TSA’s new fee is more than double what was originally proposed, and paying doesn’t guarantee you’ll make your flight

Monroe County, PA — Poconos residents planning to fly this winter have a decision to make: spend $70 once to upgrade to a Real ID, or risk paying $45 every time they show up at airport security without one.

The Transportation Security Administration announced Monday that starting February 1, 2026, travelers who arrive at security checkpoints without a Real ID, passport, or other federally approved identification will be charged $45 to undergo an alternative identity verification process. The fee covers 10 days of travel — after that, you pay again.

The catch? Even after paying, there’s no guarantee you’ll be cleared to fly.

“If we cannot confirm your identity, you will not be able to get to the security checkpoint,” a senior TSA official said during Monday’s announcement. The verification process can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, and travelers who can’t be verified will be turned away at the gate.

Pennsylvania’s Real ID Problem

Nationally, about 94 percent of air travelers already carry compliant identification. Pennsylvania tells a different story.

As of May, only 28 percent of Pennsylvania residents had upgraded to Real ID — one of the lowest adoption rates in the country. That means nearly three-quarters of the state’s drivers are still carrying standard licenses that won’t get them past TSA without the new fee.

For Monroe County residents who fly out of Lehigh Valley International, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Newark, or Philadelphia, the math is straightforward. A Real ID costs $30 plus the standard $39.50 license renewal fee — $69.50 total, and you’re set until your next renewal. The TSA fee is $45 for just 10 days of travel.

Take two trips in a month without Real ID and you’ve already spent more than the upgrade would have cost. Take a family of four to the airport without compliant IDs and you’re looking at $180 before you even reach the security line.

Travel expert Julian Kheel called the policy “bizarre” in an interview with CBS News, noting that it creates “a situation where your identity expires like a carton of milk.”

How the Fee Works

Travelers without acceptable ID will be directed to a system called TSA Confirm.ID. The process asks passengers to answer questions about themselves to verify their identity using biometric and biographic data.

TSA is urging travelers to pay the fee online before arriving at the airport through Pay.gov. Those who show up without having prepaid will be pulled from the security line to complete the registration process — a delay that could easily cause a missed flight during busy travel periods.

The fee was originally proposed at $18 in November. TSA more than doubled it after determining the verification technology would cost more than anticipated.

“The fee was necessary because we needed to modernize the system,” said Steve Lorincz, TSA’s deputy executive assistant administrator for security operations. “We needed to make sure that the system is safe.”

The February 1 start date falls just before Presidents’ Day weekend, one of the busier travel periods of the winter season.

Where to Get Real ID in Monroe County

The Snydersville PennDOT Driver License Center at 4218 Manor Drive in Stroudsburg processes Real ID applications. The center is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday — closed Monday and Thursday.

Snydersville is not a same-day Real ID location. Your documents will be verified in person, and your card will be mailed within 15 business days. For same-day service, the nearest Real ID centers are in the Lehigh Valley.

Residents who received their first Pennsylvania license after September 2003 may already have documents on file with PennDOT. Check eligibility at pa.gov/services/dmv/apply-for-real-id — if you qualify, you can order your Real ID online without an in-person visit.

What you’ll need to bring:

• Proof of identity: Original birth certificate with raised seal, or valid U.S. passport
• Social Security card showing your full nine-digit number
• Two proofs of current Pennsylvania address: Utility bill, vehicle registration, W-2, or bank statement
• Proof of legal name changes, if applicable: Certified marriage certificate or court order

What Still Works Without Real ID

A standard Pennsylvania license remains valid for driving, voting, accessing hospitals, visiting the post office, and receiving federal benefits like Social Security or veterans’ services.

But for domestic flights and entry to federal buildings or military bases that require ID, Real ID — or an alternative like a passport, military ID, or permanent resident card — is now mandatory.

The TSA emphasized that the $45 fee is meant to encourage compliance, not serve as a permanent workaround. Officials said travelers who repeatedly show up without proper ID may eventually face limits on how often they can use the verification system.

For Poconos residents who fly even occasionally, the message is clear: the one-time upgrade costs less than a single round trip under the new rules.

Quick Reference

Snydersville PennDOT Driver License Center 4218 Manor Drive, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Hours: Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat — 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM Closed: Monday, Thursday, Sunday

Real ID Cost: $30 fee + $39.50 renewal = $69.50 total

TSA Fee Without Real ID: $45 per 10-day travel period (starting Feb. 1, 2026)

Check if you can apply online: pa.gov/services/dmv/apply-for-real-id