Washington Airport: Arizona Licenses Valid For Travel?

As of May 7, 2025, a Travel ID will be required to use a driver's license or identification to board an aircraft or enter restricted federal buildings and military bases in the United States. This has raised questions about whether Washington airports will accept out-of-state IDs, such as those from Arizona. While specific information regarding Arizona licenses is not currently available, Washington airports will only accept IDs that are REAL ID-compliant, including enhanced driver's licenses, passports, and military IDs.

TSA-accepted forms of ID at Washington airports

As of May 7, 2025, every air traveller aged 18 and above will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to fly within the United States. This means that if you plan to use your state-issued ID or driver's license to fly within the country, it must be REAL ID-compliant. REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card. If you are unsure whether your ID complies with REAL ID, you can check with your state department of motor vehicles.

The following are acceptable forms of ID at TSA checkpoints at Washington airports:

• REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state-issued enhanced driver's license (EDL). In Washington, an EDL is marked with a flag.
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveller cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognised Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorisation Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veterans Health Administration (VA) ID

If you do not have an acceptable form of identification, you may still be allowed to fly. A TSA officer will ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes providing information such as your name and current address. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint but will be subject to additional screening, including a pat-down and screening of carry-on property.

REAL ID-compliant forms of ID

As of May 7, 2025, all travellers wishing to board commercial aircraft in the US will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification. This means that US state-issued driver's licenses that are not REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as a valid form of identification for boarding aircraft.

A REAL ID-compliant form of ID is defined as a state-issued driver's license or identification card that meets the following requirements:

• It has a gold star in the upper right corner, indicating that the ID is REAL ID-compliant.
• It is issued by a US state that has adopted the REAL ID Security Plan Guidance Handbook, which sets out the minimum security features for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.
• It contains the necessary security features, such as a unique number or code, that are designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, and duplication of the ID.
• It is marked with the date of issuance and the date of expiration, which cannot be more than eight years apart.
• It is issued to US citizens or nationals who can provide proof of citizenship or legal presence in the US.

Some acceptable alternative forms of identification that can be used in place of a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card include:

• A valid passport
• A federal government PIV card
• A US military ID
• A permanent resident card

How to obtain a Travel ID

From May 7, 2025, only an Arizona Travel ID (driver's license or ID card), a U.S. passport, or other federally-approved identification will be accepted at TSA airport security checkpoints for domestic travel. This is due to the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, which requires stricter forms of identification.

To obtain an Arizona Travel ID, you must be an Arizona resident and visit AZ MVD Now to gather your documents and make an appointment. The cost of the Travel ID is $25. You will need one document to establish your birth or legal presence, and two documents to establish your residency in Arizona. You will also need to provide documents to prove your citizenship, identity, and residence. This includes a photograph, and in most cases, the Travel ID is valid for eight years.

If you are a resident of Washington State and want to obtain an enhanced driver's license (EDL), you must make an appointment to apply in person at one of the driver licensing office locations. You will need to provide documents to prove your citizenship, identity, and residence, and you must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for an EDL. You will also have your photograph taken, and you should receive your EDL within 2-3 weeks of your application being approved.

It is important to note that rules for international travel are unchanged, and a valid passport or equivalent will still be required to travel outside the United States.

Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)

An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is a card that functions as both a driving license and an identity card with limited passport features. EDLs are issued in some states in the United States and, formerly, in some provinces in Canada. EDLs are only available to citizens of the country in which they are issued and residents of the relevant region. They are compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

EDLs can be used to confirm U.S. citizenship and make it easier for citizens to enter the United States from certain countries. They contain radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips that are connected to a database maintained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS states that no personally identifiable information (PII) is stored on the card's RFID chip or can be transmitted electronically by the card. The card uses a unique identification number that links to information contained in a secure DHS database. This number does not contain PII.

As of 2023, six states offer EDLs: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington, and Ohio. Ohio passed a law to offer EDLs in 2023, but they are not yet available to residents of that state. EDLs are also no longer available in Canada; as of August 2022, no Canadian province or territory is issuing EDLs, and the program will terminate once the validity of all existing EDLs lapses.

To apply for an EDL, you must be a resident of a state that offers them and show proof of residency and U.S. citizenship. You must make an appointment to apply in person at a driver licensing office, where you will be interviewed and have your photograph taken. The application fee for an EDL in Washington State is $35, with an additional $1 technology fee and a $16 per year issuance fee ($116 for five years).

Identification for non-US citizens

For US citizens, a driver's license is a commonly used form of identification. However, non-US citizens may need to present additional documentation to prove their identity and legal status. Here are some guidelines for identification for non-US citizens:

The specific identification requirements for non-US citizens can vary depending on the state and the purpose of identification. For example, identification requirements for boarding a domestic flight may differ from those for applying for a driver's license or entering a federal building. It's always a good idea to check the specific requirements with the relevant authority or organization.

REAL ID Act:

The REAL ID Act sets standards for identification documents that can be used for certain purposes, such as boarding commercial flights within the US and entering federal buildings. Non-US citizens who are lawfully present in the US may be eligible for a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card. The requirements and acceptable documents can vary by state but generally include proof of identity, legal status, and residency.

Acceptable Documents:

The types of acceptable documents for non-US citizens to obtain a REAL ID or similar identification can include:

• Unexpired foreign passport with a valid US visa and approved I-94 form
• Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (I-766) or valid/expired EAD Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C)
• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (EAD) issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Documents reflecting TPS benefit eligibility
• Social Security card or SSA ineligibility letter
• Proof of residency, such as a current utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement
• For California specifically, a letter from a homeless shelter, shelter for abused women, non-profit entity, faith-based organization, employer, or government agency within the US attesting to residency

Temporary Lawful Status:

Non-US citizens with a "temporary lawful status" as defined by the REAL ID regulations may be eligible for a temporary REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card. This includes individuals with a pending application for asylum, temporary protected status, or lawful permanent resident status, among other categories. The validity period of these IDs is typically aligned with the period of authorized stay in the US.

It's important to note that some states, such as Washington, require proof of US citizenship for certain identification cards, such as the Enhanced Driver License (EDL). Non-US citizens in such states may need to explore alternative forms of identification or comply with specific state requirements.

Frequently asked questions