Get a REAL ID in District of Columbia

By · checked

DC licenses and ID cards with a star are REAL IDs: to get your first one, bring original identity documents, two DC residency documents and your Social Security number to a DC DMV service center; the regular card fee applies and the card comes by mail.

Your situation

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

DC DMV says the star in the upper right corner marks a REAL ID. A Limited Purpose card can't be used as federal identification.

Do you want a driver license or a non-driver ID card?
Are you a U.S. citizen?
Is your current legal name different from the name on your proof of identity?

For example, your birth certificate shows your name before marriage.

Online or in person
No, one office visit · One service center visitDC DMV must check your identity, Social Security number and DC residency in person once; online and mail services open up after you have a REAL ID. DC DMV's service center pages list opening hours and busy times and don't mention appointments. Knowledge tests end at 3 pm (Tue-Sat). You may visit any service center.
Cost
License $47 for 8 yearsDC DMV says REAL ID costs the same as its other credentials. A 2.5% service fee applies to debit and credit card payments.
You leave with
Temporary paper card, then card by mailThe paper card is valid for 45 days; DC DMV mails the card within 10 business days and doesn't mail to PO boxes.

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Show accepted documents
      • DC DMV Driver License/Identification Card Application
    • Show accepted documents
      • Current DC driver license or non-driver ID card
    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • U.S. passport or passport card
      • U.S. birth certificate or birth certification card (filed with a state office of vital statistics)
      • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
      • Certificate of Naturalization
      • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
    • Show accepted documents
      • Your Social Security number, written on the application
      • Letter from Social Security saying you're not eligible for a number (only if that applies to you)
    • Show accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Utility bill (water, gas, electric, oil or cable) (within 60 days; not a disconnect notice)
      • Telephone or cell phone bill (within 60 days; not a disconnect notice)
      • Deed
      • Mortgage statement or settlement agreement (within 60 days)
      • Unexpired lease or rental agreement (signed by landlord and tenant, with start date and term)
      • DC property tax bill or tax assessment (within 12 months)
      • Unexpired homeowner's or renter's insurance policy (with declaration page)
      • Official mail from a government agency (not DC DMV) (with contents, within 60 days)
      • Car or personal loan statement (within 60 days; not student loans)
      • Home security system bill (within 60 days)
      • Letter from a DC university or college registrar certifying your on-campus address (within 60 days)
      • DC DMV Proof of Residency Certification form (signed within 60 days, with the certifier's documents)

  2. Fill out the application

    Print and complete the driver license/identification card application and bring it with you.

    Application form on dmv.dc.gov ↗

  3. Visit a DC DMV service center

    Staff check your documents and take your photo, and you pay the fee. For a license you also pass a vision screening. The Georgetown Service Center is temporarily closed.

    Service center locations ↗

  4. Wait for your card in the mail

    You leave with a temporary paper card valid for 45 days. DC DMV mails the card to your address of record within 10 business days; it doesn't mail to PO boxes.

Common reasons people get turned away

  • Bring originals: DC DMV doesn't accept photocopies, notarized copies or altered, torn or laminated documents, and one document can't count as two proofs.
  • Residency proofs must show a DC street address (no PO boxes) and most must be from the last 60 days; screenshots on a phone aren't accepted.
  • The name on your identity document must match Social Security's records.
  • Getting a DC ID card instead of converting your out-of-state license cancels that license, and you'd have to retake the knowledge and road tests for a DC license.
  • If you can't get a REAL ID (no Social Security number or lawful presence), DC offers a Limited Purpose license or ID card; it can't be used as federal ID, and a Limited Purpose license always needs the knowledge and road tests.
  • DC DMV won't accept documents that aren't on its lists.

Offices that issue REAL ID

DC DMV says to bring your completed application and documents to a DC DMV service center, and that you may visit any service center; the inspection, emissions kiosk, adjudication and road test/CDL location pages don't list license or ID card services. 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

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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.