Travelers who forget their ID at home will soon face more than just a headache at airport security — they’ll be hit with a $45 fee starting in 2026, according to a new TSA policy change.
The Transportation Security Administration announced that beginning February 1, 2026, passengers who arrive at checkpoints without a REAL ID or other acceptable identification will need to pay to verify their identity through a new process called ConfirmID. The verification, which confirms a traveler’s identity, will be valid for 10 days after payment.
“TSA ConfirmID will be an option for travelers that do not bring a Real ID or other acceptable form of ID to the TSA checkpoint and still want to fly,” the agency said in its announcement. The emphasis here is on “option” — because the alternative is simply not flying that day.
Not exactly a new process, just a new price tag
Forgot IDs at airport security checkpoints aren’t a new phenomenon, nor is the TSA’s ability to verify travelers through alternative means. What’s changing is that now there’s a cost attached to the service.
“It’s a longstanding policy. What has changed here is that they are now charging for it,” noted industry observers familiar with the policy shift.
The TSA insists the fee isn’t meant to be a significant revenue generator. Instead, it’s designed to cover the additional screening procedures necessary when a traveler lacks proper identification. Given high compliance rates with REAL ID requirements, the agency expects relatively few travelers will need to use the service.
How will it work?
Travelers who find themselves ID-less at the airport won’t simply hand over cash at the checkpoint. The process requires advance online payment through the TSA’s website at tsa.gov/ConfirmID, with the receipt then presented to security officers at the airport.
But wouldn’t it be easier to just remember your ID? That’s precisely the TSA’s point. The agency is strongly encouraging travelers to obtain and carry REAL ID-compliant identification or other acceptable forms of ID to avoid both the fee and potential travel disruptions.
“To avoid delays or missed flights, all travelers should obtain a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification before heading to the airport,” the TSA advised in their statement.
The timing of the announcement gives travelers nearly two years to prepare for the change, though the REAL ID requirement itself has been delayed multiple times over the years.
Critics might view the new fee as yet another cost burden on travelers already facing rising ticket prices and expanding ancillary fees. However, defenders of the policy might point out that the verification process requires additional resources and that the vast majority of travelers who remember their identification will never encounter the charge.
For frequent travelers, the message is clear: come 2026, that moment of panic when you can’t find your driver’s license could cost you more than just anxiety — it’ll cost you $45, too.
