Passengers Without REAL ID May Soon Have To Pay A Fee From TSA

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

Travelers who show up at airport checkpoints without a REAL ID or passport may soon have to pay for it, according to a new federal proposal that could change how millions of passengers move through security.

The Transportation Security Administration on Thursday, Nov. 20, detailed a proposed rule that would charge travelers a $18 fee if they rely on TSA’s biometric identity verification system instead of presenting a REAL ID or passport.

The biometric system confirms a person’s identity through facial verification and serves as an alternative to standard ID checks.

The fee would be non-refundable. TSA officials say the $18 charge covers the staff time and technology required to complete the biometric verification process. Once paid, the fee is valid for 10 days, allowing travelers who take more than one flight in that window to avoid paying again during that period.

REAL ID enforcement at airports began in May, and the proposed fee is designed to push travelers to obtain the federally mandated form of identification. Officials say the fee aligns with TSA’s long-term effort to modernize security and reduce delays tied to slower, older forms of verification.

The biometric program is meant to streamline airport lines by shifting identity checks from manual procedures to technology-based screening. TSA is working with airport partners to prepare for the change and intends to release additional guidance once the rule is finalized.

The proposal appeared in the Federal Register in November, launching a public comment period before the rule can take effect. Feedback collected during that time may shape the final version of the fee or its implementation.

The proposed rule reflects the agency’s continued push toward full REAL ID usage while still offering an option for travelers who do not have their compliant identification with them.