Learn more about the REAL ID Act and what pieces of identification meet the requirements.
What is REAL ID?
The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards. Starting May 7, 2025, anyone traveling by airplane or visiting certain federal facilities must use a REAL ID-compliant document.
You may already have what you need!
REAL ID is a law, not an actual piece of ID. Per the law, there are many pieces of existing identification options that will work including:
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- U.S. Military ID
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Passport Card
- Foreign Passport
- Enhanced Driver License (EDL)
- Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
- Federally Recognized Tribal-issued Photo ID
- Border Crossing Card
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
See the full list of documents accepted for air travel.
Standard driver licenses and ID cards
Yes, we'll continue to offer standard driver licenses and ID cards that can be used by Washington residents to drive or as identification. They don't indicate a person's residency or legal status and starting May 7, 2025, they will no longer be accepted as valid forms of ID for boarding domestic flights.
Enhanced driver license (EDL) and enhanced identification (EID)
An EDL or EID is a form of identification with enhanced security features that shows proof of identity and proof of citizenship. An EDL/EID meets federal requirements under REAL ID and is an approved alternative to a passport or passport card for re-entry into the U.S. at land and sea borders between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
Who can get an EDL or EID?
You must be a U.S. citizen and provide a Social Security number, proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and proof of Washington State residency.
Do I have to get an EDL or EID?
If you don't plan to fly domestically, or already have acceptable identity documents, you may not need an EDL or EID. The standard license will continue to permit you to drive and your standard ID will continue to serve as a valid form of identification within the state.
Washington’s EDL/EID doesn’t have a star marking. Will it be accepted?
The enhanced driver license/ID is Washington’s REAL ID-compliant form of identification. Many other states have chosen to offer a REAL ID card with a star marking. The EDL/EID bears a U.S. flag marking instead of a star. For domestic air travel, the EDL/EID and REAL ID card are equally acceptable.
Is Washington's EDL/EID valid for international travel?
The EDL/EID is valid for land and sea port entry to the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. It is not valid for any other form of international travel, including air travel from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.
Driver licenses and ID cards that don't comply with REAL ID
A standard Washington driver license or ID card does not meet the federal requirements to be a REAL ID-approved document. We started marking standard driver licenses and ID cards with "Federal limits Apply" in July 2018 to show this. The standard license and ID card cannot be used for any international travel.
