The short answer is no—but the reason why is a major bureaucratic loophole that every local family needs to understand before booking their next flight.
Under the Compact of Free Association (COFA), citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Marshall Islands, and Palau reside in the United States legally as lawful non-immigrants. We pay taxes, build lives, and contribute to our local neighborhoods. Yet, when it comes to basic state identification, Washington’s licensing system creates a frustrating roadblock that treats our community like a paradox.
Why Washington State is Different
In most U.S. states (like California or Oregon), any legal resident with valid COFA paperwork can go to the DMV and get a standard REAL ID—the driver’s license marked with a gold or black star in the top right corner.
But the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) handles things differently. Washington does not issue a standard star-marked REAL ID to regular residents. Instead, the state relies solely on the Enhanced Driver License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID) as its federally compliant form of identification.
Because the Washington EDL doubles as a border-crossing card for land and sea entry into Canada or Mexico under federal rules, the DOL enforces a strict, unyielding requirement: You must prove U.S. Citizenship to get one.
Left in Limbo: “Federal Limits Apply”
Because COFA citizens are legal non-immigrants and not U.S. citizens, our community members are completely disqualified from getting a Washington EDL.
When you renew your driver’s license at the DOL office right here in Federal Way, your card is printed with the words: “Federal Limits Apply.” While a standard license is perfectly valid for regular driving, upcoming federal air travel deadlines mean the TSA will completely reject a standard Washington ID at airport security checkpoints.
Without a compliant ID, families will be forced to carry and maintain secondary federal identification just to pass through TSA for a domestic flight, such as:
-
A valid, unexpired Foreign Passport from your home nation (FSM, RMI, or Palau).
-
A valid U.S. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) / Work Permit.
Community Lifelines: Where to Get Free Help in King County
Keeping multiple international passports unexpired and up to date is a massive, unexpected financial burden for a large family. Recognizing this exact systemic trap, local grassroots organizations are actively stepping up to protect our diaspora and help cover these costs.
1. Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington (PICA-WA)
PICA-WA has established dedicated referral programs to support families navigating the paperwork. Through their local offices right here in Federal Way and down in Vancouver, they work to support the renewal process and can help cover application processing and mailing fees for FSM, RMI, and Palau citizens to ensure our people don’t lose their freedom to travel.
2. Oceania Northwest
Specializing in supporting Pasifika and Oceanian communities across the Puget Sound, Oceania Northwest provides direct, 1:1 assistance and community navigation for COFA passport renewals. In partnership with other local cultural centers, they work to connect eligible individuals with resources to help cover passport fees, photos, and notary services.
-
Office Location: 1158 Industry Drive, Tukwila, WA
-
Contact Info: Call (253) 478-3240 or email info@oceanianw.org
Did you or someone in your family try to apply for an Enhanced ID only to get turned away? Share your experience in the comments below, and send this article to your family group chats to keep the community prepared.
Discover more from ifagalz
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.