The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will now charge travelers a $18 fee if they arrive at airport checkpoints without an acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or REAL ID.
The new enforcement accompanies the launch of TSA’s “modernized alternative identity verification program,” designed for passengers who lack these approved IDs.
“This modernized program provides an alternative that may allow these individuals to gain access to the sterile area of an airport if TSA is able to establish their identity,” the agency said in its published notice.
According to TSA, the $18 fee covers “government-incurred costs” and is valid for up to ten days. Participation in the program is voluntary.
However, it remains unclear whether passengers will still be permitted to travel without any identification. TSA notes that the program “does not guarantee that an individual’s identity will be verified or that the individual will be provided access to the sterile area of the airport.”
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin charging passengers a $18 fee if they arrive at airport checkpoints without identification.
A TSA spokesperson told Fox News Digital that additional guidance will be released in the coming days.
“This notice represents the next step in advancing REAL ID compliance, which became law more than two decades ago and was finally implemented by Secretary Kristi Noem in May 2025,” the spokesperson said.
Passengers must present a passport or REAL ID at designated checkpoints to avoid the $18 fee.
A TSA spokesperson added, “TSA is working with stakeholders and partners to ensure both security and efficiency at our checkpoints.”
The policy comes as nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday period, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1, according to AAA. Of those travelers, roughly six million are projected to fly domestically, a 2% increase from last year.
AAA reports that the average roundtrip domestic flight costs about $700, little changed from last year. Flying on Thanksgiving Day is expected to be the cheapest option, while the Sunday and Monday following the holiday are predicted to be the busiest.
