Airport security has undergone several changes in the last year — from keeping your shoes on to new restrictions on what you can pack in checked bags. Now, TSA is rolling out another major shift, and this one may hit California travelers in the wallet.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2026, TSA will charge a $45 identity‑verification fee for travelers who arrive at airport security without a REAL ID, passport, or another approved ID. The fee is part of TSA’s push to tighten identity screening ahead of the long-delayed national REAL ID enforcement deadline.
Here’s what this means for California flyers — and how to avoid paying the fee altogether.
TSA may charge $45 to get through security without Real ID, passport
TSA first floated a lower $18 fee in late 2025, but the agency later updated its policy: the cost to have TSA verify your identity at the checkpoint will now be $45 per traveler, effective Feb. 1.
Under the rule, travelers who arrive without the required ID will undergo TSA’s manual identity‑verification process. According to TSA and ABC News, the fee covers the additional screening time, staffing, and digital verification systems required to confirm someone’s identity on the spot.
There’s no guarantee TSA will be able to verify a traveler’s identity — meaning you could still be denied boarding, even after paying the fee.
How to pay the $45 fee ahead of time through TSA’s ConfirmID portal
Californians who already know they’ll be traveling without an approved ID can pre‑pay the $45 through TSA ConfirmID, an online portal designed to speed up the identity check at the airport.
How ConfirmID works:
Pay the $45 identity‑verification fee online before your trip.
The payment is valid for 10 days, so frequent travelers won’t have to pay twice if flying again within that window.
Bring a copy of your ConfirmID receipt.
Present your non‑compliant ID (such as a standard California driver’s license) along with proof of payment at the TSA checkpoint.
Even with pre‑payment, TSA still warns that identity verification is not guaranteed.
How to get a REAL ID in California
California is one of the nation’s busiest air‑travel states, and after years of federal delays, the REAL ID deadline finally went into effect on May 7, 2025. Starting then, you will need a REAL ID (or passport) to board domestic flights.
More than 18.6 million Californians already have a REAL ID as of Feb. 1, according to the DMV. Here’s how to get yours.
Step 1: Start the application online
Visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov to begin the process.You’ll:
Complete the online application
Upload required documents
Choose a DMV office for your in‑person visit
Starting online should cut your DMV visit to around 15 minutes, according to the agency.
Step 2: Bring your required documents to the DMV
You must bring originals (no photocopies):
Proof of Identity (one of these)
Proof you live in California (two of these)
Proof of Social Security number(Some exceptions apply; details are on the DMV site.)
Step 3: Look for the Bear and Star
REAL IDs in California feature a golden bear with a star in the upper right corner. If your license doesn’t have this symbol, it’s not REAL ID‑compliant.
Want to avoid the $45 Fee? These IDs will work at TSA
If you don’t have a REAL ID but want to skip the fee entirely, TSA accepts several documents:
Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID
A temporary California driver’s license is not accepted for air travel.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What Californians need to know about TSA’s $45 fee for travelers