SEATTLE — The deadline is finally here.
After years of delays, REAL ID is now needed at all airports to travel within the United States of America starting Wednesday, May 7.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Real ID enforcement begins May 7, TSA urges travelers to prepare for new ID requirements
REAL ID is a law, not an actual piece of ID. There are many pieces of existing identification that will work, other than an Enhanced Driver’s License, according to the Washington Department of Licensing.
But TSA crew members recommend that anyone traveling with a standard state-issued driver’s license to give themselves an extra hour to pass through security.
Under the new regulations, every traveler 18 years of age or older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification (like a passport book or card) at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel.
These identification options meet REAL ID standards:
Enhanced driver license (EDL)Enhanced identification card (EID)U.S. Military IDU.S. PassportU.S. Passport CardPermanent Resident Card (Green Card)Federally recognized tribal-issued photo IDU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)Foreign Passport
A person’s first Enhanced ID (EID) costs $96 and is good for six years. You can pay $128 for an EID that will not expire for eight years.
Washington residents can still obtain standard driver licenses and ID cards, which will remain valid for driving and identification within the state. However, these standard IDs will not be accepted for boarding domestic flights after the 2025 deadline.
To obtain a Washington EDL or EID, applicants must be U.S. citizens and provide a Social Security number, proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and proof of Washington State residency.
Washington’s EDL/EID does not feature a star marking, which is common in other states’ REAL ID cards. Instead, it bears a U.S. flag marking. Despite this difference, the EDL/EID is equally acceptable for domestic air travel as a REAL ID card.
Since July 2018, standard Washington driver licenses and ID cards have been marked with “Federal limits Apply” to indicate they do not meet the federal requirements to be a REAL ID-approved document.
More information on REAL ID and how to apply for an EDL or EID can be found HERE.
Passed by Congress in 2005 following a 9/11 Commission recommendation, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Security standards include incorporating anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud, and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is who they claim to be.
The federally mandated travel document requirement has seen several delays, most recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the recent extension to May 7, 2025.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates 81% of air travelers are currently compliant.
