TSA REQUIRING PAYMENT FROM THOSE TRAVELING WITHOUT ACCEPTABLE ID
January 14, 2026
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On December 1, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration finalized plans to require passengers traveling without an acceptable form of ID to pay $45. The new fee applies per individual for a ten (10) day period so long as the individual can successfully verify his or her identity for each use during the 10-day period. Those passengers traveling without an acceptable ID will be required to pay the fee starting on February 1, 2026. Acceptable forms of ID include the following:
- REAL ID – Compliant driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Passengers without an acceptable ID will be permitted to pay the increased fee online before traveling. While TSA encourages passengers to pay online before arriving at the airport, there will be an option to pay the new fee at or near security checkpoints at most U.S. airports. Before TSA starts collecting the fee on February 1, 2026, passengers should be advised that traveling without an acceptable ID will require a payment of $45 fee to cover alternative identity verification expenses. While this new TSA Confirm.ID fee places no new requirements on carriers, airlines should nevertheless consider including information on their website to alert customers of this new TSA fee in the event that passengers do not travel with one of the above-referenced acceptable forms of ID.
Eckert Seamans’ Aviation Blog is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202.659.6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Tyler Myers at 202.659.6642 or trmyers@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
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