Therapy dog helps ease the stress of travel at DTW airport
Kevin, a 9-year-old Toy Fox Terrier, and his owner John, volunteer through Fur Angels Pet Therapy Group and bring a smile to travelers at the airport
- The U.S. TSA is launching an option for passengers without a “Real ID” to purchase a “ConfirmID” for $45 starting on Feb. 1.
- Travelers without a Real ID or other federally compliant document will need to purchase a ConfirmID ahead of security screening for their flights.
- ConfirmIDs can be bought on pay.gov. There is not a way to buy a ConfirmID with cash.
- Travelers using a ConfirmID still need a photo identification to fly.
- Passengers traveling with ConfirmID could experience delays of 10-15 minutes for the additional screening process. In some cases, additional screening may require 30 minutes or more, according to TSA.
Michiganders without a federally compliant “Real ID” can soon fly with a U.S. Transportation Security Administration “ConfirmID” for a $45 fee.
In May 2025, the state and the whole U.S. switched to requiring a Real ID for air travel. The new federal ConfirmID will be a way for flyers without a Real ID to be verified by TSA. People will be able to purchase a ConfirmID starting on Feb. 1. A ConfirmID is valid for 10 days.
“TSA ConfirmID provides an alternative identity verification process,” Reggie Stephens, TSA’s federal security director for Michigan, said. “What that does is it uses technology to enhance security, so we want to ensure you are who you claim to be.”
More than 97% of Michigan passengers have a Real ID or other acceptable identification, according to a news release from TSA. About 94% of passengers nationwide have one.
Starting May 7, passengers without a Real ID could be turned away at the security checkpoint or could be asked to complete an identification verification and be subject to additional screening, according to previous Free Press reporting.
Starting Feb. 1, passengers will be required to present a Real ID or ConfirmID to make it through security checkpoints.
What is a Real ID?
Real ID compliance is part of a larger act passed by Congress in 2005 to set “minimum security standards” for the distribution of identification materials, including driver’s licenses. The federal standards creates protocol for the production of driver’s licenses and ID cards, including the use of features to prevent illegal copying or altering. TSA began enforcing Real ID in May 2025.
Real ID compliant documents include drivers’ licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, U.S. passports or passport cards, foreign government-issued passports, permanent resident cards, state-issued Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced IDs and more.
The full list of Real ID compliant documents can be viewed at www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.
Stephens encourages Michiganders without a Real ID to visit a Michigan Secretary of State’s Office branch to obtain one. Information about how to obtain a Real ID is available here.
Michiganders with a Real ID do not need a ConfirmID.
How to get a ConfirmID
Travelers without a Real ID must purchase a ConfirmID on pay.gov ahead of going through security at the airport starting Feb. 1.
The identification must be purchased electronically with a debit or credit card, bank account, PayPal account or Venmo account. There is not a way to purchase a ConfirmID with cash.
ConfirmID is a federal TSA process and the options for payment are standardized across the U.S., Stephens said.
If a passenger, family or group needs assistance with going through the screening process, they can contact TSA Cares, Stephens said. Passengers in specific, out-of-the-ordinary situations can also work with their airline for assistance.
Do I need to purchase a ConfirmID ahead of my flight?
Yes. Travelers need to buy a ConfirmID on the pay.gov website before getting to the security checkpoint or they will be removed from the line once they reach the checkpoint and have to go through the line again after they purchase the ConfirmID, Stephens said.
You cannot purchase a ConfirmID with cash at the airport. You must purchase the ConfirmID online with a credit or debit card, bank account, or Venmo or PayPal account.
Passengers traveling with ConfirmIDs should expect the screening process to take an additional 10-15 minutes, though it may require 30 minutes or more in some cases, according to a news release from TSA. Travelers using ConfirmID should plan for longer wait times than travelers with REAL ID or other federally accepted travel documents.
What do I do once I have a ConfirmID?
After a traveler purchases a ConfirmID, the traveler should take a screenshot or print a copy of the receipt with the confirmation number to present to TSA at the security checkpoint.
Travelers will present the receipt along with additional photo identification, Stephens said.
How long do ConfirmIDs last?
A ConfirmID is good for 10 days. If passengers are flying multiple times within 10 days, they can use their ConfirmIDs on multiple flights. For trips longer than 10 days, travelers will need to purchase another ConfirmID to fly after the 10th day.
Contact Natalie Davies at [email protected].
