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After years of delays, the REAL ID requirement finally took effect earlier this year. This marked a major shift in airport identification standards across the United States. While REAL ID or a valid passport is now required to pass through TSA security checkpoints, travelers have still been able to fly without these documents by undergoing additional identity-verification procedures. Beginning February 1st, those extra steps will come with a cost.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that passengers who arrive at airport security without a REAL ID or passport will be required to pay a $45 fee to complete identity verification through a new biometric or biographic system. The fee replaces an earlier proposal of $18 and reflects what the agency says is the necessary cost to cover the technology, staffing, and administrative work required to authenticate travelers who lack compliant identification.
Passengers who know in advance that they will need identity verification will be able to pay online through Pay.gov (with TSA.gov soon offering a similar option). Once payment and verification are completed, travelers will receive an email confirmation to present to the TSA officer at the checkpoint. The verification process is expected to take 10 to 15 minutes on average, though TSA warns it could take up to 30 minutes or longer depending on circumstances. Even after completing the steps and paying the fee, approval to pass through security is not guaranteed (as the system must still successfully confirm the traveler’s identity).
Travelers who show up to the checkpoint without an acceptable ID will be removed from the line and required to complete the online verification and payment before rejoining screening. Once paid, the $45 fee covers identity verification for up to 10 days, which allows most round-trip travelers to return through TSA without paying again. After the q0-day window expires, the fee must be paid again for any future trip without compliant ID. The policy also applies to individuals whose REAL ID or passport has been lost or stolen (even if they previously had valid documentation).
TSA states that the new fee ensures the cost of the identity-verification program is borne by travelers who require the service rather than by taxpayers. The agency describes the system as an essential next step in REAL ID enforcement and helps officers confirm identities using biometric comparison and cross-checking against the Secure Flight watch list.
According to TSA, approximately 94% of travelers already present a REAL ID, passport, or other acceptable identification at security checkpoints. The new fee is designed to manage the remaining percentage who still arrive without proper documents, whether due to delays in obtaining REAL ID, unexpected circumstances, or simple forgetfulness.
Anthony’s Take: With the February 1st effective date approaching, TSA encourages travelers to obtain compliant ID as soon as possible to avoid delays, fees, and uncertainty at airport security. I think this is a great idea as REAL ID warnings have been issued for some time and people should be prepared.
(Image Credits: TSA.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
