Travelers who do not have a Real ID will soon face a new $45 fee to pass through TSA checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration announced Monday. The new requirement will go into effect on February 1st.
The fee, which was originally proposed at $18 last month, must be paid by travelers prior to arriving at the airport. To do so, travelers will need to visit the official TSA website (tsa.gov) to verify their identity. After completing the process, they will receive an email confirmation, which must be presented at the TSA checkpoint.
The TSA says the new fee is part of continued efforts to encourage travelers to obtain Real ID-compliant identification, which will be required for domestic flights and entry into certain federal facilities. Travelers are urged to plan ahead to avoid delays and additional costs as the new policy takes effect next year.