Travelers without REAL ID-compliant identification will face a $45 fee nearly every time they fly domestically starting February 1, nearly a year after the REAL ID requirement took effect on May 7, 2025.
Travelers without compliant identification will need to fill out an online form with their name, travel date, and pay the fee. Once paid, travelers can print or screenshot the receipt to show TSA agents at the airport. Alternative screening and identity verification will then begin, taking 15 to 30 minutes according to TSA officials.
The $45 fee and online form are valid for 10 days. If a trip is longer than 10 days or travelers have multiple trips scheduled throughout the year, they will need to pay the fee each time. In Washington state, a compliant REAL ID, known as an enhanced driver’s license, costs $153 for six years or $187 for eight years.
The math matters for frequent travelers. Someone flying twice a month without REAL ID would pay $1,080 annually in fees, far exceeding the one-time cost of obtaining compliant identification. The fee structure appears designed to push travelers toward compliance rather than to accommodate those without proper ID.
The 15 to 30 minute alternative screening process adds another layer of inconvenience beyond the fee itself. For travelers rushing to make flights, that additional time could mean missed connections or stressful airport experiences. TSA officials did not specify what the alternative screening entails or why it requires significantly more time than standard REAL ID verification.
