Submitted by Thurston County Auditor
While the Department of Licensing and Thurston County Auditor’s Office will temporarily pause vehicle and vessel licensing services on Friday, February 14, residents can take advantage of increased walk-in capacity for passport application appointments. With the REAL ID deadline approaching on May 7, 2025, now is the perfect time to ensure you have the proper identification to fly. A passport is REAL ID compliant and can be processed quickly during this licensing service downtime.
The Department of Licensing (DOL) is upgrading the vehicle licensing system, requiring the closure of in-person and online licensing services. Services will resume Tuesday, February 18. Online services, including tab renewals, will not be available starting Monday, February 10.
“Customers who need to conduct vehicle and vessel licensing transactions should do so before the outage,” said Mary Hall, Thurston County Auditor. “This temporary closure also provides a great opportunity for residents to apply for a passport while wait times are low.”
Don’t wait until the last minute to meet the REAL ID requirements. Schedule your passport appointment today and make the most of this convenient service.
