The federal REAL ID law becomes effective on May 7 after years of postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mandating "minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards," such as an enhanced driver's license, to travel by air or visit certain federal facilities. These can be used in place of a passport for reentry into the US from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

A spokesperson for the Washington Department of Licensing confirmed in May 2024 — one year prior to the law's official enforcement — that nearly 22% of Washingtonians had already obtained the necessary IDs.

The REAL ID law was passed to prevent fraud and identity theft and is now required for anyone to access federal facilities, nuclear power plants, and commercial airlines.

The required IDs differ from standard identification, as they include proof of residency or legal status. Americans can still purchase airline tickets without them, but they should know the new restrictions and acquire the proper document before traveling.

Regular IDs can still be used by Americans wishing to buy age-restricted substances and to enter 21+ venues. Travelers looking to jet-set beyond the Western Hemisphere will still be required to provide a passport at the time of travel and pass through customs and border checks.

With federal rollbacks on X gender markers and many Transgender travelers getting updated documents with the wrong gender, some are wary of attempting to gain another form of ID.

Thomas Charlson, communications spokesperson at the DOL, told the SGN that the X gender marker will still be available for anyone obtaining a REAL ID—compliant identification in Washington.

"We are still offering the gender X designation... It's a state designation," Charlson said. "We do believe under the REAL ID Act that states have the power to determine this... The one thing we don't know is how TSA will handle identification with the letter X."