Travelers heading to the Santa Barbara Airport without a Real ID or passport, get ready to pay $45 to get through TSA. 

Beginning on Sunday, travelers nationwide can bypass the requirement to have a Real ID or passport to travel by filling out an online form and paying a fee to TSA through a process called ConfirmID.

ConfirmID is an online identity verification process specifically for people who do not have a RealID or other appropriate identification.  

While going through the online verification process is optional, not doing so without an acceptable identification form may bar someone from going through security at the airport.

“I do think it will probably encourage people who maybe have been dragging their feet to get their Real ID,” Jessica Mayle, regional TSA spokesperson said. “I can’t imagine there are many people who want to pay that fee more than they have to.”

This comes approximately seven months after the Read ID enforcement deadline of May 2025. 

The price was settled on after taking into consideration the cost of staff and technology needed to validate travelers who show up to the airport without an acceptable form of identification, according to Mayle. 

She recommends travelers fill out the form online before getting to the airport to avoid any delays and says it could take people anywhere between 10 to 30 minutes. 

If a traveler reaches the TSA gate without an acceptable form of identification or having completed the ConfirmID process, they will get moved to the back of the line, Mayle said. 

Once processed, the receipt is valid for 10 days from the first day of travel. 

The revenue from paying TSA will go right back into TSA to help with the costs associated with this process, Mayle said. 

To fill out the online form, click here.