State leaders are urging Massachusetts residents to apply for a Real ID as soon as possible in order to avoid government-issued fees and longer wait times at the airport beginning this weekend.
Starting Feb. 1, domestic travelers 18 and older who don’t have Real ID compliant driver’s licenses, ID cards or other federally accepted forms of identification, such as passports, will be charged a $45 “Confirm ID” fee before heading through airport security. According to the Transportation and Security Administration, the penalty is intended to cover costs associated with additional identification screening measures.
TSA warned on its website that while agents will do their best to verify the identities of travelers whose documents do not meet federal standards, there is “no guarantee TSA can do so.” People without a Real ID or passport can submit an online form and payment to TSA before travelling in order to avoid longer wait times.
TSA began rolling out the new identification requirements on May 27, 2025, following years of delays. The Real ID Act, which aimed to standardize and increase security standards for domestic air travel and entrance to certain federal facilities, was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Over the past seven months, travelers without Real ID compliant identification have still been able to travel without fees but have faced additional scrutiny at airports.
On Wednesday, acting transportation secretary for Massachusetts Phil Eng warned Massachusetts residents about the change coming this Sunday.
“We want our drivers to know that the RMV is going to do as much as they can to get everyone here in Massachusetts enrolled in a real ID and avoid that $45 fee,” he said during a meeting of MassDOT’s Board of Directors.
As of Wednesday morning, Massachusetts was 65% REAL ID compliant, with more than 3.7 million active REAL IDs in residents’ wallets, according to MassDOT data shared with GBH News.
Residents who would like to apply for a REAL ID must make an in-person appointment at the RMV (or a AAA branch if they’re a member). Applicants are required to present identity documents proving they’re in the US legally, a full 9-digit social security number and Massachusetts residency.
More information is available at Mass.gov/REALID
