REAL ID document & appointment checklist

Plain hub for gathering the right papers and finding official state appointment links. Not legal advice. Not DOL, DMV, DHS, or TSA.

What REAL ID is (short)

The REAL ID Act (2005) set minimum security standards for state driver’s licenses and ID cards. Federal agencies generally will not accept a noncompliant state license or ID for certain official purposes — including boarding most domestic commercial flights and entering many secure federal facilities.

• Enforcement: Full TSA / federal enforcement for air travel and covered facilities began May 7, 2025 (per DHS / TSA).
• Marking: Many states put a star on REAL ID-compliant cards. Washington’s Enhanced Driver License / Enhanced ID uses a U.S. flag marking instead of a star — still REAL ID–compliant per WA DOL.
• Optional for driving: You can usually keep a standard license for driving. Standard cards often say “Federal Limits Apply” and are not accepted for covered federal ID purposes after enforcement.

Do you already have something that works?

You may not need a new state REAL ID if you already have another TSA-acceptable ID. Examples often listed by TSA (always confirm the live list):

• U.S. passport or passport card
• State REAL ID–compliant license / ID (or Enhanced DL / Enhanced ID)
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. military / DoD ID (including dependents, as accepted)
• Permanent resident card, certain Tribal photo IDs, TWIC, and others on the TSA list

Official lists: TSA REAL ID · TSA acceptable IDs · DHS REAL ID (DHS page may redirect to TSA content).

ConfirmID note (no REAL ID at the airport)

Per TSA (last checked 2026-09-05): starting February 1, 2026, travelers 18+ without an acceptable ID may be offered TSA ConfirmID identity verification for a published fee (TSA has listed $45). That is a backup path — not a substitute for bringing acceptable ID when you can. Confirm live on TSA’s identification page.

How to use this desk

1. Check whether you already have a passport or other acceptable ID.
2. Open your state page (WA / OR below, or your DMV via the DHS/TSA state map).
3. Run the state’s official document checklist — do not invent your own list.
4. Book only through the state’s official appointment system (how).
5. Allow mail time for the permanent card; temporary paper IDs may not be accepted by TSA.

State pages (beachhead)

• Washington (DOL)

  WA meets REAL ID via Enhanced Driver License (EDL) / Enhanced ID (EID). Flag marking, not a star. U.S. citizens; appointment + document review.

  WA checklist →

• Oregon (DMV)

  Oregon REAL ID has a star. In-person docs; $30 surcharge (per OR DMV). Appointments recommended via DMV2U.

  OR checklist →

More states can be added the same way. Until then, use the state selector on tsa.gov/real-id.

Shared tools

• Document gathering

  Generic prep list (birth cert, SSN, residency examples). Always finish on your state’s official list.

  Docs checklist →

• Appointments

  How to find official booking links. Heavy warning about fake third-party sites and surprise fees.

  Appointment guide →

Hard rules for this workshop

• Government sites are source of truth — this page is a pointer, not a substitute.
• Never pay a third-party site a “REAL ID appointment fee” that is not clearly your state DMV / DOL.
• Children under 18: TSA generally does not require ID for domestic travel; airlines may have their own rules — ask the airline.
• Not legal advice. Immigration, name-change, and citizenship questions belong with official agencies or a licensed attorney.