Last updated: October 5, 2026.

REAL ID enforcement is no longer a future deadline. For U.S. domestic air travel, a state driver’s license or ID that is not REAL ID compliant is no longer accepted as the normal checkpoint credential unless you have another acceptable form of identification.

Who Needs to Think About ConfirmID?

If you have a valid REAL ID-compliant license, passport, permanent resident card, or another identification accepted by TSA, you normally do not need ConfirmID.

The paid process is designed for travelers who do not have an acceptable ID available but still want to attempt to fly.

How the $45 Fee Works

TSA directs travelers to pay the ConfirmID fee through Pay.gov. The payment is valid for 10 days from the travel start date entered during the process.

You should keep the confirmation email or payment receipt and be prepared to show it at the checkpoint. TSA says travelers can pay in advance, which can reduce delays at the airport.

Payment Is Not the Same as Approval

This is the most important limitation. The $45 fee does not buy access to the secure area. It pays for the alternative identity-verification process.

TSA still has to establish your identity. If the agency cannot verify you, you may not be allowed through security and could miss the flight.

How Much Extra Time Should You Expect?

TSA says the ConfirmID identity process averages about 10 to 15 minutes but can take 30 minutes or more. Airport lines, document issues, and additional screening can add more time.

If you already know you will need ConfirmID, arriving earlier than your normal airport routine is sensible.

What If Your ID Is Expired?

TSA currently says it accepts certain expired IDs for up to two years after expiration. That can be important if you assume an expired license automatically means you need the paid process.

Check the current TSA acceptable-identification page before paying, because the exact document rules matter.

Children and ID

TSA generally does not require children under 18 to provide identification for domestic travel, though airlines can have their own rules, especially for unaccompanied minors. Families should check airline requirements separately from TSA checkpoint rules.

Best Way to Avoid the Fee

If you travel regularly and are eligible for a REAL ID, updating your state identification is the simplest long-term solution. A valid passport or another TSA-accepted credential can also meet the checkpoint requirement.

ConfirmID is better treated as a backup for an identification problem, not as a replacement for carrying an accepted ID every time you fly.

Related reading: A check-first guide to impersonation scams · How to compare prices more carefully online

The Bottom Line

In 2026, forgetting or lacking an acceptable ID does not always end a domestic trip immediately, but the fallback now has a clear cost and process. TSA ConfirmID costs $45, is valid for a 10-day travel period, and gives TSA a way to attempt to verify your identity. It does not guarantee clearance, so carrying a REAL ID or another accepted credential remains the easier option.

Sources: TSA — ConfirmID $45 Announcement; Pay.gov — TSA ConfirmID Program Fee; TSA — Acceptable Identification.