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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is giving you more time to get your REAL ID-compliant identification.
Enforcement of the REAL ID Act, which strengthens ID standards for air travel, now won’t begin until May 3, 2023. When it goes into effect, anyone 18 years of age or older will need a compliant ID to board a domestic flight. You’ll also need one to access federal facilities such as military bases. Continue reading “REAL ID enforcement date delayed (again) until May 3, 2023”
Go online now to renew your driver license or instruction permit. If you delayed renewing due to the extensions, it’s time to act.
We’re planning no further extensions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Check your license or permit. If its expiration date ranges from March 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, please renew it as soon as possible. Continue reading “Extensions are ending”
Updated 12 p.m., April 29, 2021
Worried your ID soon won’t fly? Rest easy and stay healthy. You have another year to make sure you’re ready for REAL ID.
Due to the pandemic, the original deadline got pushed back by a year to May 3, 2023. You now have more time to make sure you have what you need to board an airplane or access federal facilities such as military bases. Continue reading “With REAL ID still a year away, you have plenty of time – and options”
These days, the only way to get into one of our driver licensing offices is with an appointment. But with social distancing and other safety measures limiting our capacity, they fill up fast! If you need to visit one of our offices, try something different: online services.
To make sure those with urgent needs can get an appointment, we’re asking everyone else to go online. Or even hold off or find another way until the health emergency is over. Continue reading “Have you tried online? It’s your first option for most licensing services”
Two more driver licensing offices — Union Gap and West Seattle — will reopen by appointment only on Tuesday, August 11. That will bring the total number of reopened offices statewide to 36. Continue reading “Union Gap and West Seattle offices to reopen by appointment August 11”
The Department of Licensing (DOL) is temporarily closing all driver licensing lobbies beginning March 31, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All appointments are being canceled at this time and no appointments will be made going forward.
“The safety and health of both employees and customers is paramount. Sanitation products continue to be difficult to purchase and ensuring appropriate social distancing during in person transactions is difficult” said Teresa Berntsen, Director of the Department of Licensing. “We appreciate patience and understanding as the Department of Licensing does its part to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Updated 12 p.m., April 29, 2021
The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday, that they will delay enforcing the REAL ID Act until May 3, 2023. This decision is expected to promote social distancing in the months ahead by reducing the number of people visiting driver licensing offices to obtain compliant identification.
Passed by Congress in 2005 in an effort to strengthen security standards after 9/11, the REAL ID Act had been scheduled to take effect October 1, 2020. Continue reading “REAL ID enforcement postponed due to coronavirus pandemic”