NEED TO KNOW

The TSA will require passengers without a Real ID to pay a $45 fee in order to travel at U.S. airports, starting in February 2026

The new fee is a marked increase from the previously anticipated fee of $18

“The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are," the TSA stated in a press release

The TSA has announced a hefty fee for travelers who don't have a Real ID.

Starting on Feb. 1, 2026, passengers departing from U.S. airports without a Real ID (or Real ID-compliant form of identification) will be required to pay a $45 fee, per a press release from the Transportation Security Administration on Monday, Dec. 1. The TSA was previously considering a markedly lower $1

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