NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new federal identity-verification system is now reshaping the airport security experience for travelers in Tennessee, including those flying through Nashville International Airport, as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) enforces stricter identification rules nationwide.
The program, known as ConfirmID, allows certain passengers who arrive at airport checkpoints without a REAL ID-compliant license, passport, or other accepted identification to attempt identity verification for a $45 fee beginning Feb. 1, 2026. The process can permit travelers to continue through security after additional screening, but it does not guarantee access to secure airport areas or boarding if identity cannot be confirmed.
The fee covers a 10-day travel window and is intended to shift the administrative cost of processing non-compliant travelers away from taxpayers while reinforcing REAL ID enforcement that began in May 2025.
What the change means at Nashville International Airport
At Nashville International Airport (BNA), officials say travelers who have lost their identification—or who arrive without a REAL ID or other acceptable document—can use the TSA ConfirmID system to verify identity before boarding.
However, federal rules now require adults flying domestically to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another approved form of identification at TSA checkpoints, meaning standard non-compliant driver’s licenses are no longer sufficient on their own.
Passengers lacking compliant identification may still be allowed to fly after extended questioning and screening, a process that can involve identity-verification checks and additional security procedures that vary by airport.
Federal officials continue urging travelers in Tennessee and nationwide to carry a REAL ID-compliant license, passport, or other approved identification to avoid fees, delays, or the risk of being turned away at security.
ConfirmID is intended only as a backup option for travelers who arrive unprepared, not a replacement for obtaining compliant identification ahead of time.
