The United States will begin charging a $45 fee starting next February for travelers without a Real ID or passport, announced the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Monday. This fee is part of the U.S. government's goal to ensure that air passengers have federally verified identification. The TSA states that the charge will cover the administrative costs and passenger identity verification, ensuring that the expense is borne by travelers and not taxpayers. Initially, the agency had proposed an $18 fee. The Real ID Act, which went into effect last May, was passed in 2005 to strengthen airport security following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but its implementation had been postponed on several occasions. Until then, air travelers could travel domestically with forms of identification, typically state-issued driver's licenses, which has led to government warnings causing concern and a last-minute rush to obtain this credential. To obtain a Real ID (marked with a star), one must visit a motor vehicle regulatory office and provide their name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of residency, and verification of legal status in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website. Regarding undocumented immigrants who choose to leave the country following the Trump administration's recommendations for 'self-deportation,' the TSA said they will not be denied boarding on international flights for this requirement.
