Florida’s domestic air travelers 18 and older who haven’t gotten their REAL IDs or other other acceptable identification will begin paying a $45 “ConfirmID” fee on Feb. 1.
The Transportation Security Administration says the fee is designed to recover administrative costs associated with additional screening, including database checks, knowledge-based questions or biometrics.
The additional screening can take 10 to 30 minutes, according to the TSA. Fees can be prepaid at pay.gov to speed up the process. There’s no guarantee it will be able to confirm the identification of all travelers, though.
The ConfirmID is good for 10 days from the date of travel. Using the ConfirmID is optional, but the TSA warns that non-REAL ID-compliant travelers who don’t use it may not be allowed through security and may miss their flights.
REAL ID cards, which have been required since May, are still encouraged. These state-issued license or identification cards were mandated following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The deadline to acquire one was originally scheduled for 2008, but the deadline was repeatedly postponed.
To get a REAL ID in Florida, residents must go in person to a driver’s license service center or tax collector’s office. Visit the FLHSMV website to find a location. Appointments are recommended.
To apply for a REAL ID compliant license or ID card, U.S. residents must bring one of the following primary documents with them to establish identity and show proof of residence and date of birth:
Valid, unexpired U.S. passport Original or certified copy of a birth certificate Consular report of birth abroad Certificate of naturalization issued by the Department of Homeland Security Certificate of citizenship
In cases where the current name and the name on the primary identity document are different, residents should also bring:
Court-ordered name-change document Marriage certificate Divorce decree
Non-citizens should bring with them:
Valid, unexpired permanent resident card Valid passport for non-immigrants, except for asylum applicants and refugees Other government-issued document showing the full name DHS document showing proof of lawful presence
If a non-citizen’s name has changed by divorce or marriage, they should have their name changed on their Citizen and Immigration Services documents, FLHSMV said.
Both citizens and non-citizens will also need their social security card or proof of social security number, and two documents that show their principal residence.
The Department of Homeland Security says about 94 percent of the air-traveling population is REAL ID compliant, meaning they’ve either gotten the updated driver’s licenses or have some acceptable form of identification, such as a valid U.S. passport, military identification or permanent resident card. TSA also accepts digital IDs through platforms such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet at more than 250 airports in the U.S.