Air travelers in the United States who do not have a REAL ID will be required to pay a $45 fee starting in February, according to an announcement from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Monday.
Since May, the updated identification has been mandatory for domestic air travel. However, passengers without it have been permitted to pass through security after undergoing extra screening and receiving a warning. The Department of Homeland Security reports that 94% of travelers already comply with the REAL ID requirement. The new fee is intended to further encourage people to obtain the necessary identification.
REAL ID is a state-issued driver’s license or identification card that meets federal standards established after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. These IDs are marked by a white star inside a yellow circle in most states. Obtaining one requires presenting more documentation at motor vehicle agencies than what is needed for standard IDs. The program was initially set for implementation in 2008 but faced repeated delays.
Beginning February 1, domestic flyers aged 18 and older who do not have a REAL ID or another accepted form of identification, such as a passport, will need to pay the non-refundable fee to verify their identity using TSA’s “Confirm.ID” system.
TSA officials stated: “Paying the fee does not guarantee verification, and travelers whose identities cannot be verified may be turned away.” If approved through this process, identity verification is valid for up to ten days of travel.
Travelers can pay the $45 fee online before arriving at the airport or while at the airport prior to entering security lines. Officials noted that processing could take up to half an hour if done at the airport.
Originally, TSA considered charging $18 for this service but increased it upon determining that costs for running the alternative identification program were higher than expected.
