A new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) notice states that airline passengers without a passport or REAL ID will be required to pay a fee of $18. The notice came into effect on Thursday, November 20th.

REAL ID

TSA is using an alternative identity verification program for those who don’t have a passport or a REAL ID. This is to make it so individuals without these items can still gain access to the airport and their flights.

According to the Federal Register, “To address the government-incurred costs, individuals who choose to use TSA’s modernized alternative identity verification program will be required to pay an $18 fee.” This fee will cover the individual for 10 days after verification is complete. So if you are traveling within 10 days, you don’t have to pay again.

A TSA spokesperson gave WDWNT the following statement:

This notice serves as a next step in the process in REAL ID compliance, which was signed into law more than 20 years ago and finally implemented by Secretary Noem as of May 2025. TSA is working with stakeholders and partners to ensure both security and efficiency at our checkpoints. Additional guidance will be announced in the coming days.

What do you think of a TSA-imposed fee? Let us know in the comments and on social media.

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