Mississippi residents will soon be able to travel without REAL ID — but it’ll cost, TSA says
A new airport rule will require Mississippians traveling without REAL ID or other necessary identification to pay a $45 fee to board a plane, federal officials said.
The fee, which takes effect Sunday, Feb. 1, will be used for a modernized alternative identity verification system called TSA ConfirmID, the Transportation Security Administration said in a December news release.
“All travelers without an acceptable ID, including those who present a non-REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or ID, will be referred to the optional TSA ConfirmID process for identity verification upon TSA check-in and prior to entering the security line,” TSA officials said in the release.
More than 94% of travelers use a REAL ID or other acceptable identification as of Dec. 1, according to TSA data.
Here’s what to know if you don’t have a REAL ID in Mississippi.
How does TSA ConfirmID work?
TSA ConfirmID is available at a cost of $45 for travelers without acceptable identification. If you don’t want to use ConfirmID, there’s a chance you won’t be allowed through security, according to TSA officials.
Once at the airport, the TSA ConfirmID process takes an average of 10 to 15 minutes, but could take more than 30 minutes, officials said.
You can pre-pay for ConfirmID, which is valid for 10 days from the date you enter, on the TSA website.
A full list of acceptable identification for traveling can be found on the TSA website.
What is REAL ID?
REAL ID is a form of federal identification featuring a star in the upper right or left corner.
The REAL ID Act passed in 2005 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but enforcement has been pushed back several times until May 2025, according to the TSA website.
The REAL ID is a form of federal identification with strict standards that were established in 2005. It can be issued as a driver’s license, a driver’s permit or an identification card. The ID has a star in the upper right corner.
How to get a REAL ID in Mississippi
To get a REAL ID in Mississippi, residents need to schedule an appointment at any driver’s license station and bring the following documents:
- A social security card or any official document with your social security number on it
- A certified copy of your birth certificate
- Two proofs of your Mississippi residency
