Starting Feb. 1, 2026, most U.S. travelers must show REAL ID-compliant IDs or pay a $45 fee for airport screening.

Beginning on February 1, 2026, passengers on domestic U.S. Flights must either pay a $45 fee via the TSA's ConfirmID online system or present a REAL ID-compliant license or another valid form of identification, such as a passport. For ten days, the fee permits temporary identity verification. About 6% of travelers are impacted because 94% of them already have compliant IDs. The REAL ID Act, which was passed in 2005 to improve security standards, is enforced by the policy. Passports, military IDs, trusted traveler cards, and permanent resident cards are acceptable substitutes. Youngsters under the age of eighteen are exempt. You can find more information on TSA.gov.