US domestic travelers without REAL ID face new $45 fee starting February

Domestic airline passengers in the U.S. who lack a REAL ID or other valid identification may be required to pay a $45 fee starting Feb. 1.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the fee will cover its "ConfirmID" identity verification service. While the verification process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes, officials warned the procedure could take longer depending on the circumstances.

Identification confirmations issued through the service are valid for 10 days. Travelers are encouraged to pay the fee online before arriving at the airport to avoid delays, as TSA checkpoints will not accept cash.

Passports, U.S. passport cards, and other federal government-issued cards remain acceptable forms of identification. Children under the age of 18 traveling with an adult are not required to show ID.

The new fee arrives ahead of a looming federal deadline. Beginning May 7, 2025, standard state-issued driver’s licenses or ID cards will no longer be accepted for boarding domestic flights.

The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) decision to impose a $45 identity verification fee signals a shift toward hard enforcement as the May 2025 REAL ID deadline approaches. Effectively functioning as a fiscal penalty for non-compliance, the fee introduces a strategic financial barrier designed to compel travelers to update their credentials.

At $45, the surcharge notably exceeds the $30 cost of a U.S. Passport Card—one of the accepted federal alternatives—suggesting the agency is leveraging price to drive long-term behavioral shifts. This policy places a disproportionate burden on low-income and infrequent travelers who may face logistical or financial hurdles in obtaining new documentation.

Beyond the immediate cost, the operational friction inherent in the new protocol is substantial. Requiring non-compliant passengers to exit the security checkpoint to complete an online payment before re-queuing from the start creates a major logistical bottleneck. This move risks increased rates of missed flights and directly contradicts broader industry efforts to streamline airport throughput.

Ultimately, this regulatory pivot underscores the hardening of federal identification mandates. While the list of acceptable documents remains broad, the TSA is making it clear that the path of least resistance—both financially and operationally—is the adoption of REAL ID or a passport. As the deadline nears, this "fee-for-service" model is likely to trigger a surge in applications as travelers move to avoid the costs of non-compliance.

For the Vietnamese-American community—from the heart of Little Saigon to those working in the nail salon industry or running phở restaurants—these policy updates deserve close attention. Fortunately, most common immigration documents are still accepted for travel. Specifically, TSA lists Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (I-766) as valid forms of identification.

This means that if you possess these documents, you are not mandated to get a state-issued REAL ID for domestic flights; your valid green card or work permit is sufficient. This significantly reduces the administrative burden for many families. However, whether you are traveling for leisure or managing affairs like remittances and family sponsorships (such as F2B, H-1B, TPS, or EB-5 cases), always double-check your documents before your trip. Taking a moment to verify your ID can save you from a $45 fee and any potential complications at the airport.