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Starting February 1, travelers without a REAL ID or another approved form of identification will have a new option to fly, but it comes with a cost. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is introducing TSA ConfirmID, an optional process allowing travelers to verify their identity for a $45 fee. This process involves providing "biographic and/or biometric information" to confirm the traveler's identity and ensure they are not on a Secure Flight watch list.
The TSA advises travelers to complete the TSA ConfirmID process before arriving at the airport to avoid potential delays. According to TSA, travelers who do not have a REAL ID and have not completed the ConfirmID process may face additional screening measures, which could lead to missed flights. The TSA emphasizes that the $45 fee is intended to cover the cost of processing travelers without acceptable IDs, ensuring that taxpayers are not burdened.
The ConfirmID process is valid for 10 days from the date of travel, which means travelers with return flights within this period do not need to repeat the process. However, the TSA warns that identity verification is not guaranteed, and travelers without acceptable IDs may still be denied access to flights.
Since May, travelers have been informed that a REAL ID or another approved form of identification is required to board domestic flights. As of December, over 94% of travelers were compliant with the REAL ID requirement. For those without a REAL ID, The Hill reports that other acceptable forms of ID include passports, Department of Defense IDs, and photo IDs issued by federally recognized Tribal Nations.
For more information on the TSA ConfirmID process and acceptable forms of identification, travelers can visit the TSA website.