Get your EDL/EID

The enhanced driver license (EDL) or enhanced ID card (EID) confirms your identity and citizenship, and is an acceptable alternative to a passport for re-entry into the U.S. at land and sea border crossings.

Requirements

• Whether you’re getting your first Washington State driver license or ID card, renewing, or just upgrading to the EDL/EID, you will need to bring documentation to establish (or re-establish) your U.S. citizenship, identity, and Washington State residence.
• You must be at least 18 years old to get an Enhanced Driver License, or 16 years old to get an enhanced intermediate driver license. There are no age requirements for an enhanced ID card.
• If you are applying for an enhanced intermediate driver license, you must meet all the requirements for an intermediate driver license in addition to the requirements for an enhanced driver license.

For more information about EDL/EID requirements, call 1-866-520-4365.

How to get an enhanced driver license

You must visit one of our EDL/EID office locations in person to apply for an enhanced driver license.

If you are getting your first driver license:

1. Decide which of our EDL/EID office locations you want to visit:
   • If it is an appointment-only office, call 1-866-520-4365 to make an application appointment before you visit.
   • If it is a walk-in office, simply visit the office during business hours. You must start your application before 2 p.m. on weekdays and before noon on Saturdays. Please expect some wait time and arrive early, especially if you are applying with family members. The enhanced application includes a documents review and an in-person interview, and takes longer to process.
2. When you visit the EDL/EID office, bring along:
   • Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence.
   • Your Social Security number, which is required to help enforce child support laws. Your social security number will be verified but won’t appear on your license.
   • Cash, check, or money order for the fee.
3. Complete an application, which includes:
   • Your Washington resident address and phone number.
   • A physical description, (height, weight and eye color).
   • Your place of birth and mother’s maiden name.
   • A physical and mental fitness statement.
   • Previous driver license information, if any.
   • Suspensions, revocations, or cancellations of prior driver licenses.
4. Pass a vision screening and demonstration of color recognition.
5. Pass the knowledge test and driving test.
6. Successfully complete an interview with a licensing services representative.
7. Sign a declaration that we gave you materials describing the use and purpose of:
   • Biometric identification technology to verify your identity.
   • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the enhanced driver license or ID card.
8. Have your photograph taken.

If you have a valid Washington State driver license:

1. Decide which of our EDL/EID office locations you want to visit:
   • If it is an appointment-only office, call 1-866-520-4365 to make an application appointment before you visit.
   • If it is a walk-in office, simply visit the office during business hours. You must start your application before 2 p.m. on weekdays and before noon on Saturdays. Please expect some wait time and arrive early, especially if you are applying with family members. The enhanced application includes a documents review and an in-person interview, and takes longer to process.
2. When you visit the EDL/EID office, bring along:
   • Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence.
   • Your Social Security number, which is required to help enforce child support laws. Your social security number will be verified but won’t appear on your license.
   • Cash, check, or money order for the fee.
3. Complete an application, which includes:
   • Your Washington resident address and phone number.
   • A physical description, (height, weight and eye color).
   • Your place of birth and mother’s maiden name.
   • A physical and mental fitness statement.
   • Previous driver license information, if any.
   • Suspensions, revocations, or cancellations of prior driver licenses.
4. Pass a vision screening and demonstration of color recognition.
5. After completing the steps above, you won’t need to take a knowledge test or a driving test unless you have a medical or physical condition that indicates testing is required.
6. Successfully complete an interview with a licensing services representative.
7. Sign a declaration that we gave you materials describing the use and purpose of:
   • Biometric identification technology to verify your identity.
   • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the enhanced driver license or ID card.
8. Turn in your standard Washington State license so it can be invalidated.
9. Have your photograph taken.

