than 250 airport checkpoints nationwide, offering a modern, convenient alternative for tech-savvy passengers.
The Department of Homeland Security reports that the majority of U.S. travellers are already compliant with the REAL ID requirements. This new fee structure is designed to encourage the remaining individuals to obtain the necessary identification, thereby streamlining the security process and enhancing overall travel safety.
