What You Need to Know about REAL ID

The REAL ID Act is a law passed by Congress in 2005 to set security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and regulate the identification needed to enter airports and federal facilities. Washington is one of several other states that received multiple extensions from the federal government over the years to comply with these requirements. Now, on May 7, 2025, enforcement of the REAL ID Act will go into effect for everyone aged 18 and older living in the United States. Here is what you need to know:

→  Starting on May 7, 2025, everyone aged 18 and older will need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. You do not need a REAL ID form of identification to drive, travel by bus or train, or prove your identity in other situations.

→  Washington State currently offers two types of driver’s licenses and ID cards. Washington State Enhanced IDs, which meet REAL ID requirements, are available only to U.S. citizens. Standard IDs are available to anyone residing in Washington State, but they do not meet REAL ID requirements.

Note: If you are a U.S. citizen and have more questions about enhanced IDs, please visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website

→  Starting on May 7, 2025 anyone with a standard WA driver’s license or ID will need OTHER documentation to board domestic commercial flights and for other federal purposes. Common REAL ID-compliant forms of identification include permanent resident cards (green cards), employment authorization documents (work permits), and passports, both from the U.S. and other countries. The Transportation Security Administration has a list of valid identification for airport checkpoints here.

→  SPECIAL NOTE FOR UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE AND FOREIGN PASSPORTS: If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or if you do not have a valid work permit, the only REAL ID-compliant form of identification available to you may be a passport issued by your home country. However, if you do not have permission to be in the U.S. (such as a visa), presenting a foreign passport at an airport or federal facility may put you at risk. For now, we do not recommend that undocumented people travel by plane using only their foreign passports. We will update our recommendation if we see evidence that people traveling only with foreign passports are able to do so safely.

If you have questions about your particular situation, always consult with a trusted immigration attorney. Inna Scott and her team at Global Law Advocates specialize in helping immigrants of all kinds gain legal status and other immigration benefits in the United States. To consult with an experienced attorney about your immigration options, call us at 206-774-8758 or send us an email at info@globallawadvocates.com