Roanoke travelers without REAL ID will have to pay a $45 fee starting February 1

Roanoke, Virginia - Airline passengers who do not have REAL ID compliant identification after Saturday, Jan. 31 at Virginia airports must pay a $45 fee for identity verification before they get to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint.

The fee covers the cost of a modernized alternative identity verification system, called TSA ConfirmID. The verification will cover a 10-day travel period, so travelers who plan their return flight within that 10-day period will the pay once for both flights.

"Travelers who prefer not to pay the $45 fee for the updated ID verification process still have the opportunity to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another approved form of identification," said ROA Federal Security Director Scott Johnson. "Confirming identity is essential for transportation security. Although most travelers present valid identification, it is our duty to verify that passengers are who they say they are. Protecting the safety of the traveling public remains our top priority."

Acceptable forms of ID include:

• REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
  • If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification.
• State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Virginia travelers without an acceptable ID are encouraged to visit the TSA ConfirmID program fee site and pay the $45 fee prior to travel on or after Sunday, Feb. 1. Take a printed copy or electronic copy of the receipt and show it to the Transportation Security Officer verifying identification at the airport checkpoint.

In Virginia, about 94% of passengers already use their REAL ID or another acceptable forms of identification. TSA expects that wait times will increase for passengers without a REAL ID Act compliant ID when ConfirmID goes into effect.

TSA's list of acceptable forms of ID can be found at TSA.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.

For more information on REAL ID, please visit TSA.gov/real-id or text 275-872 ("AskTSA") or @AskTSA with questions.