TSA Replaces ID Verification Fee with $45 Confirm.ID Charge

The Transportation Security Administration has announced a revised approach to identity verification at airport security checkpoints, introducing TSA Confirm.ID—a paid service launching February 1, 2026, that charges $45 for a 10-day travel window.

This announcement supersedes previous guidance from November 2025, when the TSA outlined an $18 fee structure for a modernized identity-verification process. The agency has now increased the fee and rebranded the initiative as Confirm.ID, reflecting what TSA describes as the true operational costs of real-time identity verification.

Travelers who arrive at security checkpoints without REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses, approved federal identification, passports, or valid travel documents will be directed to this new paid pathway. The service uses biographic and biometric data matching against the traveler’s Secure Flight prescreening profile to confirm identity. Payment can be processed online before airport arrival or at designated locations near the checkpoint.

TSA emphasized that Confirm.ID remains optional but does not guarantee airport access if identity verification fails. The agency also warned that frequent users without proper identification may face usage restrictions over time, and temporary driver’s licenses do not qualify as acceptable identification for bypassing the program.

The fee revision reflects infrastructure expenses including technology development, IT systems, integration costs, and administrative overhead. By shifting these costs to individual users rather than taxpayers, the TSA aims to recover operational expenses while streamlining the verification process previously managed by the National Transportation Vetting Center—a more resource-intensive manual procedure.

With over 94% of passengers already presenting REAL ID-compliant or alternative acceptable identification, the TSA anticipates minimal disruption to overall airport operations. However, the agency warns that Confirm.ID users may experience delays, particularly during peak travel periods, and should expect additional screening protocols.

The move represents the TSA’s continued efforts to balance security requirements with passenger convenience following the May 7, 2025 implementation of the REAL ID mandate. The agency is actively working with private industry partners to expand online payment options and further streamline the user experience.

Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764640846256-1051