What happens if you don’t have a REAL ID at TSA? As of 8 November 2026, you can still try to fly, but it is no longer free or simple. TSA says travelers who cannot show a REAL ID or another acceptable ID can pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID. TSA then tries to verify who you are, and there is no guarantee it will succeed. The easiest fix is a valid passport or a REAL ID.
Do you still need a REAL ID to fly in the US?
Yes, in practice. TSA’s REAL ID page says enforcement began on May 7, 2025. Since then, adults need a REAL ID-compliant license or ID, or another acceptable form of ID, to board domestic flights. The TSA identification page says non-REAL ID state licenses are no longer accepted at airport checkpoints.
A compliant card usually has a star marking near the top. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses from Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington are also accepted, and they often have no star. If you are unsure about your card, TSA suggests checking with your state driver’s licensing agency (DMV).
A temporary paper license does not count. TSA’s identification page states that a temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of ID.
What is TSA ConfirmID and what does it cost?
TSA ConfirmID is an optional identity-check process for travelers who show up without an acceptable ID. According to TSA, it started on February 1, 2026, and costs $45. TSA’s press release says the fee means travelers without acceptable ID, rather than taxpayers, cover the cost of processing them.
How the fee works
- You pay online through Pay.gov. TSA’s ConfirmID page lists ACH, debit or credit card, Venmo and PayPal.
- You enter the traveler’s legal name and travel start date. Someone else can pay for you, but the details must be correct.
- The payment covers 10 days from the start date you enter, according to the ConfirmID page.
- Each adult aged 18 or older has to complete the process separately.
- At the airport, show the receipt from your confirmation email, printed or on your phone, to a TSA officer.
The fee pays for the attempt, not for a result. TSA’s page says it will try to verify your identity but that there is “no guarantee TSA can do so.” The identification page adds that if your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed into the screening checkpoint. The pages reviewed do not mention refunds.
What happens at the checkpoint without ID or payment
TSA recommends paying before you go to the airport. Its January 2026 press release warns that travelers who arrive without acceptable ID and have not paid face extra delays, which can take up to 30 minutes and may cause a missed flight. All ConfirmID users should also expect added ID verification, extra screening and possible delays.
The May 2025 DHS release on full enforcement describes a similar picture. Travelers with a non-compliant state ID and no other acceptable ID may be notified and sent to a separate area for additional screening.
Which IDs does TSA accept instead of a REAL ID?
You do not need a REAL ID if you have another acceptable ID. TSA’s list, as read on 8 November 2026, includes the following. TSA says the list may change without notice, so check it again before you travel.
| Type of ID | Examples from TSA’s list |
|---|---|
| State ID | REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, Enhanced Driver’s License or ID, approved mobile driver’s licenses |
| Passports | U.S. passport, passport card, foreign government-issued passport |
| Trusted traveler cards | Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST |
| Government and military | U.S. Department of Defense ID (including dependents), HSPD-12 PIV card, Veteran Health Identification Card |
| Immigration documents | Permanent resident card, border crossing card, I-766 Employment Authorization Card |
| Other | Federally recognized Tribal Nation photo ID, Canadian provincial driver’s license, TWIC, U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential |
TSA also lists several digital IDs that are in testing, including Apple Digital ID, Google ID Pass and Samsung ID with CLEAR. TSA accepts expired versions of the listed IDs up to two years after expiration, according to the same page.
REAL ID, passport or ConfirmID: which is best?
| Option | Cost | Certainty at TSA | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| REAL ID | Set by your state | Accepted | Frequent domestic flyers |
| Passport or passport card | Check travel.state.gov | Accepted | Anyone who already has one; required for international trips |
| TSA ConfirmID | $45 per adult | No guarantee | A one-off emergency, such as a lost or non-compliant license |
For information only, not financial advice. Passport fees are not covered by the pages reviewed here, so check the State Department for current prices.
How to get a REAL ID
You apply through your state’s driver’s licensing agency. TSA’s REAL ID FAQs say the minimum proof usually includes these items, though states may ask for more:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Two proofs of address for your main home
- Proof of lawful status
Some states let you upload documents before your visit, but you must still bring the originals. Under the REAL ID Modernization Act, states no longer have to require a physical Social Security document, but they must still collect your number and verify it with the Social Security Administration. Some states still ask for the card, so read your state’s checklist first.
A REAL ID cannot be used to enter Canada or Mexico or for other international travel. For that you still need a passport, according to the same FAQs.
What to do now
- Look at your license for a star, or the word “Enhanced.”
- If it has neither, check whether you hold another acceptable ID, such as a valid passport or passport card.
- If you have nothing acceptable, book a DMV appointment where your state offers them, and bring your documents.
- If you must fly before you can get one, pay for ConfirmID on Pay.gov before leaving for the airport and save the receipt.
- Allow extra time. TSA says delays can reach up to 30 minutes, and verification is not guaranteed.
While you plan the trip, you may also want to read our guides on carry-on bag sizes on US airlines, whether a travel eSIM is worth it and whether you need an International Driving Permit in Europe. For booking ideas, see our flight deals page.
FAQ
Do children need a REAL ID to fly?
TSA says it does not require ID for children under 18 traveling within the U.S. Unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to get expedited screening. TSA suggests asking your airline about its own rules for under-18s.
Can I use a passport instead of a REAL ID?
Yes. TSA and DHS both name a passport as an acceptable alternative for domestic flights. A passport card is also on TSA’s list.
How long does the ConfirmID payment last?
TSA’s ConfirmID page says the fee covers 10 days from the travel date on your receipt. It is paid per traveler, so each adult needs their own payment.
Bottom line
As of 8 November 2026, tsa.gov still shows the $45 TSA ConfirmID fee for travelers without acceptable ID, and enforcement of REAL ID has been in place since May 7, 2025. ConfirmID is a back-up, not a guarantee. A passport or a REAL ID is cheaper in stress and more reliable. Rules and fees can change, so check tsa.gov before you fly.
Sources
- TSA: REAL ID
- TSA: TSA ConfirmID
- TSA: Acceptable identification at the checkpoint
- TSA press release: $45 fee option begins February 1
- TSA: REAL ID FAQs
- DHS: TSA begins REAL ID full enforcement
