Will you have what you need to travel in May 2023?
Due to the pandemic, the federal government extended the deadline for the new ID law to May 3, 2023. Washington residents should start planning now for new air travel requirements.
Are you prepared to travel in 2023?
REAL ID will affect access to places controlled by the federal government

Airport security checkpoints

U.S. border crossings

Secure federal buildings (like military facilities)
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)


Ways to travel with Standard Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards
Even though REAL ID goes into effect on May 3, 2023, it only affects folks who want to travel by plane or access certain federal facilities. Your standard driver’s license or ID card will work for other U.S. travel like driving in Washington, across state lines, or riding a train. Standard driver’s licenses or ID cards are available without U.S. citizenship; however, in July 2018, ID cards began featuring a marking that reads "not accepted for federal purposes". Markings do not indicate citizenship or immigration status. In addition, you can still access federal facilities like courts, Social Security offices, national parks, and health care facilities with a standard driver’s license or ID.
Discover REAL ID Options
Here are some of the options that will work for air travel when REAL ID goes into effect on May 3, 2023. Find the full list here.

Foreign Passport

Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)

U.S. Passport

Enhanced Identification Card (EID)

Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

U.S. Military ID

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

Federally Recognized, Tribal-Issued Photo ID

U.S. Passport Card

Border Crossing Card