TSA to Charge $45 Fee for Travelers Flying Without REAL ID Starting February 1

Passengers Who Don’t Have Approved Forms of ID Must Verify Identity Through New System

U.S. travelers who have not yet upgraded to a REAL ID will soon face an extra cost at airport security. Beginning Feb. 1, passengers without a REAL ID, passport, or other approved identification will be required to pay a $45 verification fee to fly, the Transportation Security Administration announced Monday.

The agency said travelers lacking compliant identification will be directed to a fee-based system known as TSA Confirm.ID , which verifies a passenger’s identity before they can enter the security checkpoint. The process will serve as an alternative for those who do not present one of the documents required under federal REAL ID standards.

REAL IDs, marked by a black or gold star on the uppe