Passengers can pay a $45 fee to get verified and pass security at airports.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) successfully implemented TSA ConfirmID, which offers airline passengers without Real ID documentation an alternative method to get verified for flights, the agency said in a Feb. 5 statement.
The TSA notified the public last month that passengers without a Real ID or other acceptable form of identification could verify their identity using ConfirmID beginning Feb. 1.
“Based on early data reports, 95–99% of travelers are presenting REAL IDs or other acceptable forms of identification at airport security checkpoints,” the TSA said in its recent statement.
The rest of the passengers have the option to use TSA ConfirmID by paying a $45 fee for a 10-day travel period.
“The new system is designed to strengthen identity verification and further enhance aviation security by closing long-standing gaps in ID standards,” the TSA said.
Travelers can get a ConfirmID by visiting the ID webpage at Pay.gov and pre-paying $45 through a bank account, credit card, debit card, PayPal, or Venmo.
Once the payment is processed, the person receives a confirmation email. They can then show the printed or electronic copy of the ConfirmID receipt from the email to TSA checkpoint officers at airports to begin the identity verification process.
While the TSA will attempt to verify the person’s identity and allow them through security, “there is no guarantee TSA can do so,” the agency clarified.
The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted recommendations made by the 9/11 commission, with the federal government establishing minimum security standards for issuing identification documents such as driver’s licenses and identification cards. It prohibited federal agencies from accepting identification cards and driver’s licenses not compliant with Real ID regulations for certain official purposes.
This Act came into full enforcement in May last year. People without Real ID-compliant identification are prohibited from boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, accessing military installations or federal government facilities, or entering nuclear power plants.
The TSA said in its recent statement that ConfirmID provides noncompliant passengers with additional verification while ensuring that illegal immigrants, terrorists, and other bad actors do not “slip through the cracks” and end up boarding flights alongside legitimate passengers.
“TSA ConfirmID has been a huge success due to the ongoing collaboration with our airline, airport, and industry partners and effective public outreach and communications efforts,” said Steve Lorincz, TSA acting executive assistant administrator for security operations.
“We have seen negligible operational impact in the system because of the preparation of our team and work of our partners.”
