TSA ConfirmID is a modernized identity verification service for travelers who cannot present an acceptable form of ID at the security checkpoint. For a $45 fee, TSA will attempt to verify your identity so you can proceed through screening.

An important caveat: paying the fee does not guarantee that TSA will be able to confirm who you are. If they cannot verify your identity, you may not be permitted through security. ConfirmID is a last resort, not a replacement for carrying proper identification.

TSA recommends paying ahead of time to avoid delays at the airport. Here’s the step-by-step process:

• •Pay the $45 fee on Pay.gov — Visit Pay.gov from your computer or phone. You’ll need to enter the traveler’s legal name and travel start date. Payment is accepted via bank account (ACH), debit card, credit card, Venmo, or PayPal.
• •Save your receipt — After payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Screenshot it or print it—you must present proof of payment at the checkpoint.
• •Show your receipt at TSA — Present the confirmation to a TSA officer, who will begin the identity verification process. Be prepared to provide your legal name, date of birth, and address.

The verification process takes 10–15 minutes on average, though it could take 30 minutes or more depending on circumstances.

• •10-day validity — Each payment covers TSA ConfirmID for 10 days from the travel date on your receipt, so it works for round trips and multi-leg itineraries within that window.
• •No cash accepted — Payment is only through Pay.gov. TSA officers cannot accept cash at the checkpoint.
• •One fee per adult — Each traveler 18 or older without acceptable ID must complete and pay for ConfirmID separately. Someone else can make the payment on your behalf, but the traveler’s name must be on the receipt.
• •Children under 18 are exempt — Minors do not need identification for domestic flights. Check with your airline if a child is flying unaccompanied.
• •It’s voluntary — TSA ConfirmID is optional. However, if you decline it and don’t have an acceptable ID, you may not be allowed through security.

Before relying on TSA ConfirmID, check whether you already have an acceptable form of identification. TSA accepts the following:

• •U.S. Passport or Passport Card
• •REAL ID-compliant Driver’s License or ID Card
• •U.S. Department of Defense ID
• •DHS Trusted Traveler Card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI)
• •Photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation
• •REAL ID-compliant mobile driver’s licenses and digital passports (Apple, Google, CLEAR)

If you have any of these, you do not need TSA ConfirmID and will not be charged.

TSA ConfirmID is a helpful safety net, but it’s not something you want to rely on every time you fly. The verification process adds time and uncertainty to an already busy travel day, and there’s no guarantee it will work.

If you haven’t updated your driver’s license to a REAL ID yet, now is the time. Visit your state DMV’s website to check requirements and schedule an appointment. If you already have a valid U.S. passport, that works too—just remember to pack it.

And if the unexpected does happen and you find yourself at the airport without proper ID, at least you know the option exists. Pre-pay the fee on Pay.gov before you arrive, save your receipt, and give yourself extra time at the checkpoint.

• •TSA – TSA ConfirmID
• •TSA – About TSA ConfirmID
• •TSA – TSA ConfirmID FAQs
• •TSA – Acceptable Forms of Identification