What You Need To Know About The New Passport ID Option

As of earlier in 2025 they made it so you can't even travel by air from state to state without a Real ID or passport.

You also need a passport if you were to simply drive to Canada or Mexico as well.
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Now even if you're flying from Yakima to Seattle, you'll need a passport or Real ID.

Only In Your State mention another form of ID that many may not have thought about or even considered, but will work for travel.

And, best of all, it's cheaper than a passport book and doesn't require a trip to the DMV.

Fuse

A Passport ID is somewhere in between a proper passport and Real ID.
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Like a Real ID, it will work for domestic flights in the United States.

If you were to fly from Pasco to Las Vegas, this should work just fine if you don't have a passport or Real ID, yet.

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If you're planning on driving to Mexico or Canada, this will also work at the border.

The Passport ID works to gain entry to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

This Passport ID will not work for air travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean. Or anywhere else for that matter.

How to Get a Passport ID

Only In Your State has a more detailed explanation but here's the quick rundown of what to expect.

Use Form DS-11 to apply, but you can specify that you just want the card. You can get both if you'd like, both card and book.

You'll need proof of U.S. citizenship like a birth certificate, driver's license and a passport photo along with anything else they may need.

Submit your application. If it's your first time you'll have to submit in person. In Yakima this can be done at the post office on 3rd and Washington.

Pay your fees. The card is a lot cheaper than the book.

And that's it! Now you wait and you should have your Passport ID in no time.
However, it still does take time so don't be doing this when you plan on traveling, like, a week later. If you're even thinking about traveling to Canada, for instance, best to do it now so you'll be ready for when that time comes.

These cards last 10 years and can renew from home.