On Thursday, the TSA published a new ruleproposal in the Federal Register that would give travelers the ability to pay a fee to get through security checkpoints if they don’t have an acceptable form of ID.
Travelers who don’t have approved ID would have to prove their identity through a biometric kiosk system. Travelers would voluntarily provide biographical information and submit to a biometric scan as part of the program.
“If an individual chooses to use the program and submit the required information, TSA will use the individual’s biographic and/or biometric information to verify identity and match the individual to their Secure Flight watch list result,” reads a portion of the proposal posted by TSA.
If TSA is able to verify the traveler’s identity through the program, the traveler would then be allowed through the security checkpoint. The approval would be valid for 10 days without requiring another payment.
TSA says the non-refundable $18 fee is optional and does not guarantee the traveler will get through security. If travelers choose to go through the new system, they are subject to additional screenings or may experience delays. TSA would reserve the right to limit how often a traveler can use the program.
The $18 fee would be used to replace funds used to implement the new system.
The new system would replace the current alternative identity verification process, says the TSA. The agency went on to say the current program is “time and resource intensive” which limits how many people TSA can process through the program.
“This modernized, technology-enabled program will provide additional methods of alternative identity verification beyond what TSA currently provides and reduce the time required to verify identities using the existing methods,” reads the proposal.
The current alternative identity verification process also involves providing personal information such as your name and address to TSA. Just like the proposed new system, the current process does not guarantee a traveler will be allowed through security without acceptable ID.
It is unknown when the proposed rule and fee will go into effect. Now that the proposal is in the Federal Register, a public comment period is open.
The proposal comes just six months after TSA began requiring all travelers to use an acceptable form of identification to get through the security checkpoint. Travelers were encouraged to get a REAL ID and warned for months that the new requirements would be strictly enforced.
“As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports,” reads a section of the TSA website. “Passengers should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.
“Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant at TSA checkpoints and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their non-compliance, may be directed to a separate area and may receive additional screening. This includes TSA PreCheck passengers.”
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