One Month Until You Need a Real ID in Washington State

May 7th is coming up sooner than you think.

In just a month away, if you don't have a Real ID, you'll need other documents to fly anywhere.

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Not just to Canada or Mexico, but you'll need a Real ID even to fly from Yakima to Seattle.

What is a Real ID

Sure, you may have heard the term tossed around, but really it's just your license or ID card enhanced, but not exactly an enhanced ID.

Although an Enhanced ID, if you have one of those in Washington State, an Enhanced ID does count as a Real ID.

Did I confuse you more? I know I did for myself. Here's what the Washington State Department of Licensing says about it.

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.

As it is right now, and has been for several years (decades, even) to fly anywhere you used to just need your ID if you were traveling within the United States. If you're going overseas like to Japan or London then, yes, you'd need a passport.

If you already have a passport, you don't need a Real ID. You will just have to use your passport for traveling from state to state by plane.

If you have your enhanced ID that also counts according to the WA DOL.

But if you prefer to just fly in state, even if it's once a year or something, you'll need to upgrade to a Real ID.

DOL makes it painless to do so. I'd recommend doing it now so if it comes up where you have to fly somewhere you'll already be ready to go and not in a mad last-minute rush to get everything you need.