The New $45 TSA Rule Takes Effect In 2 Weeks: What New Yorkers Need To Know Before Flying

If you’re planning to fly out of JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark next month, a missing star on your driver’s license is about to get a lot more expensive. Starting February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will officially begin charging a $45 fee to travelers who arrive at security checkpoints without a REAL ID, passport, or other acceptable form of identification. This isn’t just a warning phase anymore –it’s a mandatory part of the new TSA ConfirmID program. Here’s everything you need to know to avoid the extra charge and potential delays at the gate. What is the New $45 TSA Fee? ---------------------------- For years, travelers who forgot their ID or had a non-compliant license were often allowed through security after a manual (and often lengthy) verification process. That flexibility ends on February 1. Under the new rule, any traveler 18 or older without a REAL ID-compliantdocument will be required to use [TSA ConfirmID.](https://www.tsa.gov/tsaconfirm-id) This is a modernized identity-verification system that uses biometric and biographic data to confirm you are who you say you are. * The Cost: $45 per person * The Validity: the payment covers you for a 10-day travel window. If your return flight is 11 days later, you may have to pay again if you still don’t have a compliant ID * The Method: payment is made via the official Pay.gov portal Pro Tip: TSA officials at NYC hubs like JFK and Newark recommend paying the fee online before you head to the airport to avoid standing in a secondary line at the terminal. How the “ConfirmID” Process Works --------------------------------- If you reach the checkpoint and your ID is rejected, you’ll be directed to a QR code or the [TSA website](https://www.tsa.gov/) to complete the following: * Online Verification: you’ll enter your legal name and travel dates * Payment: pay the $45 fee via credit card, debit, or digital wallet (PayPal/Venmo) * Checkpoint Receipt: you must show a digital or printed receipt to the TSA officer * Additional Screening: even after paying, you’ll likely undergo “enhanced screening,” which can take an additional 15 to 30 minutes This process, however, doesn’t guarantee TSA’s ability to verify your identity. So, even if you paid the fee, you could still be denied boarding. Wait, Do I Already Have a REAL ID? ---------------------------------- New Yorkers can check their current ID for a gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner. * The Star: you have a REAL ID and are good to go * The Flag: if you have an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)–common in NY–it will have a U.S. flag icon, which is also acceptable! * “Not for Federal Purposes”: if your ID has this text, you’ll be charged the $45 fee starting February 1 unless you bring a passport Acceptable IDs to Avoid the Fee ------------------------------- If you don’t have a REAL ID yet, you can avoid the $45 charge by presenting one of these at the checkpoint: * U.S. Passport or Passport Card * DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI) * U.S. Military ID * Permanent Resident Card * Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) How to Upgrade in NYC Before February ------------------------------------- If you want to avoid the fee entirely, you still have a small window to visit the DMV. In New York, you cannot upgrade to a REAL ID or EDL online; you must go in person. You’ll need to bring: * Proof of identity (Birth certificate or Passport) * Proof of Social Security (Social Security card or W-2) * Two proofs of NY residency (Utility bill, bank statement, etc.) Source: https://secretnyc.co/new-45-dollar-tsa-rule-february-2026/