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REAL ID Compliance: What Washingtonians need to know

Posted Wednesday, June 14, 2017 by Pivotal Law Group

InsleeThe REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses. Here's the latest update residents of Washington need to know.

  • Washington's standard driver's license/identification card does not meet the standards required under the REAL ID Act. Washington also offers "enhanced" IDs that are compliant with this Federal law. Unlike standard IDs, enhanced IDs require proof of citizenship and contain other security features.

  • Last month, Governor Jay Inslee signs a bill seeking to bring Washington state into compliance with the REAL ID Act. Starting July 2018, the standard IDs will be marked to indicate they are not REAL ID compliant.

  • Washington residents will still be able to choose which ID they want. Those with standard IDs will eventually need to provide REAL ID complaint identification, such as a passport, for domestic air travel and other federal purposes.

  • Washington state officials have asked for an extension from enforcement of federal requirements for state driver’s licenses and ID cards through October 2020, but so far the feds have only granted an extension through July 10.

  • Washington lawmakers expect their request for an extension to October 2020 will be granted. If, however, the extension is not granted, Washington residents could be required to show REAL ID compliant identification for federal purposes as early as January 2018.

Click here for a link to the full article or see the link below:

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-state-granted-real-id-extension-through-mid-july/