Can Felons Get a Real ID in Washington?
Felons need Real IDs as much as anyone else if they plan to fly anywhere in the United States. But will their criminal record stop them from obtaining this documentation? Or are they just as eligible for a Real ID as anyone else?
Felons who are Washington residents and can produce the required documents can obtain a Real ID. Not all felons have easy access to birth certificates, passports, or other forms of identification. If you are currently facing criminal charges or have been recently released on parole, you may still be eligible for a Real ID. That said, you may be unable to use the Real ID right away, as you might face travel restrictions.
Call the Law Offices of Smith & White at (253) 203-1645 for help with your case from our Tacoma criminal defense lawyers.
Are Felons Eligible to Get Real IDs in Washington?
Like other Washington residents, released felons are eligible to get Real IDs. Additionally, like other Washington residents, felons can obtain Real IDs only by providing all the necessary documentation.
Having a criminal record does not necessarily make you ineligible for a Real ID, provided you are not currently incarcerated. A criminal history may make obtaining a Real ID more challenging if you lack easy access to essential documents, such as your birth certificate or a valid passport.
Not all felons have dependable housing or employment. This makes requesting copies of certain documents and proving residency in Washington more difficult, and complicates many other aspects of day-to-day life, let alone the process of obtaining a Real ID.
Enhance your driver’s license or state ID card to be Real-ID compliant as a felon. If you are only recently released from prison and are currently on parole, your license might still be revoked, depending on the conditions of your release. With a valid and current driver’s license, you may not be able to get the enhanced Real ID-compliant license.
What Documents Do Felons Need to Get Real IDs?
Washington requires proof of U.S. citizenship for anyone seeking a Real ID, and accepts the following documents:
- Valid U.S. passport or passport card
- Certified U.S. birth certificate
- S. Certificate of Citizenship
- S. Certificate of naturalization
You must also provide a document that proves your identity, such as your current, valid Washington driver’s license, out-of-state driver’s license, or a valid U.S. passport.
Finally, you must provide two documents proving your Washington residency, such as a phone bill, bank account statement, car registration, or paycheck with your employer’s name and phone number.
How Much Do Real IDs Cost for Felons in Washington?
There are also economic hurdles to obtaining a Real ID-compliant driver’s license in Washington, especially for felons recently released from prison or those unable to secure stable employment.
When getting your first Real ID, or as Washington calls it, “enhanced ID,” the cost is $96 for a six-year valid ID card or $128 for an eight-year valid ID card.
For anyone upgrading their current Washington ID or driver’s license to an enhanced ID, the cost may range from $7 to $56, depending on the number of years remaining on the validity of your current ID.
Bring your form of payment with you when getting a Real ID so you can easily complete the transaction.
If you need a Real ID in advance of a domestic flight out of Washington State, make an appointment at a driver licensing center in your area. Be prepared with the required documents, as missing any crucial information may prevent you from obtaining your enhanced ID in Washington.
After your documents are reviewed and approved, and you’ve paid for the ID, you should receive it in the mail within two weeks.
When Do Felons Need Real IDs in Washington?
If you don’t have any domestic flights on the horizon, getting a Real ID may not be at the top of your to-do list, whether or not you are a felon. However, if you do plan to travel for any reason, you may need a Real ID to board a flight to anywhere else in the country.
Currently, the only other use for Real IDs is for identification purposes when entering certain federal buildings. Most people do not obtain Real IDs for this reason, as they are only required for successful air travel.
A valid standard driver’s license is not the same thing as Real ID unless it is Real ID-compliant and an enhanced driver’s license.
Can Someone with Active Felony Charges Get a Real ID?
You may even be able to get a Real ID if you have any active charges against you. That does not mean that you can necessarily use the enhanced ID to fly to another state, as you might face travel restrictions while out on bail.
Defendants with active cases who try to use Real IDs may be unsuccessful. The judge assigned to your case may even revoke your bail if they think you were trying to flee the charges you were currently facing.
Bail conditions are strictly enforced in criminal trials for felony charges. Due to this, our Washington criminal defense lawyers advise defendants against attempting to use a Real ID, passport, or other TSA-approved form of identification to leave Washington State by air.
Suppose your trial is over, you served part of your sentence, and you are released early on parole. You may also obtain a Real ID in that scenario, though you may still face travel restrictions while on parole.
Always notify your parole officer of any trips out of town, especially if you are going to another state. You may need approval before you leave the area. Violating your parole means risking being returned to prison to serve the remainder of your sentence, so don’t risk it.
Call Our Defense Attorneys for Help in Washington
Call the Law Offices of Smith & White at (253) 203-1645 to discuss your case with our Lakewood criminal defense lawyers.