A method and apparatus for determining user equipment cell identification examines the age of the cell identification known to the user equipment when determining whether to use that cell identification or to obtain the cell identification through alternate means. The age of the cell identification known to the user equipment is examined by the user equipment, the communication system, or both by comparing the age to a predefined value. The age indicator can be transmitted by the user equipment to a network. If the age exceeds a predefined value, then the cell identification is obtained through network procedures. If the age is less than a predefined value then the cell identification known to the user equipment is accepted as current. Position information for the user equipment can be based upon the cell identification known to the user equipment or as obtained through network procedures.