What an Enhanced Washington Driver's License Is and Why You Might Need One

An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is a Washington state ID that lets you cross the land border into Canada and Mexico without a passport. It has a special radio frequency chip and a distinctive design — a vertical format with a gold star in the upper right corner. If you travel to Canada or Mexico by car, boat, or foot, you will need either a passport, a passport card, or an EDL.

The EDL costs more than a standard license and takes longer to get because Washington must verify your citizenship and identity more thoroughly. You cannot renew an EDL by mail — you must appear in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. If you do not cross the border, a standard Washington driver's license works for all domestic driving.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or national to get an EDL, and you will need to prove it with a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers.
  • The EDL costs more than a standard license — the fee varies depending on how long you want it valid, but expect to pay roughly $20 to $30 extra.
  • You must go to a DVS office in person; you cannot mail in an EDL process or renew one by mail.
  • The process takes about two to four weeks from the time you explore, though you can request a temporary paper permit to cross the border while you wait.
  • You will need your Social Security number, proof of Washington residency, and proof of citizenship or nationality.

Documents You Need Before You Go to the DVS Office

Bring originals or certified copies — DVS staff will not accept photocopies for citizenship documents. You need three categories of proof: identity, residency, and citizenship.

For identity, bring your current Washington driver's license, passport, passport card, or state ID. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current Washington address — it must be dated within the last 60 days. For citizenship, bring one of these: a U.S. birth certificate (original or certified copy), a U.S. passport or passport card, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

If your birth certificate is from outside the United States, you will also need to bring a valid passport or passport card to prove you are a U.S. citizen. Write down your Social Security number before you leave home — you will need it to fill out the process.

how the process works at a DVS Office

Find your nearest DVS office on the Washington State Department of Licensing website. Some offices take walk-ins; others require an appointment. Call ahead or check online to see whether your local office books appointments or operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring all your documents and arrive early if you are walking in.

At the office, tell the staff member you want to explore for an Enhanced Driver's License. They will give you a form to fill out — currently form DL 44 for a new license or form DL 43 for a renewal. The form asks for your name, address, Social Security number, and citizenship status. The staff member will verify your documents, take your photo and signature, and collect the fee. Ask them whether you can get a temporary paper permit to cross the border while your EDL is being made — some offices issue these on the spot.

You will receive a receipt with an estimated completion date. Most EDLs are ready in two to four weeks. You can pick it up at the same office or have it mailed to your address for a small additional fee.

Cost and How Long It Takes

The fee for an EDL depends on how long you want it to be valid. A four-year EDL costs roughly $20 to $30 more than a standard four-year license, though the exact amount varies. A six-year or eight-year EDL costs proportionally more. Ask the DVS staff for the current fee before you pay — prices change and may differ slightly by office.

Processing takes two to four weeks in most cases. During that time, your old license remains valid for driving within the United States. If you need to cross the border before your EDL arrives, ask the DVS office for a temporary paper permit — not all offices issue them, but many do. The permit is valid for a limited time and must be carried with your old license.

What Happens If You Cannot Prove Citizenship

If you do not have a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers, you cannot get an EDL. You can still get a standard Washington driver's license, which is valid for driving anywhere in the United States. To cross the land border into Canada or Mexico, you would need to carry a passport or passport card instead.

If you were born abroad and do not have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, you can request one from the U.S. State Department — this process takes several weeks. In the meantime, a passport is the fastest way to prove citizenship for border crossing.

Renewing Your EDL

You cannot renew an EDL by mail. When your license is about to expire, you must return to a DVS office in person with the same documents you brought for your first process. Bring your current EDL, proof of residency, and your citizenship document. The process is the same as explore for a new one, and the fee is the same.

If your EDL has already expired, you can still renew it at a DVS office — there is no time limit on renewal. However, if it has been more than a few years since it expired, DVS may ask you to provide updated residency proof or re-verify your citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an EDL if I am a permanent resident or have a green card?

No. An EDL requires U.S. citizenship or nationality. If you are a permanent resident, you can cross the land border with a valid passport or passport card. A green card alone is not sufficient for land border crossing.

What if I lose my EDL before it expires?

Report it to DVS and request a replacement. You will need to go to a DVS office in person with your identity and residency documents. The replacement fee is usually the same as the original fee. You do not need to bring citizenship documents again if you are replacing a lost EDL.

Can I use an EDL to fly domestically within the United States?

Yes. An EDL is a valid form of identification for domestic flights. However, you do not need an EDL for domestic air travel — a standard Washington driver's license works just as well.

How do I know if my birth certificate counts as proof of citizenship?

A U.S. birth certificate — original or certified copy — is accepted as proof of citizenship. If your birth certificate is from a U.S. territory or from abroad, bring it along with a valid passport or passport card. The DVS staff will tell you on the spot whether your documents are acceptable.

What if I moved to Washington recently and my residency documents are not yet 60 days old?

You can still explore for an EDL. Bring whatever residency document you have — a lease, utility bill, or bank statement — even if it is newer than 60 days. DVS staff will review it and let you know if they need additional proof of your Washington address.