Overview
- Travelers without a Real ID or other accepted identification must use TSA Confirm.ID, a paid electronic identity check that costs $45 and is nonrefundable.
- Confirm.ID verification lasts about 10 days, can be completed online in advance with proof presented at security, and may take 10–30 minutes if done at the airport.
- Payment will be processed through government channels such as pay.gov, and completion of the process does not guarantee passage if identity cannot be confirmed.
- Accepted alternatives that avoid the fee include U.S. or foreign passports, DHS Trusted Traveler cards, Department of Defense IDs, green cards, tribal IDs, enhanced state IDs, and eligible mobile IDs supported at more than 250 airports.
- TSA says over 94% of passengers already present valid ID, warns of possible longer waits for others, notes the fee supersedes an earlier $18 proposal, and confirms minors are generally exempt and undocumented travelers departing internationally will use other checks.