TSA COULD CHARGE FEE TO PASSENGERS TRAVELING WITHOUT REAL ID
December 12, 2025
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On November 20, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration announced plans to implement a modernized alternative identity verification program for passengers traveling without a REAL ID or passport. For passengers traveling without either a REAL ID or passport, TSA’s modernized alternative identity verification program would provide an opportunity for those passengers to be processed through checkpoints after paying $18. Due to government-incurred costs and the time associated with running the alternative program, TSA would collect the $18 fee from individuals who fail to present a REAL ID or passport at airport security and then request to use the alternative program. The $18 non-refundable fee would be collected per individual. Identity verification would then be valid for a 10-day use period provided the traveler can successfully verify his or her identity for each use. Since participation in the new alternative program does not guarantee that passengers will be granted access beyond airport checkpoints, carriers and ticket agents should strongly encourage passengers to travel with acceptable forms of identification, such as a REAL ID or passport.
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