Transportation Security Administration officials will begin charging a $45 fee on Sunday, Feb. 1, for travelers who arrive at security checkpoints without a REAL ID or other approved identification.

The fee allows passengers at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport to use a new system called Confirm.ID. This service verifies a person's identity for 10 days. Travelers can pay the fee online at Pay.gov using a credit card, debit card, or digital payment services like PayPal and Venmo.

What travelers need to know

Passengers must show proof of payment to security staff before entering the screening area. TSA recommends paying before arriving at the airport to avoid long wait times.

Valid forms of identification that do not require the fee include:

  • REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses
  • U.S. passports
  • Military IDs
  • Trusted traveler cards, such as Global Entry or NEXUS

People who don't have these documents and refuse to pay the fee may be barred from entering the security checkpoint. Agency officials noted the fee ensures that passengers using the advanced verification system fund its costs rather than taxpayers.

New technology in Pittsburgh

In addition to the new fee, Pittsburgh International Airport will introduce Touchless ID technology for TSA PreCheck members this spring. The system uses facial recognition to verify identity, allowing travelers to move through security without showing a physical license or passport.

To use the touchless service, passengers must have a valid passport and an active profile with a participating airline. Travelers must still carry their physical identification with them while using the biometric lanes.