REAL ID for flying in the US, what TSA accepts, and the $45 if you have none
For a US domestic flight, a REAL ID or passport is accepted. With neither, TSA charges $45 to verify identity. The rules and the children exception.
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For a domestic US flight, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s licence or ID card is acceptable, and so is a passport, and if you have neither, TSA charges $45 to verify your identity. The rule has been enforced since 7 May 2025. The $45 fee has applied since 1 February 2026, and TSA says it will try to verify your identity so screening can begin. Everything here comes from TSA’s own pages, read 3 October 2026.
- A passport works for domestic flights, even without a REAL ID.
- The $45 fee is for showing no accepted ID. It is not a charge for a REAL ID.
- Check the ID you carry before you reach the checkpoint, because the 5 option is available at the checkpoint only if you have no accepted ID.
- Children under 18 need no ID for domestic travel, but unaccompanied minors who are eligible for PreCheck must show one.
Which IDs does TSA accept?
A REAL ID-compliant driver’s licence or identity card, a US passport, or another accepted ID. TSA’s list also includes US Department of Defense ID cards (including those for dependants), DHS trusted traveller cards such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST, and foreign passports. A passport is the simplest backup, because TSA says it may be used in lieu of a REAL ID to board domestic flights.
What happens if I have no acceptable ID?
From 1 February 2026, you can pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID, which lets TSA try to verify your identity so screening can begin. TSA describes the option as available only if you cannot provide an accepted ID at the checkpoint. TSA lists a Pay Now option on its portal.
Do children need ID to fly within the US?
TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID for domestic travel. The exception is an unaccompanied minor who is eligible for TSA PreCheck, who must show an acceptable ID to get expedited screening.
Does a REAL ID matter for other flights?
It matters for domestic flights and visits to federal facilities. TSA’s page covers domestic air travel and federal buildings, so a REAL ID is not what gets you on an international flight. For that, see our guide to visas, passports and entry.
TSA pages change. Check tsa.gov on the week you travel for the current list and fee, and for any airport that differs.
Frequently asked questions
Is a passport enough to fly domestically in the US?
Yes. TSA says a passport is an acceptable form of ID and may be used in place of a REAL ID to board domestic flights.
How much does it cost if I have no acceptable ID?
$45 for TSA ConfirmID, available from 1 February 2026, according to TSA.
When did REAL ID enforcement begin?
7 May 2025, for domestic air travel and entry to federal facilities.
Do I need ID for a child on a domestic flight?
Not for children under 18, except an unaccompanied minor eligible for PreCheck, who must show an accepted ID.
Keep reading
Passport validity and entry rules by destination.
Which trusted-traveller programme is worth it.
TSA's own daily count, and which days to avoid.
What you are owed when a flight goes wrong.
Sources: TSA, REAL ID and acceptable identification pages (tsa.gov), read 3 October 2026: acceptable IDs, passport use for domestic flights, ConfirmID fee from 1 February 2026, enforcement from 7 May 2025, and the minor rule. This is general information; check tsa.gov before you travel.
Photos via Pexels: Matthew Turner (cover), Kenneth Surillo, Zheng Xia, Brian James.
Written by
Anjali ShresthaPokhara-based, NMA-certified trekking guides. We’ve led 5,000+ treks across the Annapurna and Everest regions since 1998 — every word here comes from the trail. More from this author →
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