Enforcement of stricter identification standards for domestic air travel has been pushed back again, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today.
The latest delay means the REAL ID Act will now go into effect May 7, 2025. By then, everyone 18 years of age or older will need a compliant ID in order to fly within the United States or to access restricted federal facilities such as military bases.
Standard driver licenses and IDs do not meet the new federal requirements. One option is to upgrade to an enhanced driver license/ID. This can only be done in person at a driver licensing office. To avoid long lines, make an appointment. And before your visit, see what you’ll need to bring.
It’s possible you already have what you need. Besides an enhanced driver license/ID, REAL ID-compliant options include:
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- Foreign passport
- Permanent resident card (Green Card)
- U.S. military ID
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- Border crossing card
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employment authorization card (I-766)
See more options.
Because they are not REAL ID compliant, years ago we began marking standard driver licenses/IDs with the words “Federal Limits Apply.” Although you won’t be able to use them to fly anymore, they’ll still be good for most everyday ID purposes.
Unlike some states, Washington does not issue REAL ID cards featuring a star marking. Our enhanced licenses/IDs instead bear a U.S. flag. One advantage to having an enhanced license/ID is that it can be used for land and sea border crossings into Canada and Mexico.
If you plan to upgrade to an enhanced license/ID, don’t put it off. As the deadline approaches and demand rises for enhanced documents, appointments may be harder to get. Wait times for those without an appointment may be longer.
Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 to help combat terrorism and identity theft. Shortly after, Washington began issuing enhanced documents, in part to help residents planning to travel to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Games.
The REAL ID deadline was previously delayed twice, in 2020 and 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic limited access to licensing services throughout the U.S.
Licensing Express 