Get a REAL ID in Delaware

By · checked

Get a Delaware REAL ID (federally compliant license or ID with a star): bring original documents to a DMV office once; you leave with the card the same day, at the regular fee.

Your situation

Do you already have a Delaware license or ID with a star in the upper right corner?

Delaware's compliant cards carry the star. A non-compliant card says "Not for Federal Identification" in the upper margin.

Are you a U.S. citizen?
Is your current legal name different from the name on your birth certificate or passport?

For example, you changed your name when you married.

Online or in person
No, one office visitDMV asks you to bring original source documents to your local DMV for a one-time revalidation. Wilmington's online scheduler says appointments are required there. DMV's REAL ID pages don't mention appointments for the other offices.
Cost
Regular card feeDMV says a compliant card costs the same as a non-compliant one: $50.00 for an 8-year Class D license, $40.00 for an ID card. Upgrading mid-cycle: DMV's REAL ID FAQ says it costs a $20.00 duplicate fee, but its fees page lists a duplicate license at $20.00 and a duplicate ID card at $10.00.
You leave with
Card the same dayDelaware issues over the counter: you walk out with your license or ID the same day.

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • U.S. birth certificate (original or certified copy with a raised seal, issued by a state Office of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health)
      • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport
      • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545)
      • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570)
      • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
      • Certificate of Naturalization N-578 or Certificate of Citizenship N-645 (listed in DMV's Document Guide)
      • U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197) (listed in DMV's Document Guide)
    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Social Security card
      • W-2 tax form
      • SSA-1099 or SSA Non-1099 form
      • Pay stub showing your full SSN
      • Any valid Social Security Administration document showing your full SSN
    • Show accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Utility or cable bill
      • Credit card statement
      • Auto or life insurance policy
      • Voter registration card
      • Bank account records
      • Employment records
      • Rental agreement
      • USPS change of address confirmation, or postmarked mail with a forwarding label
      • Other non-personal mail (junk mail) postmarked within the last 60 days

  2. Go to a DMV office

    Delaware has DMV offices in Wilmington, Delaware City, Dover and Georgetown. Wilmington's scheduler says appointments are required there; DMV's REAL ID pages don't say for the others. Questions: (877) 477-7117.

    Wilmington DMV online scheduler ↗

  3. At the office

    Your photo is taken at the start, your documents are verified electronically, and you pay the regular license or ID fee. You leave with the card the same day.

Common reasons people get turned away

  • Photocopies are not accepted: every document must be an original or certified copy.
  • Residency proofs must be postmarked or dated within 60 days, from two different sources, and show your street address, not a P.O. box.
  • If your name differs from your birth certificate, you need every name change document, and Social Security must have your new name at least 48 hours before your visit.
  • Non-U.S. citizens: your card can't outlast your authorized stay, and DMV uses a one-year term when your records show "duration of status".
  • Under 18: a parent, legal guardian or court-appointed custodian with valid ID must come with you (legal custody order if applicable), and your birth certificate must list both parents' names.

Offices that issue REAL ID

Delaware DMV says you bring your original documents to your local DMV when applying for or renewing a license or ID card to get a federally compliant one. Agency source.

4 offices where you can get a REAL IDSee them on a map, search by county or show the ones open now

Results show offices where you can get a REAL ID or may be able to, nearest first, each labelled.

Read more

Did it work on your first visit?

Tell us after you've been. One anonymous answer, no account, nothing else saved.


Sources · checked October 30, 2026

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMV Decoded is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.