Starting February 1, 2026, air travel in the United States will see a significant change at security checkpoints: the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will launch a new, fee-based identity verification tool known as TSA ConfirmID. This move, confirmed in multiple sources including Alaska Airlines News, Oil City News, and Secret Los Angeles, is designed to address the persistent issue of travelers arriving at airports without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another form of acceptable identification.
For years, the REAL ID Act—passed by Congress in 2005—has set minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Since spring 2025, all air travelers aged 18 and older have been required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID in order to fly within the U.S. However, with the deadline now firmly in place, the TSA is introducing a $45 ConfirmID fee as an alternative for those who still don’t have compliant identification by the time they reach the airport.
So, what does this new process entail? According to Alaska Airlines News, travelers who arrive at security checkpoints without a REAL ID or other acceptable ID will be able to use the TSA ConfirmID tool. The process can be initiated in advance on the TSA’s website or via a QR code posted at the airport. After paying the $45 fee—using digital payment methods such as bank account (ACH), PayPal, Venmo, credit, or debit card—travelers will need to provide their legal name, travel start date, and expiration date. The verification is valid for a 10-day travel window. Those who plan to travel beyond this period must pay and process the verification again.
The ConfirmID system isn’t instantaneous. As Secret Los Angeles reports, the identity verification can take 30 minutes or more and involves biometric checks such as facial recognition and fingerprints. Travelers are encouraged to complete the process online before arriving at the airport to minimize delays. Once the payment is processed, a confirmation email is sent, which serves as proof of payment. Travelers must present either a printed or electronic copy of this receipt at the checkpoint.
However, the $45 fee and ConfirmID process do not guarantee approval to fly. As highlighted by the Casper/Natrona County International Airport, the system is merely an alternative verification method, and security officers may still deny access if they cannot verify a traveler’s identity to their satisfaction. Furthermore, using ConfirmID is optional—if a traveler without acceptable ID chooses not to use it, they may be denied security clearance and miss their flight. Any attempt to commit fraud or other criminal activity during this process will be prosecuted under federal penalties, the airport’s advisory adds.
For those wondering which forms of identification are considered acceptable, the TSA provides a comprehensive list. Besides REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses, acceptable IDs include:
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) or Enhanced IDs (EIDs)
- U.S. passports and passport cards
- DHS trusted traveler cards (such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including those issued to dependents
- Permanent resident cards
- Border crossing cards
- Federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe photo IDs, including Enhanced Tribal Cards
- HSPD-12 PIV cards
- Foreign government-issued passports
- Canadian provincial driver’s licenses or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada cards
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Cards
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials
- Veteran Health Identification Cards (VHIC)
According to a TSA press release cited by Secret Los Angeles, approximately 94% of travelers already use a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification. That leaves a relatively small but significant portion of the traveling public who may need to rely on the ConfirmID process if they have not yet upgraded their documents.
Why is the TSA implementing this fee now? The answer, as explained by TSA’s Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl in a statement to USA Today, is straightforward: “This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer.” Stahl went on to urge, “The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights.”
There’s also some nuance in how states issue REAL ID-compliant licenses. While most states mark these licenses with a gold star in the upper right corner, some—Washington, for example—issue Enhanced Driver’s Licenses that do not carry the gold star but are still fully compliant. The process for obtaining a REAL ID varies by state, often requiring additional documentation and, in some cases, an appointment. Alaska Airlines, in its public guidance, encourages travelers to check with their state’s licensing agency to understand the specific requirements and avoid last-minute surprises.
Travelers should also be aware of airline policies regarding missed flights due to identification issues. Alaska Airlines, for instance, states that for Main Cabin and First Class fares, no change fees will apply if a traveler misses a flight due to ID problems, but fare differences may be charged. Saver fares, on the other hand, are less flexible, with only partial credits available under specific conditions.
For those who know in advance that they won’t have a compliant form of ID in time, the advice is clear: use the ConfirmID tool ahead of your travel date. This proactive step can help avoid the stress and uncertainty of being delayed—or worse, denied—at the security checkpoint. But travelers should remember that ConfirmID is valid for only 10 days, so any trips beyond that window will require a new verification and another $45 payment.
The TSA’s new ConfirmID fee structure marks a significant shift in how U.S. air travel is managed at the security checkpoint. By placing the onus of identity verification costs on travelers who have not obtained compliant identification, the agency hopes to encourage more Americans to update their documents and streamline the security process for all. As the February 1 deadline approaches, both the TSA and airlines are urging travelers to review their identification now and take steps to ensure their next trip is as smooth as possible.
With the travel landscape evolving and security measures continually adapting, one thing is certain: being prepared with the right identification will save time, money, and stress. For the small percentage of travelers still without a REAL ID or acceptable alternative, the clock is ticking—and the new ConfirmID system is ready to step in, for a price.
