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Starting February 1, passengers attempting to board domestic flights in the United States without a Real ID or another document approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be required to pay an additional fee of 45 dollars to pass through security screening.
The measure is part of a new alternative identity verification program called TSA Confirm.ID, announced by the agency in December and presented as a key step to enhance air security.
Those who do not have a Real ID, passport, or another valid form of identification can choose this system to verify their identity before entering the security lines.
According to the TSA, the payment of the 45 dollars must be made online through the site pay.gov, either before arriving at the airport or directly on the day of travel.
To complete the process, travelers must provide their full legal name, the start date of the trip, and a valid payment method, which may include a bank account, Venmo, PayPal, or debit or credit cards.
After the payment, you will receive a receipt via email that you must present at the checkpoint.
The final verification takes place at the airport, where the passenger must confirm details such as full name, address, and date of birth.
In later phases, the program plans to utilize biometric kiosks that will compare physical information—such as facial recognition—with TSA watchlists, although it is unclear whether these devices are already available at all airports.
"The goal is to ensure that all passengers are who they say they are," stated Adam Stahl, acting deputy administrator of the TSA, noting that the system aims to prevent dangerous individuals from using the national air transportation.
Currently, more than 94% of travelers have a Real ID or another valid form of identification. In California, for example, about 58% of license and identification card holders already possess a Real ID, according to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles.
The TSA reminded that all passengers over the age of 18 must present identification for domestic flights, while minors are not required to do so. Once the verification is approved through Confirm.ID, it will be valid for 10 days, allowing the traveler to use it multiple times within that period.
The new rate serves as an additional economic incentive for passengers to obtain their Real ID before traveling and avoid extra costs at the airport, the government assures.
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