I’m Kayla, a real person who lives in Tacoma and commutes to Seattle. I like tech when it saves time. So I spent the last year trying digital ID options in Washington. Some parts felt smooth. Some… not so much. Here’s my plain, first-hand take.
If you want the blow-by-blow version with every screenshot, I’ve put that in a separate deep-dive: I Tried Digital ID in Washington State: What Actually Worked For Me.
Wait, which “digital ID” are we talking about?
Good question. Washington has a few things that people call “digital ID.” I’ve used three in real life:
- ID.me and SecureAccess Washington (SAW) for state services online
- WA Verify for vaccine records (yep, still a thing for some events)
- Phone-based “mobile driver’s license” style ID… which is still limited here
They’re not the same. And that matters.
If you're curious about the open standards that make secure, reusable digital identities possible, this primer on OpenID breaks it down without the jargon.
Setting up my online identity for state services
I first used ID.me with my SecureAccess Washington account during the unemployment crunch. I had to prove I was, well, me.
How it went for me:
- I scanned my Washington driver’s license with my phone.
- I did a selfie check. It failed twice because of glare.
- I moved by a window, took off my glasses, and it worked.
- The whole thing took about 15 minutes. On a different day, a video chat agent took 30 minutes to pick up. So plan time.
Where I used it:
- Employment Security Department (for unemployment and Paid Family & Medical Leave)
- Later, some logins remembered me through SAW, so it was faster
What I liked:
- Once I got through, follow-up logins were quick
- I could do it from my couch with my dog on my feet
What bugged me:
- The selfie liveness test is very picky
- It felt weird handing so much data to a third party, even if it’s normal now
Tip that saved me: use steady light and a plain background. No hats. No shiny lamp behind you.
WA Verify for vaccine records
I used WA Verify to pull my vaccine record for a show at Climate Pledge Arena back when events checked cards more often. I typed my info, got a QR code, and showed it at the door.
- It scanned fine the first time.
- A week later, I pulled it up again. Still worked.
- One night, my phone was at 2%. Stress. I made a screenshot after that.
This isn’t a legal ID for age or travel. It’s just your vax record. But it’s handy when a venue still asks.
The big question: Can I use a digital driver’s license in Washington?
Short answer: not in most places yet. I’ve tested the waters a bunch.
Real examples from my week-to-week life:
- Bar in Capitol Hill: They asked for the plastic card. No exceptions.
- Grocery store beer run (Ballard): Same thing. “Company policy.” The cashier was nice about it.
- Cannabis shop in Tacoma: They had a scanner, but said they need a physical ID.
- Sea-Tac TSA: They didn’t accept a Washington phone ID when I asked. Some other states use Apple Wallet, but Washington isn’t on that list. I still showed my plastic card.
- Traffic stop? I didn’t try this, and I wouldn’t. You’re expected to carry your physical license.
Curious how different that is from other parts of the country? I road-tested rollouts elsewhere, too—Georgia’s digital ID, Utah’s version, Oklahoma’s mobile ID, Arkansas’ take, North Carolina’s pilot, Arizona’s Apple-Wallet friendly ID, and even Illinois’ iLogin approach. Spoiler: results vary.
So yes, “digital ID” is a thing in the news. But you can’t count on it here for age checks, the airport, or police. Not yet.
What the setup felt like (the phone ID stuff)
I tried a mobile ID app that let me scan my license and face. It was slick, but here’s the rub: I couldn’t find many places that would take it. It’s like having a shiny key to a door that’s not installed.
What I did like:
- It let me choose to share only “Over 21” and not my exact birthday. That felt smart.
- Face unlock was fast.
- It stored things offline after setup, which made it snappy.
If age-gated spaces online are more your scene—think dating or casual-meetup boards—quick proof that you’re really 18+ can save a lot of awkward back-and-forth. A handy resource I found is this continually updated rundown of post-Craigslist options: modern Craigslist personals alternatives where you can see which sites still let adults post, browse, and connect while keeping age verification front and center, so you avoid fake profiles and under-age users from the start. Speaking of niche local boards, you can get an on-the-ground look at how ID verification is handled in a smaller market by checking out this walkthrough of Listcrawler in Simpsonville, South Carolina: Listcrawler Simpsonville. It breaks down the current posting rules, the verification hoops you’ll face, and smart safety tips before you message anyone.
What held me back:
- Almost no one accepted it
- Battery anxiety (dead phone = no ID)
- I still had to carry my plastic license everywhere
Privacy and trust, in plain talk
I care where my data goes. I read the fine print more than most. Here’s how I think about it:
- For ID.me and SAW, it’s a trade. Faster services, more sensitive data.
- For mobile ID on my phone, I like “share only what’s needed” features. Age-only is great.
- But until stores, TSA, and law enforcement accept it, I keep my wallet.
If you’re the cautious type, you’re not wrong to wait.
Little wins and little fails
Wins:
- SAW + ID.me made later logins a breeze
- WA Verify got me into a show without digging for papers
- The idea of sharing only “21+” instead of my full birth date is chef’s kiss
Fails:
- Bars and shops around Seattle and Tacoma still want the plastic
- TSA at Sea-Tac didn’t take a Washington phone ID when I asked
- Setup selfies can be fussy in low light
Tips if you’re trying this too
- Keep your physical license with you. Don’t gamble with a phone-only plan.
- For selfie checks: bright window, no glasses, steady hand.
- Make a screenshot of your WA Verify QR code. Save your battery.
- If the app offers “share less” options, use them. Age-only, city-only—stuff like that.
My bottom line
Digital ID in Washington is halfway there. Online? Pretty good. In person? Not ready for prime time. I still carry my plastic license, and I will for a while.
Would I set up the digital stuff again? Yes. It saves time with state services, and it’s inching forward. But if you’re hoping to breeze through a bar check with just your phone—honestly, you’ll hit a wall.
You know what? I’m rooting for it. Just give me the day I can buy a six-pack with a tap and not get the side-eye. Until then, wallet stays.