TSA set to charge $45 fee to verify identification of passengers traveling without REAL ID

The Transportation Security Administration will begin charging a $45 fee in February to verify the identification of travelers who don't have a REAL ID, passport or some other acceptable ID enabling them to pass through airport security, the TSA announced Monday.

The TSA said they will begin charging the fee Feb. 1, and it will be valid for flights within a 10-day period. Any air travelers who present an older state driver’s license or an invalid ID will be referred to the new program called TSA Confirm.ID to verify a person’s identity before they are able to get in line for airport security.

The TSA initially was considering an $18 fee starting Nov. 20 for passengers traveling without a REAL ID or passport. The TSA said the fee would be imposed, "to address the government-incurred costs, individuals who choose to use TSA's modernized alternative identity verification program."

The verification process could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes or more, the TSA website said.

Asked about the cost of the program, a TSA spokesman said in an e-mailed statement: "As part of TSA’s evaluation, we made sure that the management costs did not impact the population that presents acceptable IDs. TSA’s recalculation and due diligence included cost of advanced technology like the Computed Tomography (CT) screening equipment for the required additional screening of individuals who do not provide an Acceptable Form of ID, which was omitted in the last fee notice."

Federal officials said passengers will be able to pay the fee online before traveling.

Officials said 94% of passengers have upgraded to REAL ID or use passports, and passengers without proper ID could face longer waits to be screened by security.

"The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights," the TSA said.

The REAL ID program, which has been planned for more than 20 years, went into effect in May after the deadline was pushed back several times. The TSA has continued to allow travelers to pass through airport security with additional screening. Children under 18 do not require ID, according to the TSA.

The TSA also accepts official ID from the Department of Defense, permanent resident and border crossing cards, photos issued by Native American tribal nations, foreign passports and Veteran Health Identification cards. 

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.