According to a news release, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is rolling out an option for travelers who do not have a REAL ID and still want to travel by air. Starting Feb. 1, air travelers will have the option to pay a $45 fee and use the new ConfirmID system if they do not have a REAL ID or other acceptable identification.

Starting Sunday, Feb. 1, travelers without a Real ID or passport will pay $45 to fly every time they travel.

TSA has officially introduced "ConfirmID," a new alternative identity verification system that will go into effect beginning on Feb. 1, 2026.

Airline passengers flying out of Hawai‘i airports who do not have a REAL ID by Feb. 1 will soon have an option already available on the mainland. Travelers can pay a $45 fee to go through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint using TSA ConfirmID,

According to TSA, Confirm ID will give passengers who have misplaced or do not have a Real ID or other acceptable forms of ID an alternative form of identity verification for travel.

People who don't have these documents and refuse to pay the fee may be barred from entering the security checkpoint.

You can pay the fee using your phone after arriving at the airport, but you'll have to leave the security queue to do so. "The payment process is not onerous, but take care of it before you get here because you're standing in line,