TSA to Charge $45 Identity‑Verification Fee Feb. 1 — What Inland Empire Flyers Need to Know
Beginning Feb. 1, 2026, adults without REAL ID‑compliant identification who attempt domestic U.S. travel may be charged a nonrefundable $45 TSA ConfirmID fee to request manual identity verification at airport security; pre‑payment is required and confirmation is not guaranteed.
Key takeaways
- Adults 18 and older who lack a REAL ID, passport or other accepted ID may be charged a $45 identity‑verification fee. (Sources: U.S. Department of Defense travel notice; Pay.gov)
- The fee takes effect Feb. 1, 2026, applies to domestic U.S. flights, is nonrefundable, and Pay.gov receipts are valid for 10 days from the travel start date. (DoD notice; Pay.gov)
- Pre‑pay via TSA ConfirmID on Pay.gov; payment allows an attempt at manual verification but does not guarantee access to the secure area or boarding. (TSA ConfirmID (Pay.gov); DoD notice)
- Acceptable IDs (REAL ID, passport, trusted‑traveler cards, DoD IDs, etc.) still avoid the fee; see official TSA REAL ID information.
What the new TSA ConfirmID $45 fee means
Beginning Feb. 1, the TSA will require adults without acceptable ID to pay $45 when requesting that officers manually check and confirm identity at airport security. The agency says the charge offsets extra time, staffing and digital verification systems used during the identity‑verification process.
The official payment portal is a Pay.gov form tied to TSA ConfirmID. The Pay.gov page lists accepted payment methods including bank transfer (ACH), debit or credit card, PayPal and Venmo. Payments are nonrefundable and are valid for 10 days from the travel start date provided on the form.
“Paying the fee only allows a traveler to attempt the manual verification. If the identity cannot be confirmed, the traveler can be denied access to the secure screening area and miss their flight.”
Who is affected — and who is not
- Adults: Applies to travelers aged 18 and older. Children under 18 generally do not need identification for domestic flights when traveling with a companion who has acceptable ID. (Sources: DoD travel notice; Pay.gov)
- Military travelers: The fee is not reimbursable for Department of Defense service members or civilians on official travel. (DoD notice)
- Fraud and penalties: Attempting to misrepresent identity during the process can trigger federal penalties. (Pay.gov)
Acceptable IDs that avoid the fee
Presenting any approved form of identification at the checkpoint eliminates the need to use ConfirmID. Acceptable documents include, among others:
- A REAL ID‑compliant driver’s license or state ID (in California, REAL IDs show a golden bear with a star in the upper right corner). (Sources: DoD travel notice; TSA REAL ID information)
- A U.S. passport or passport card. (DoD travel notice)
- DHS trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST.
- A state Enhanced Driver’s License.
- U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including Common Access Cards and dependent IDs. (DoD travel notice)
For a full, current list of acceptable documents, TSA directs travelers to its website: TSA REAL ID information.
How to use TSA ConfirmID and avoid surprises at the checkpoint
- Pre‑pay online: Californians who know they will travel without acceptable ID can pre‑pay the $45 via TSA ConfirmID at Pay.gov. The form asks for legal name, travel start date and payment. Travelers must present the printed or electronic Pay.gov receipt at the checkpoint. Each adult traveler pays separately.
- Watch your dates: The Pay.gov receipt is valid for 10 days. If travel is delayed past that window, travelers must pay again. Payments are nonrefundable. (Pay.gov)
- Bring backup: If possible, bring alternative acceptable documents such as a passport or trusted traveler card to avoid the process altogether. (TSA REAL ID information)
- Plan extra time: Manual identity checks take longer than standard screening. Expect delays, especially at busy airports and peak travel times.
What to know about REAL ID in California
If your California driver’s license does not show the gold bear with a star in the upper right corner, it is not REAL ID‑compliant. Californians who travel often should consider applying for a REAL ID through the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV requires identity documentation such as proof of legal name and date of birth, Social Security number, and proof of California residency. Appointments at DMV offices may be required, so plan ahead. For official steps and documents, check the California DMV website and TSA REAL ID information.
Investigative context: Why the fee now?
TSA and other federal agencies have steadily tightened identity rules since REAL ID legislation and enforcement deadlines. The ConfirmID $45 fee is part of a push to streamline on‑the‑spot checks and to encourage travelers to carry compliant IDs; officials say the fee helps cover extra staffing and technology for real‑time verification at crowded checkpoints. (DoD travel notice)
Local angle: Airports and travel patterns that matter to Inland Empire residents
Inland Empire flyers commonly use Ontario International Airport (ONT), Los Angeles International (LAX), and John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) for domestic travel. High traffic at these hubs means the ConfirmID process could cause longer lines for travelers who arrive without acceptable ID. Ontario International serves Riverside and San Bernardino counties for leisure and business travel; even small delays can ripple into missed connections and tight itineraries.
Implications for the Inland Empire, California
- Economic impact: The nonrefundable $45 charge may disproportionately affect lower‑income residents and small businesses that rely on occasional travel.
- Airport operations: ONT and regional checkpoints could see slower processing and require earlier arrival times, potentially straining peak‑hour staffing.
- Social effects: Families facing last‑minute travel for emergencies may face added stress; children under 18 remain exempt when traveling with a companion who has acceptable ID.
- Political and civic concerns: The fee raises access and fairness questions. Local leaders and community groups in Riverside and San Bernardino counties may need to help residents navigate REAL ID steps or organize DMV assistance drives.
- Practical tips for Inland Empire residents:
- Check your license now. If it lacks the golden bear and star, schedule a REAL ID appointment at the DMV well before travel.
- Carry a U.S. passport or trusted traveler card if available to eliminate the need for ConfirmID. (TSA REAL ID information)
- If you must use ConfirmID, pre‑pay via Pay.gov and bring receipt on your phone and a printed backup.
- Allow extra time at ONT and LAX during peak travel days.
- If traveling on official DoD business, note the fee is not reimbursable. (DoD notice)
Sources and links
- U.S. Department of Defense travel notice: Travelers without REAL ID could pay $45 fee for TSA’s ConfirmID beginning Feb. 1, 2026
- TSA REAL ID information
- TSA ConfirmID payment form (Pay.gov)
- Local reporting example: Metro Airport summary
What to do next
If you live in the Inland Empire and plan to fly, check your ID today. If your license is not REAL ID‑compliant, visit the California DMV to learn how to upgrade and schedule an appointment. If you must travel without an approved ID, pre‑pay through TSA ConfirmID on Pay.gov, carry the receipt, and give yourself extra time at the airport to reduce the risk of missing your flight.
