SEATAC, Wash. — Travelers will soon need a REAL ID in order to get on a domestic flight, including to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The rush to beat the May 7 deadline is creating long waits at many Seattle-area licensing offices, and the TSA reports it is preparing for potential backups as officers will assist those with and without the accepted identification. The TSA warns that people who don’t have the acceptable form of ID could face delays, additional screening, or be turned away from airport security.
People needing to get a REAL ID before their next trip, whether it’s for Mother’s Day or summer travel, are encouraged to prepare for wait times of an hour or more at licensing offices across Puget Sound.
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People in line told KOMO News crews on Wednesday that appointments have been hard to come by and booked out in some places by up to 60 days.
“I’m probably going to leave, honestly,” Caleb Perkins said.
“I live in Federal Way, and I couldn’t even get an appointment out there,” added Alycia Beck as she left the West Seattle licensing office.
The Washington Department of Licensing reports increased demand for people trying to get their Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced ID. They are a new requirement for all domestic flights on or after May 7 under the Real ID Act as a post-9/11 security measure.
It takes up to 10 business days for the DOL to mail out the new, REAL IDs.
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The TSA clarified it will not accept the paper, temporary copy at the airport, but the agency will take an enhanced driver’s license expired up to a year ago.
DOL Spokesperson Thomas Charlson explained another way to plan ahead now is for travelers to take inventory of the ID they do have that may work at airport security.
“You also have other options, including a U.S. passport, U.S. Military ID, tribal ID,” he said. View all acceptable forms of ID here.
“If you are not flying soon, there is no need to rush to get an enhanced driver license/ID card,” Charlson wrote in an email to KOMO. “If you are flying soon, check to see if you have a U.S. passport or another REAL ID-compliant document before getting an enhanced license/ID card.”
The TSA confirms airports, including SeaTac, are prepared to help travelers without a REAL ID by offering other identity verification procedures.
“Is TSA worried about the backups that might cause if people are searching for all different types of identification?” KOMO News’s Jackie Kent asked.
“We’ll make sure that we’re staffed and able to accommodate those who are prepared and those who are not prepared. We’re just encouraging them to arrive early to be prepared for additional screening and, of course, run the risk of being turned away if they cannot verify their identity,” TSA Spokesperson Lorie Dankers responded.
