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Wedding TransportationSprinter Van ServiceEvent TransportationRoadshow TransportationCity-to-CityPrivate AviationFamily Car ServiceTSA’s ConfirmID identity verification service now charges $6 per use as of February 1, 2026. Here is everything you need to know about the process, the fee, the time impact, and — most importantly — how to avoid needing it at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark.
ConfirmID is TSA’s fallback identity verification system for travelers who arrive at airport security without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or acceptable alternative. It uses digital identity verification (biometric matching and government database checks) to attempt to confirm who you are.
As of February 1, 2026, ConfirmID costs $6 per use, adds approximately 15–20 minutes to your TSA processing time, and is not guaranteed to work. If verification fails, you may be denied boarding.
The best strategy: avoid needing ConfirmID entirely by getting a REAL ID or carrying a valid passport when flying from JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark.
ConfirmID is TSA’s digital identity verification service that allows travelers without REAL ID-compliant identification to attempt to pass through security checkpoints.
When REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025, TSA needed a mechanism for travelers caught unprepared. ConfirmID was deployed as that fallback — a digital system that uses biometric data (facial recognition, fingerprint matching) and government database queries to verify a person’s identity without a compliant physical ID.
Initially, ConfirmID was free. However, on February 1, 2026, TSA implemented a $6 per-use fee to cover operational costs and incentivize travelers to obtain compliant identification. The fee applies every time a non-compliant ID is presented at a TSA checkpoint.
Cost
$6 per use
Since February 1, 2026
Time Added
15–20 min
Additional TSA processing time
Guarantee
Not guaranteed
Verification can fail
Available At
All US airports
JFK, LGA, EWR included
Step by step: what happens when you present a non-compliant ID at a TSA checkpoint.
You hand your driver’s license to the TSA officer at the document check podium. The officer identifies it as a standard (non-REAL ID) license — no gold star, or possibly marked “NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION.”
The TSA officer directs you to the ConfirmID station, typically located adjacent to the document check area. You are asked to stand in front of a camera for facial recognition and may be asked to provide fingerprints or answer identity verification questions.
The ConfirmID system cross-references your biometric data and personal information against government databases (DMV records, passport databases, other federal records). This automated process takes several minutes to complete.
The $6 ConfirmID fee is charged electronically. This fee applies regardless of whether the verification succeeds or fails. Payment is typically processed via the credit/debit card you provide at the station.
If Verified
You proceed through security screening normally. Expect the entire ConfirmID process to have added 15–20 minutes to your checkpoint time.
If Not Verified
You may be denied entry through the checkpoint. TSA officers may attempt additional verification, but you should prepare for the possibility of not boarding your flight.
The ConfirmID fee adds up, especially for frequent travelers. Here is the math.
| Travel Frequency | Annual ConfirmID Cost | REAL ID Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 4 flights/year (occasional) | $24/year | $0 (free with renewal) |
| 12 flights/year (monthly) | $72/year | $0 (free with renewal) |
| 24 flights/year (biweekly) | $144/year | $0 (free with renewal) |
| 50 flights/year (frequent biz) | $300/year | $0 (free with renewal) |
The time cost of ConfirmID depends on your airport, terminal, and travel time.
Regular TSA Line
15–45 min
Depends on airport & time
+ ConfirmID
+15–20 min
Added verification time
Total Possible
30–65 min
At checkpoint alone
JFK’s high passenger volume means regular checkpoint lines can exceed 30 minutes during morning (5–8 AM) and evening (6–10 PM) peaks. Adding ConfirmID pushes total checkpoint time to 45–50+ minutes. Terminal 4 (Delta) and Terminal 1 are particularly busy. JFK car service.
LaGuardia’s heavy morning business traffic (5–9 AM) means ConfirmID delays stack on top of already packed checkpoint lines. The new Terminal C has improved flow, but Terminal B (Delta) remains congested during peak hours. LaGuardia car service.
Newark Terminal C (United hub) experiences some of the longest TSA wait times in the region during peak hours. ConfirmID adds further delay to an already challenging airport. The new Terminal A has improved processing. Newark car service.
ConfirmID is a backup, not a substitute. Understanding when it works — and when it does not — is critical.
Do not plan around ConfirmID
ConfirmID should be considered an emergency fallback, not a travel strategy. Every time you fly without a compliant ID, you are accepting a $6 fee, a 15–20 minute delay, and the risk of not boarding. For NYC-area travelers, spending 30 minutes at the DMV is a far better investment than repeatedly gambling at the checkpoint.
Five ways to never need ConfirmID again, ranked from simplest to most comprehensive.
