Passengers traveling by air who lack a required form of identification will soon be required to pay a $45 fee to clear security checkpoints at U.S. airports.
Effective February 1, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on Monday that it will implement a new $45 charge for passengers who need to utilize an alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, due to not possessing an “acceptable form of identification.” This fee will be valid for travel periods of up to 10 days. To avoid potential delays, the TSA advises travelers to complete the payment online prior to their arrival at the airport.
On May 7, the TSA initiated requirements for individuals to present REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or equivalent identification documents for air travel; however, those lacking these documents have, until now, still been allowed to fly following supplemental screening procedures.
The agency reports that over 94% of travelers presently use a REAL ID or another valid form of identification, like a passport. However, Adam Stahl, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA, stated on Monday, “we are obligated to verify the identity of every individual who boards a flight.”
In a statement released alongside the agency’s announcement, Stahl remarked, “This charge guarantees that the expense of verifying inadequate identification falls upon the traveler, rather than the taxpayer.” He added, “The safety of the flying public remains our utmost concern, therefore we strongly encourage all travelers to obtain a REAL ID or another acceptable ID without delay to prevent holdups and the risk of missing their flights.”
Below is essential information regarding REAL ID requirements and steps to ensure you can continue to fly without incurring additional fees in the coming year.
Defining REAL ID: How to Verify Your Identification
A REAL ID refers to a driver’s license or another identification document issued by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, adhering to the stipulations of the federal REAL ID Act.
Such IDs typically feature a distinctive symbol, often a white star within a circle, located in the upper right corner of the driver’s license or state identification card.
If unsure about the compliance of their identification, the TSA recommends contacting their respective state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
Enacted in 2005, the Act established updated regulations concerning the types of identification necessary for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities. This legislation stemmed from a 9/11 Commission report that outlined recommendations for the federal government to bolster its defenses against future terrorist acts. Following numerous postponements and extensions, including those occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, these requirements were finally put into full effect earlier this year.
It is important to note that REAL IDs are not valid for crossing borders into Canada or Mexico, nor for any other form of international travel.
Which Other Identification Forms Are Deemed “Acceptable”?
According to the TSA, the following alternative forms of identification are acceptable to bypass the fee:
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-trusted traveler cards, including Global Entry cards
- U.S. Department of Defense IDs, which includes those issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- “Acceptable photo ID” issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, such as Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
The TSA explicitly stated that temporary driver’s licenses do not qualify as acceptable identification.
Steps to Obtain a REAL ID
For those who do not yet possess a REAL ID-compliant identification, consult your Department of Motor Vehicles’ website for details on the application process and required documentation.
The TSA mandates that applicants, at minimum, present documents verifying their full legal name, date of birth, social security number, two proofs of address, and lawful status. Certain states may enforce further prerequisites.
Typically, applicants will need to furnish a primary document, such as a current U.S. passport, birth certificate, or Permanent Residence Card.
The expense associated with acquiring a REAL ID differs from state to state. While some states, for example, do not impose an extra charge beyond that of a new or replacement driver’s license, other states, like, might charge more for a REAL ID than for a standard identification.
Children are exempt from these concerns, as individuals under 18 years old are not obligated to present identification for domestic travel within the United States, and therefore do not require REAL IDs for such flights.
