REAL ID: exactly what to bring, state by state
Pick your state, answer four questions about the paperwork you already have, and get the precise list to carry to the counter — plus your fee, whether an appointment is required, and how long the card takes.
Start with your state
Requirements, accepted documents, and fees are set state by state — there is no single national list.
- Alabama$36.25
- Alaska$20
- Arizona$25
- Arkansas$30
- California$32
- Colorado$30.87
- Connecticut$30
- Delaware$25
- District of Columbia$44
- Florida$25
- Georgia$32
- Hawaii$40
- Idaho$30
- Illinois$5
- Indiana$17.50
- Iowa$10
- Kansas$22
- Kentucky$23
- Louisiana$32.25
- Maine$30
- Maryland$45
- Massachusetts$25
- Michigan$18
- Minnesota$21.25
- Mississippi$18
- Missouri$18
- Montana$22.68
- Nebraska$28.50
- Nevada$23.25
- New Hampshire$25
- New Jersey$24
- New Mexico$18
- New York$72.50
- North Carolina$14
- North Dakota$15
- Ohio$25.75
- Oklahoma$25
- Oregon$30
- Pennsylvania$0
- Rhode Island$27.50
- South Carolina$25
- South Dakota$28
- Tennessee$28
- Texas$16
- Utah$23
- Vermont$30
- Virginia$52
- Washington$35
- West Virginia$15
- Wisconsin$28
- Wyoming$20
No state matches that search.
The four things every state asks for
1. Proof of identity and lawful status
One original or certified document: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate with a raised seal, a permanent resident card, or naturalization paperwork. This is the category with no shortcut — a photocopy or a photo on your phone will be turned away.
2. Proof of your Social Security number
Your Social Security card, a W-2, an SSA-1099, or a pay stub showing the full number. Most states do not require the physical card, which saves people who cannot find theirs a trip to the Social Security office.
3. Proof of address in your state
Utility bills, bank statements, a lease or mortgage statement, or a vehicle registration — showing your name and street address, usually dated within the last 60 to 90 days. Most states require two separate documents from different sources.
4. Proof of any legal name change
If your name is not the one on your identity document, bring certified marriage, divorce, or court-order paperwork for every change. This is the single most common reason applications get rejected at the counter.
REAL ID fees and requirements by state
Upgrade price is what most people pay when they already hold a license or state ID. First-time price applies to a brand-new card.
Fees are the base credential cost and exclude optional extras such as an Enhanced Driver’s License upgrade or expedited shipping.
REAL ID questions
Do I actually need a REAL ID?
You need a REAL ID (or another federally accepted ID such as a valid U.S. passport, passport card, or DHS trusted-traveler card) to board a domestic flight or enter a federal facility that requires identification. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025. You do not need one to drive, vote, or buy anything — a standard license still does all of that.
I have a passport. Can I skip the REAL ID?
Yes, for flying. TSA accepts a valid U.S. passport or passport card in place of a REAL ID. Many people still upgrade because carrying a passport for a weekend trip is inconvenient, and because a REAL ID costs far less than a passport renewal.
Can I get a REAL ID online?
No state issues a first REAL ID entirely online. Federal rules require an in-person visit so a clerk can inspect your original documents and capture your photo. Many states let you upload documents or fill out the application in advance, which shortens the visit — those links are on each state page below.
What documents do I need?
Four categories: one proof of identity and lawful status (passport or certified birth certificate), one proof of your Social Security number, proof of address in the state (most states want two documents), and certified proof of any legal name change since your birth certificate was issued. Exact accepted documents vary by state.
How much does a REAL ID cost?
Most states charge their normal license or ID fee, typically $0 to $72.50 depending on the state and whether you are upgrading an existing card or applying for the first time. Every state's current fee is in the table on this page.
My name changed. What extra paperwork is required?
You need certified documents that connect the name on your identity document to your current legal name — a certified marriage certificate, a divorce decree that shows the name change, or a court order. Decorative keepsake certificates are not accepted, and every link in the chain must be documented if your name changed more than once.
How long until the card arrives?
Most states mail the permanent card in about two to four weeks and hand you a temporary paper credential at the counter. Processing time for each state is listed on its page.
What is the difference between a REAL ID and an Enhanced Driver's License?
An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), offered by a handful of border states, is REAL ID compliant and also works for land and sea crossings to Canada and Mexico. It costs more and requires proof of U.S. citizenship. For flying inside the United States, a standard REAL ID is enough.