Get a REAL ID in Washington

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Washington's REAL ID is the enhanced driver license (EDL) or enhanced ID card (EID), for U.S. citizens only: the proofs to bring, the appointment at a driver licensing office, and what it costs.

Your situation

Do you already have a Washington driver license or ID card?
How old is the applicant?
Is the name on your identity document different from the one on your citizenship document?
Online or in person
No, apply in person · Make an appointmentYou apply in person at a driver licensing office, with a document review and an in-person interview. Only U.S. citizens can get an EDL or EID. The Department of Licensing tells you to make an appointment at a driver licensing office; without one, an office at capacity may ask you to go to another office or come back another time.
Cost
$7 to $56$7 per year for the time remaining on your current card.
You leave with
Temporary cardYou get a temporary EDL or EID before you leave, but it can't be used at border crossings. The apply pages say to allow 2 weeks for the card to arrive by mail; the EDL guide says 2-3 weeks after your application is approved.

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Certified U.S. birth certificate (Issued by a city, county or state; hospital certificates aren't accepted)
      • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
      • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
      • U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
      • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Current, valid Washington driver license or ID card (Can be renewed in the office if expired)
      • Government (federal, state, county or municipal) employee ID card
      • Valid out-of-state driver license or ID card
      • Valid U.S. military ID card
      • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
      • U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
      • A parent or guardian (For applicants under 18)
    • Show accepted documents
      • Your Social Security number (Required for adult and minor applications)
    • Show accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Your Washington ID or license, or your spouse's (A spouse's needs a marriage certificate or unexpired military ID)
      • Washington vehicle, vessel or utility trailer title or unexpired registration
      • Utility bill (electricity, gas, water, sewer or garbage) (Printout OK)
      • Telephone, cable, cell phone or internet bill (Printout OK)
      • Auto, home or renter's insurance policy or bill
      • Personal mail, postmarked

  2. Make an appointment

    Book an appointment at a driver licensing office. Vehicle licensing offices (county auditors and subagents) don't offer driver license or ID card services.

    Appointments on fortress.wa.gov ↗

  3. At the office

    Leave time for a document review and an in-person interview; applications are accepted up to 60 minutes before closing. Your photo is taken and you pay the fee. You leave with a temporary card; allow about 2 weeks (the EDL guide says 2-3 weeks after approval) for the card to arrive by mail.

Common reasons people get turned away

  • A standard Washington license or ID (marked "Federal limits Apply") is not REAL ID-compliant and can't be used to board domestic flights.
  • Only U.S. citizens can get an EDL or EID; a green card or work visa doesn't qualify. Noncitizens can fly with other accepted IDs, such as a Permanent Resident Card.
  • Photocopies and online printouts aren't accepted unless the checklist says so, and hospital birth certificates don't count.
  • The temporary EDL or EID can't be used at border crossings, and an EDL isn't accepted for international flights.

Offices that issue REAL ID

You make an appointment to apply in person at a Department of Licensing driver licensing office. Agency source.

47 offices where you can get a REAL IDSee them on a map, search by county or show the ones open now

Largest cities with them: Seattle (2) · Spokane (2) · Vancouver (2) · Kent (1) · Everett (1)

Results show offices where you can get a REAL ID or may be able to, nearest first, each labelled.

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Sources · checked October 30, 2026

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMV Decoded is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.