TSA Introduces New $45 Fee for Travelers Without REAL ID. Why Passports Matter More Than Ever.
What It Means and Why Passports Matter More Than Ever
Starting February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration will introduce a new $45 fee option for travelers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification.
For many travelers, this change may seem like a small inconvenience. But for students, first time travelers, and underserved communities, it highlights a deeper issue: access to proper identification is not equal.
What Is the New $45 TSA Fee?
Under the new policy, passengers who do not present an acceptable ID at TSA checkpoints and still want to fly will be referred to TSA ConfirmID, a modernized alternative identity verification system.
Travelers can pay $45 to use this system, which covers a 10 day travel period. However, TSA makes it clear that:
The fee is optional, but identity verification is required to fly
Approval is not guaranteed
Travelers should expect longer wait times
Passengers who already have a REAL ID, passport, or other approved identification will not be affected by this fee.
Who Needs to Pay the Fee?
The fee applies to travelers who arrive without acceptable identification, including those with non REAL ID compliant state licenses or IDs.
Acceptable forms of ID include:
REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses or state IDs
U.S. passports or passport cards
DHS trusted traveler cards
Permanent resident cards
Military and veteran IDs
Certain foreign passports and tribal identification cards
If you have one of these, you will not need to pay the fee.
Why This Matters
At The Passport Portal, we believe travel is transformative, but only when people can actually access it.
Obtaining a REAL ID or passport requires documentation, time, transportation, and money. For many families, gathering birth certificates, proof of address, or scheduling DMV appointments is not simple. Adding a $45 fee at the airport can turn a missing document into a missed flight, missed opportunity, or missed experience.
While TSA reports that over 94 percent of travelers already use acceptable identification, the remaining percentage often includes those who face systemic barriers.
Passports Are the Long Term Solution
A U.S. passport is one of the easiest ways to avoid this fee entirely. It is accepted for both domestic and international travel and provides long term flexibility without last minute stress at the airport.
This is why our work matters.
A passport is not just for vacations. It opens doors to:
Study abroad programs
Educational and career opportunities
Cultural exchange and global awareness
The Passport Portal’s Mission
The Passport Portal exists to ensure that no student is left behind because of paperwork or cost.
As travel policies continue to evolve, we remain committed to:
Helping students obtain their first passport
Educating families about travel readiness
Advocating for equitable access to global experiences
Travel should expand horizons, not create new barriers.
Now more than ever, preparing early and having the right documentation can make the difference between staying grounded and exploring the world.
Because everyone deserves the opportunity to see beyond their borders.