If you have a valid license from another state:

1. Decide which of our EDL/EID office locations you want to visit:
   • If it is an appointment-only office, call 1-866-520-4365 to make an application appointment before you visit.
   • If it is a walk-in office, simply visit the office during business hours. You must start your application before 2 p.m. on weekdays and before noon on Saturdays. Please expect some wait time and arrive early, especially if you are applying with family members. The enhanced application includes a documents review and an in-person interview, and takes longer to process.
2. When you visit the EDL/EID office, bring along:
   • Your out-of-state license.
   • Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence.
   • Your Social Security number, which is required to help enforce child support laws. Your social security number will be verified but won’t appear on your license.
   • Cash or check to pay the fee.
3. Complete a driver license application, which includes:
   • Your Washington resident address.
   • A physical and mental fitness statement.
   • Previous driver licenses information (if any).
   • Suspensions, revocations, or cancellations of prior driver licenses.
4. Pass a vision screening and demonstration of color recognition.
5. After completing the steps above, you won’t need to take a knowledge test or a driving test unless you have a medical or physical condition that indicates testing is required.
6. Successfully complete an interview with a licensing services representative.
7. Sign a declaration that we gave you materials describing the use and purpose of:
   • Biometric identification technology to verify your identity.
   • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the enhanced driver license or ID card.
8. Turn in your out-of-state driver license so it can be invalidated.
9. Have your photograph taken.

If you have an expired license from another state:

1. Decide which of our EDL/EID office locations you want to visit:
   • If it is an appointment-only office, call 1-866-520-4365 to make an application appointment before you visit.
   • If it is a walk-in office, simply visit the office during business hours. You must start your application before 2 p.m. on weekdays and before noon on Saturdays. Please expect some wait time and arrive early, especially if you are applying with family members. The enhanced application includes a documents review and an in-person interview, and takes longer to process.
2. When you visit the EDL/EID office, bring along:
   • Your out-of-state license.
   • Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence.
   • Your Social Security number, which is required to help enforce child support laws. Your social security number will be verified but won’t appear on your license.
   • Cash or check to pay the fee.
3. Complete a driver license application, which includes:
   • Your Washington resident address.
   • A physical and mental fitness statement.
   • Previous driver licenses information (if any).
   • Suspensions, revocations, or cancellations of prior driver licenses.
4. Pass a vision screening and demonstration of color recognition.
5. Pass the knowledge test and driving test.
6. Successfully complete an interview with a licensing services representative.
7. Sign a declaration that we gave you materials describing the use and purpose of:
   • Biometric identification technology to verify your identity.
   • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the enhanced driver license or ID card.
8. Turn in your out-of-state driver license so it can be invalidated.
9. Have your photograph taken.

You will get a temporary EDL before you leave the office, and your permanent EDL will be delivered by U.S. mail in 2–3 weeks. You can use the temporary license for driving, but not for border crossing.

How to get an enhanced ID card

You must visit one of our EDL/EID office locations in person to apply for an enhanced ID card.

1. Decide which of our EDL/EID office locations you want to visit.
   • If it is an appointment-only office, call 1-866-520-4365 to make an application appointment before you visit.
   • If it is a walk-in office, simply visit the office during business hours. You must start your application before 2 p.m. on weekdays and before noon on Saturdays. Please expect some wait time and arrive early, especially if you are applying with family members. The enhanced application includes a documents review and an in-person interview, and takes longer to process.
2. Complete an application at the EDL/EID office.
3. Pay the application fee.
4. Show us proof of citizenship, identity, and residence for each person applying for an enhanced ID card. A parent or legal guardian may prove the identity and Washington State residence for children under 18. The parent or legal guardian must live in Washington State and must be able to present acceptable documents to prove identity, residence, and his or her relationship to the child under 18.
5. Provide your Social Security number. Your social security number will be verified but won’t appear on your card.
6. Successfully complete an interview with a licensing services representative.
7. Sign a declaration that we gave you materials describing the use and purpose of:
   • Biometric identification technology to verify your identity.
   • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the enhanced driver license or ID card.
8. Have your photograph taken.

You will get a temporary enhanced ID card before you leave the office, and your permanent card will be delivered through United States mail in 2–3 weeks. You can use the temporary card for identification, but not for border crossing.