Flying in the U.S. Without a REAL ID: ConfirmID, Accepted IDs and Holiday Tips

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The holiday travel rush is coming, and airport security lines are about to get busy. If you are flying within the United States, the ID in your wallet matters more than ever. REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025, and since February 1, 2026, travelers who show up without an acceptable ID can face a $45 identity verification fee through TSA’s ConfirmID program. Here is how to check your ID, which alternatives TSA accepts and what to do if you are not ready.

What REAL ID Means for Air Travel

REAL ID is a federal standard for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards. Since enforcement began on May 7, 2025, travelers 18 and older need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to pass through TSA checkpoints for domestic flights. Most compliant cards display a star in the upper portion of the card, often inside a gold or black circle or a state-specific symbol. If you are unsure, check with your state’s driver licensing agency.

IDs TSA Accepts Instead of a REAL ID License

You do not need a REAL ID license if you have another acceptable ID. Common alternatives include:

  • A valid U.S. passport or passport card
  • A U.S. military ID
  • A permanent resident card
  • DHS trusted traveler cards, such as Global Entry or NEXUS
  • A state-issued enhanced driver’s license, available in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington
  • A photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation

TSA notes that interim paper driver’s licenses are not currently accepted. If your new card has not arrived, bring a passport or another accepted ID. Check TSA’s website for the full, current list before you fly.

What Is TSA ConfirmID?

ConfirmID is TSA’s paid identity verification option for travelers who arrive at the airport without an acceptable ID, including those with a non-compliant license or a lost ID. Key details reported when the program launched:

  • Cost: $45 per traveler.
  • Coverage: the payment covers a 10-day travel period.
  • How to pay: online at tsa.gov/ConfirmID before you travel, with confirmation from Pay.gov. Payment options can also be found at or near the checkpoint at most airports.
  • What to bring: whatever government-issued ID you have, plus a printed or digital copy of your receipt.
  • No guarantee: paying does not ensure you can fly. If TSA cannot verify your identity, you may not be allowed through security.

TSA has said travelers using ConfirmID should expect delays. Verification may take several minutes or longer, so arrive well ahead of your usual time.

Traveling With Children

TSA does not require children under 18 to show identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The adult traveling with them must have acceptable ID. Airlines may have their own rules for unaccompanied minors and for infants flying on a lap, such as proof of age, so check with your airline before departure.

Holiday Travel Checklist

  • Check your ID today. Look for the star on your license, or locate your passport and confirm it has not expired.
  • Update your license early. State licensing offices can be busy before the holidays. Many allow online appointment booking. Bring the documents your state requires, typically proof of identity, Social Security number and residency.
  • Pay for ConfirmID in advance if you know you will not have an acceptable ID.
  • Arrive early. Holiday checkpoints are busier, and ID problems add time.
  • Use the TSA website or app to check what you can carry on and current guidance.
  • Consider TSA PreCheck for faster screening at participating airports if you fly often. You still need acceptable ID.

International Travelers in the U.S.

Visitors from abroad can use their foreign passport as identification for domestic flights. Keep it with you rather than in checked luggage.

Getting a REAL ID: What to Bring

If you decide to upgrade your license, start early. Each state sets its own process within federal rules, so check your state driver licensing website for its exact list. In general, you will be asked for original or certified documents showing:

  • Your identity and lawful status, such as a U.S. passport or certified birth certificate
  • Your Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or W-2
  • Two proofs of your residential address, such as a utility bill or bank statement
  • Name-change documents, such as a marriage certificate, if your current name differs from the one on your identity document

Many states let you start the application online, which can shorten your visit. Allow time for the card to arrive by mail, and keep a passport handy for flights in the meantime, since TSA does not accept interim paper licenses. If you already have a valid passport or passport card, you can use it for domestic flights; just remember to pack it.

FAQ

Can I fly with an expired license?

TSA’s identification rules have allowed some recently expired IDs in limited circumstances, but policies can change. Check TSA’s current ID page before relying on an expired card.

Is ConfirmID the same as TSA PreCheck?

No. PreCheck is an expedited screening program you enroll in ahead of time. ConfirmID is a fee-based identity verification process for travelers without acceptable ID.

Does my child need a REAL ID?

Not for domestic flights with an adult companion. Children under 18 are not required to show ID at TSA checkpoints in that situation.

Sources

Featured image: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

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