Have you taken a domestic flight in the past six months or so? You may have noticed a few things. For example, prices for airline tickets have gone up a bit in price. In addition, you haven’t had to remove your shoes to pass through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints since July. If you’re wondering why wait times still seem to last forever, it’s possible that the implementation of REAL ID-compliant measures in May 2025 could be adding to the delay. For those without an acceptable form of identification, getting through a TSA checkpoint might start taking even longer — and tap into your wallet as well.
In November 2025, the TSA published a rule in the Federal Register stating that travelers without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID would be subject to a new fee of $18 to pass through airport security. On December 1, the Agency upped that fee to $45, which is scheduled to go into effect on February 1, 2026. Noncompliant air travelers will need to provide identity verification through an online biographic or biometric process, which is estimated to add a minimum of at least 15 minutes to the undertaking.
Will the identification you currently possess be enough to satisfy the TSA officer and get you through the security line in time to catch your flight? Forewarned is forearmed, so let’s examine what the upcoming changes mean, the minimum identification you need to meet the bar, and what to expect in additional security screening measures if you fall short.
Fly the Unfriendly Skies
In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in an attempt to beef up airport security in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, hijacking of flights by terrorists. In theory, a REAL ID provides stronger proof of a traveler’s identity before allowing them to board a plane. REAL IDs are issued through state motor vehicle departments and are usually part of a driver’s license. The exact requirements can vary by state, but those seeking a REAL ID must provide documentation for the following as the bare minimum for a successful application:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Two (2) proofs of address at primary residence (tax bill, utility bill, etc.)
- Lawful status
REAL ID licenses will bear one of five star-related symbols as an indicator.
Other forms of identification are equally acceptable for use in TSA lines, accessing certain federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants. These include:
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID) (These have a flag image along with the word ENHANCED and are available in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington)
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including 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)
Some states allow the use of digital IDs as well. TSA.gov tracks which states accept digital ID and what forms are permitted.
What To Expect When You’re Expecting (Hassles Because You Don’t Have the Necessary ID)
Getting each state to a place where it could begin issuing REAL IDs was, to put it kindly, a bumpy road, but TSA officials began a soft rollout in May 2025. Those without a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID are often pulled from the regular TSA security line and subjected to a more extensive screening process.
As of February 1, 2026, this option will no longer be available. Travelers lacking a satisfactory form of ID will be required to complete the new verification process through the TSA website. It’s estimated that U.S. travelers will take 15 to 30 minutes to complete the online verification process, with the $45 fee allocated to IT and administrative costs. Each verification allows passage through TSA checkpoints for 10 days, after which the process must be repeated (and the fee paid again).
Online verification is still only part of the process, as travelers must still provide proof of their identity to the TSA agents. Given the potential for the February rollout to be less than smooth, it might be a good idea to ensure your travel documents meet all requirements before planning on catching the redeye for a lost weekend in Vegas.
Related Resources
- How To File a TSA Pat-Down Complaint (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)
- Guide to TSA Restrictions: From Carry-On Items to Security Checkpoints (FindLaw’s Consumer Protection Law)
- Air Travel Rules (FindLaw’s Right To Travel Laws)
