Travelers who haven’t upgraded to a REAL ID will soon have a new fallback when passing through airport security. Beginning February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow passengers without a REAL ID-compliant license to pay a $45 on-site identity verification fee, giving them a same-day option to complete airport screening rather than being turned away. The new fee is designed as a temporary bridge as the federal REAL ID mandate moves closer to full enforcement.

Under the updated process, passengers who arrive without REAL ID will undergo a more extensive identity check performed directly by TSA officials. The agency says the $45 charge reflects the additional time, staffing, and verification steps required. While the new option allows travelers to proceed through security, TSA emphasized that it is not a substitute for obtaining the federally compliant ID ahead of the May 7, 2025 deadline.

Millions of Americans are expected to travel in 2025 without a REAL ID-compliant license, raising concerns about delays and screening disruptions—especially during peak travel seasons. The new fee-based alternative could help ease congestion at security checkpoints, particularly at major airports where traveler volumes remain above pre-pandemic levels.

For passengers, the change introduces both flexibility and cost. Those relying on the $45 verification process should expect longer screening times and additional documentation requirements. TSA still recommends that travelers update to a REAL ID as soon as possible to avoid the fee and streamline future airport security experiences.

With the mandate less than four months away, the agency is preparing for a final nationwide push to educate travelers. The new fee option may help prevent last-minute travel disruptions, but TSA’s message remains clear: the easiest and least expensive route is still upgrading to REAL ID before enforcement begins.