The simplest and cheapest option. A REAL ID is available at no extra cost in most states when renewing your driver’s license. Bring your birth certificate, Social Security card, and two proofs of residency.
If you already have a valid passport, you do not need a REAL ID. A passport card ($30–$65) is wallet-sized and works at all TSA checkpoints for domestic flights. Many travelers keep a passport card in their wallet as a permanent backup.
DHS Trusted Traveler cards are accepted at TSA checkpoints as standalone identification. If you have Global Entry ($100/5 years), your physical card works as a TSA-compliant ID. NEXUS ($50/5 years) and SENTRI ($122.50/5 years) cards are also accepted.
Available only to New York residents. The Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) costs $30 more than a standard license and is accepted at TSA checkpoints. Bonus: it also works as a border-crossing document for land/sea travel to Canada and Mexico.
Active duty service members, reservists, and dependents with a Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC) or Uniformed Services ID can use that card at TSA checkpoints.
If you know (or suspect) you may need ConfirmID, adjust your airport arrival time accordingly.
| Scenario | Standard Arrival | With ConfirmID Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flight (REAL ID) | 2 hours before departure | N/A — no ConfirmID needed |
| Domestic flight (no REAL ID) | 2 hours before departure | 2.5–3 hours before departure |
| Peak travel (holidays, Monday AM) | 2.5 hours before departure | 3–3.5 hours before departure |
| International flight (passport) | 3 hours before departure | N/A — passport is accepted |
When you book your airport car service with True North VIP, let us know if you need extra time for TSA. We can adjust your pickup time to ensure you arrive with a comfortable buffer.
Common questions about ConfirmID, the $6 fee, and alternatives.
ConfirmID is TSA's digital identity verification service used at airport security checkpoints when a traveler presents identification that is not REAL ID-compliant. The system uses biometric matching and database checks to attempt to verify the traveler's identity. It was introduced as a fallback mechanism after REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025.
As of February 1, 2026, ConfirmID charges a $6 fee per verification attempt. This fee applies each time you present a non-compliant ID at a TSA checkpoint. The fee is collected electronically at the checkpoint. For frequent travelers without a REAL ID, this adds up quickly — 10 flights per year means $60 in ConfirmID fees alone.
The ConfirmID verification process adds approximately 15-20 minutes to your TSA screening time. This includes the digital identity verification itself plus any additional screening that TSA may require. During peak travel periods at busy airports like JFK or Newark, the total delay can exceed 20 minutes when combined with regular checkpoint wait times.
Yes, ConfirmID verification can fail. The system relies on government databases and biometric matching — if your records are incomplete, recently changed, or if the system encounters technical issues, verification may not succeed. If ConfirmID fails to verify your identity, you may be denied entry through the TSA checkpoint and will not be able to board your flight.
ConfirmID is deployed at all TSA checkpoints at US commercial airports, including JFK (all terminals), LaGuardia (all terminals), and Newark Liberty (Terminals A, B, and C). The system is part of TSA's standard checkpoint technology deployed nationwide.
ConfirmID is designed for travelers who present a valid but non-REAL ID-compliant license. An expired license is a separate issue — TSA generally does not accept expired identification regardless of REAL ID compliance. If your license is both expired and non-compliant, ConfirmID is unlikely to help. Renew your license and upgrade to REAL ID simultaneously.
ConfirmID is primarily designed for travelers who present a non-compliant ID. If you arrive at a TSA checkpoint with no identification at all, the process may differ. TSA officers have some discretion, but arriving without any form of identification significantly increases the risk of being denied boarding. Always carry at least one form of government-issued ID.
The simplest ways to avoid ConfirmID: (1) Get a REAL ID from your state DMV — it's free or low-cost when renewing your license. (2) Carry a valid US passport or passport card. (3) Use your Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI card as your TSA identification. (4) If you're a New York resident, get an Enhanced Driver's License. Any of these will be accepted at TSA checkpoints without ConfirmID.
REAL ID 2026 Guide
State-by-state requirements
REAL ID vs Passport
Compare all TSA-accepted IDs
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Last updated: February 23, 2026
True North VIP is a New York City-based premium chauffeur and black car service. The company provides airport transfers to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Teterboro, and Westchester County airports, along with hourly charters, corporate ground transportation, wedding and event service, and city-to-city travel. Service covers all five NYC boroughs, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County, Long Island, and the Hamptons, with vetted professional chauffeurs and a fleet of executive sedans, luxury sedans, SUVs, and Sprinter vans available 24/7.
To book a ride, visit truenorthvip.com/book or call +1‑347‑321‑9929.
