Your Guide to TSA's REAL ID Enforcement
At Collective Travel Design, we're not just here to plan your dream vacation—we're here to make sure every part of your journey is smooth, from the moment you leave home to the moment you return. That includes helping you navigate airport security like a pro. If you're planning to fly domestically after February 1, 2026, there's a critical TSA update you need to know about.
Starting February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will enforce a new rule requiring all travelers 18 and older to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/ID or a valid passport at airport security checkpoints.
If you don’t have one of these acceptable forms of ID, you’ll still technically be able to fly, but you’ll be charged a $45 identity-verification fee to use TSA’s alternative process (called TSA Confirm.ID) for each travel period.
✈️ What You Need To Know
What counts as acceptable ID:
To avoid the fee and potential delays, at least one of the following must be presented at the TSA security checkpoint:
REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID (look for the star marking on your card)
Valid U.S. passport or passport card
Trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, etc.)
Other federally accepted IDs (e.g., military ID, permanent resident card)
Age requirement:
This applies to travelers 18 years and older. Children under 18 can fly domestically without a REAL ID if accompanied by an adult with acceptable ID.
How the $45 fee works:
The fee covers identity verification through TSA Confirm.ID for a 10-day travel period.
You can pay the $45 in advance (recommended to speed things up at the airport), or at a marked location near checkpoints on the day of travel.
Note: Non-refundable, and paying doesn’t absolutely guarantee boarding if identity can’t be verified.
Why this matters:
TSA implemented this to ensure secure, modern identity verification and to shift the cost of advanced processing to travelers who lack compliant ID.
🌍 Tips to Avoid Fees & Delays
✅ Check your ID now: If your driver’s license doesn’t have a star (indicating REAL ID compliance), schedule a visit to your local DMV to upgrade it before February 1.
✅ Use your passport: If you already have a valid passport or passport card, bring it with you instead of your standard driver’s license.
✅ Upload and pay ahead (if needed): If you’re still getting your REAL ID, consider paying the Confirm.ID fee online before your travel date to reduce time at the airport.
✅ Plan extra time: Identity verification via TSA Confirm.ID can take 10–30 minutes if done at the airport, potentially causing delays.
If you or anyone you know plans to travel after February 1, 2026, make sure you’ve updated your ID now or plan ahead to avoid unnecessary fees and stress at the airport.
Helpful links:
To get a REAL ID, visit tsa.gov/realid and click on your state or territory.
To get the Confirm.ID prior to traveling, visit the TSA Confirm. ID website, upload your documents, and pay the $45 fee. Be sure to bring a copy of your Confirm.ID receipt to the standard TSA line at the airport to proceed through security.
Let us know if you want help checking what counts as acceptable ID for your state!
