Get a REAL ID in Iowa

Online or in person

No, first REAL ID in person · One visit to an Iowa DMV locationREAL ID is not available with online renewal. Once you have the gold star, you can renew online every other renewal cycle. Iowa DOT asks you to make an appointment. Its service centers also take walk-ins and will do their best to accommodate you, so expect a possible wait. County treasurer offices set their own appointment rules.

Cost

No extra chargeYou pay the regular fee: Class C license $4 per year of validity, ID card $8 (8 years), replacement $10. A $1.50 credit card fee applies, county offices may add a convenience fee, and a $10 out-of-county fee may apply. Active duty military and honorably discharged veterans are exempt from certain license fees.

You leave with

Card by mail, up to 30 daysIowa DOT says it can take up to 30 days to receive your REAL ID in the mail.

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Proof of identity, date of birth and lawful status
     Originals or certified copies. Your Iowa or out-of-state license is not proof of identity.
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
     • U.S. birth certificate (certified copy issued by a state; hospital certificates are not accepted; Puerto Rico certificates must be issued on or after July 1, 2010)
     • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545)
     • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570 or N-578)
     • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561 or N-645)
   • Proof of Social Security number
     Must show your name and your full number, not just the last four digits. If you have no document, you can give your number in person; if it verifies with the SSA, no further proof is needed. Not authorized for employment? You don't need to document an SSN; Iowa DOT verifies your USCIS number instead. If you can work but have no SSN, you must get one first.
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Social Security card
     • W-2 form
     • SSA or non-SSA 1099 form
     • Pay stub
     • IRS form 1095-A, 1095-B or 1095-C
     • Bank statement
     • Military document
     • Any other document with your name and full Social Security number
   • Two proofs of Iowa residential address · 2 different documents
     Printed documents with your current name and current Iowa residential address. No post office boxes. Under 18: bring a Parent's/Guardian's Written Consent form instead; Iowa DOT's checklist tool lists what else to bring.
     Show accepted documents (bring 2)

     • Iowa voter registration card
     • Valid Iowa vehicle registration certificate
     • Valid insurance card or certificate of coverage (life, health, auto, homeowner's or renter's)
     • Utility hookup or bill (water, gas, electric or garbage)
     • Telephone hookup, service agreement or bill
     • Bank, credit union or credit card statement
     • Iowa mortgage, lease or rental agreement (leases must include the landlord's name and contact information)
     • Iowa real estate tax statement, or homestead or military tax credit application
     • Pay stub from your employer
     • School enrollment papers for a dependent child in an Iowa school
     • Federal, State of Iowa or local government document
     • Envelope, box, postcard or magazine with a postmark or stamped date
     • Iowa license or ID (expired no more than one year)

2. Make an appointment

   Book a driver's license/ID appointment at an Iowa DOT driver's license service center. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. For a county treasurer's office, check with that office.

   Schedule an appointment ↗

3. Visit an Iowa DMV location

   Bring your documents and your current license or ID, which you must surrender. No tests are needed just to add the gold star if you already have a license, unless staff have driver fitness concerns.

   All DMV locations ↗

4. Watch your mail

   It can take up to 30 days to receive your REAL ID in the mail. You only go through the REAL ID process once; later renewals keep the gold star. If you have temporary lawful status, you prove your status again at each renewal.