TSA to Impose $45 Verification Fee for South Carolina Travelers Without REAL ID

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Wednesday that South Carolina travelers will soon face a new financial requirement for air travel. Starting February 1, 2026, any passenger attempting to fly from a South Carolina airport without a REAL ID-compliant license or an acceptable alternative will be required to pay a $45 fee to have their identity verified.

The fee is designed to offset the costs of TSA ConfirmID, a modernized alternative identity verification system used for passengers who do not meet federal identification standards at security checkpoints.

The Verification Process and Validity

Under the new policy, travelers who do not present a REAL ID after January 31 must undergo the ConfirmID process before reaching the security line. Once a traveler pays the fee and successfully verifies their identity, the clearance remains valid for 10 days. If a return flight is scheduled within that 10-day window, the initial payment covers both the departure and the return trip.

Passengers requiring this service are instructed to pay the fee online or through designated channels ahead of their flight. They must then bring the payment receipt along with any other available forms of identification to present to the TSA officer at the airport.

Deadlines and DMV Processing

While there is still time for residents to obtain a REAL ID from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) to avoid the $45 charge, local officials are warning of potential delays. Since same-day license printing was discontinued last fall, the current wait time for a license to arrive by mail is between seven and 14 days.

Alternative Forms of Acceptable Identification

The $45 verification fee applies only to those who lack a REAL ID or one of the other federally approved forms of identification. If a traveler possesses one of the following, they may continue to clear security without additional cost:

• U.S. Passport or Passport Card

• DHS Trusted Traveler Card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

• U.S. Department of Defense ID

• Permanent Resident Card

• Foreign Government-issued Passport

• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Note: A temporary paper driver’s license is not considered an acceptable form of identification for airline travel and will not exempt a passenger from the verification fee.

Summary of New Requirements

Detailed information regarding the REAL ID transition and the link to pay the new verification fee can be found on the official TSA and SCDMV websites.