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TSA Proposes $18 Fee for Biometric Identity Checks for Travelers Without REAL ID

The notice starts public comment on a cost-recovery plan tied to biometric kiosk screening.

Overview

  • Under the proposal, travelers lacking acceptable ID could pay $18 to attempt identity verification via a new kiosk-enabled process that remains valid for 10 days.
  • The fee would be non-refundable and payment would not guarantee access to the secure area of the airport.
  • TSA says the system would use biographic and/or biometric data to verify identity and match travelers to their Secure Flight watch list result.
  • The agency notes participants may face additional screening or delays, while passports and other federally approved IDs remain acceptable at checkpoints.
  • The plan appears in a Federal Register notice and has not been implemented, with timing still unspecified and further guidance promised by TSA.