Flying this winter? The ID rules for REAL ID, TSA's $45 ConfirmID fee and passport timing

If you plan to fly during the holidays, check your ID now. Since May 7, 2025, travelers 18 and older have needed a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to get through airport security for domestic flights, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Travelers who show up without one can still try to fly, but since Feb. 1, 2026, that has meant paying a $45 fee for an identity check that may not succeed.

If your plans include international travel, you will also need a valid passport, and the State Department's processing times mean it is worth applying or renewing well ahead of your trip.

What counts as an acceptable ID

A REAL ID is a state-issued driver's license or ID card that meets federal security standards. TSA says compliant cards carry a REAL ID marking, a star, on the upper portion of the card. To get one, visit your state driver's licensing agency's website to find out which documents it requires.

You do not need a REAL ID if you have another acceptable ID. TSA's identification list includes, among others:

• A U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
• A state-issued Enhanced Driver's License or Enhanced ID card
• DHS trusted traveler cards: Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST
• A U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• A permanent resident card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation

TSA says the list is subject to change without notice. Other rules worth knowing:

• Expired IDs. TSA currently accepts the listed forms of ID up to two years after they expire.
• Children. TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID for travel within the United States, though airlines may have their own rules.
• Enhanced licenses. Most Enhanced Driver's Licenses do not have a star, and TSA says that is acceptable. According to TSA's REAL ID FAQ, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington issue them.
• International trips. A REAL ID cannot be used to cross the border into Canada or Mexico or for other international travel. You still need a passport.

If you arrive without an acceptable ID: TSA ConfirmID

TSA launched a modernized identity verification program, TSA ConfirmID, on Feb. 1, 2026. It is optional and costs $45. Here is how it works, according to TSA's ConfirmID FAQ:

• Pay ahead. The fee can be paid only through Pay.gov. TSA recommends paying before you arrive at the airport to avoid delays or missing your flight.
• Bring proof. You must show proof of payment at the checkpoint, such as the confirmation email, a screenshot or a printed receipt.
• Ten days of coverage. The fee lets you use ConfirmID for 10 days from the travel date listed on the receipt, which can cover a round trip.
• One per adult. Each traveler 18 or older without an acceptable ID must complete the process separately.
• No guarantee. TSA will attempt to verify your identity, but "there is no guarantee TSA can do so." If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed into the screening checkpoint.
• Extra time. TSA has said the process can take up to 30 minutes.

TSA's advice is to avoid all of this by getting a REAL ID or another acceptable ID before heading to the airport. In early February, the agency said 95% to 99% of travelers were presenting REAL IDs or other acceptable identification at checkpoints, based on early data.

How long a passport takes

The State Department's processing-time page lists routine service at 4 to 6 weeks and expedited service at 2 to 3 weeks. Expedited service costs an extra $60. Those estimates cover only the time an application spends at a passport agency or center. Mailing is extra: the department says it can take up to two weeks for an application to arrive and up to two more weeks to receive the new passport after it is mailed.

If you have urgent international travel within 14 calendar days, the State Department says you need an appointment at a passport agency and proof of travel. Processing times can change with demand, so check the State Department's processing-time page before you book nonrefundable trips.

Renewing your passport online

Many adults can renew online. The State Department's online renewal page says the only official place to do it is opr.travel.state.gov, and that you may be eligible if:

• The passport you are renewing was valid for 10 years and you are 25 or older
• It expires within a year or expired less than five years ago
• You are in a U.S. state or territory when you apply
• You are not changing personal information such as your name or sex
• You are not traveling for at least six weeks after you submit

Two cautions. Online renewals cannot be expedited. And once you submit, the State Department cancels the passport you are renewing, so you cannot use it for international travel while you wait. If you need your passport for travel within six weeks, online renewal is not an option. The department warns that other websites offering online renewal may be fraudulent.

A quick pre-trip checklist

1. Look at your license for the REAL ID marking. If it is not there, pack a passport, passport card or another accepted ID.
2. Check expiration dates on every ID and passport in your household.
3. If you have no acceptable ID, pay the ConfirmID fee on Pay.gov before you leave and allow extra time at the airport.
4. For international trips, confirm your passport is valid and apply early if it is not.