Get a REAL ID in New Hampshire

By · checked

Get a New Hampshire REAL ID (star in the top right corner): the documents to bring, the DMV appointment, what it costs and where to go.

Your situation

Is your New Hampshire license or ID due for renewal?
What is your status in the U.S.?

Other non-citizens (work authorization card, work or student visa): the REAL ID checklist lists no identity document for you. See the DMV's Non-US Citizen page or call 603-227-4020.

Is your name different from the one on your birth certificate or passport?
Online or in person
No, one office visit · By appointmentOnline renewal can't give you your first REAL ID: the DMV says to renew in person by appointment at a DMV office. The DMV is fully appointment based. Book online or by phone; the DMV suggests booking an upgrade at least three months before you need it.
Cost
$60 license / $20 IDFor a standard adult license: $60 for a REAL ID driver license ($50 without REAL ID). A non-driver ID card is $20. Youth and commercial licenses have other fees in the DMV fee table.
You leave with
Temporary paper licenseThe paper temporary is not REAL ID compliant. The permanent card is mailed to your New Hampshire mailing address within 60 days.

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Application for Driver License or ID Card (DSMV 450)
      • Commercial Driver License Application (DSMV 312) (For a commercial license)
    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Birth certificate issued by a city, town, state, court or federal agency (With the raised seal or stamp of the issuing authority; includes U.S. citizens born abroad)
      • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
      • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Social Security card (Must show your current name; tattered or worn cards are not accepted)
      • Pay stub with your full Social Security number
      • W-2 with your full Social Security number
      • 1099 with your full Social Security number
    • Show accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Valid, unexpired New Hampshire driver license or non-driver ID card
      • Title application prepared by a town or city clerk or tax collector (Not marked "Non Resident")
      • Valid New Hampshire vehicle registration certificate (Boat registrations are not accepted)
      • Lease or rental agreement signed by both parties, or a deed (A month-to-month lease must be dated within 60 days)
      • Property tax (real estate) bill for the current year
      • Mortgage statement for the property
      • Current utility or delivery-of-service bill (Gas, propane, electric, oil, water/sewer, cable/dish or telephone)
      • Government check or a document from an official of your New Hampshire town or city
      • Payroll check, payroll document or employment contract
      • Notarized letter from the property owner or a current resident
      • Direct verification by a parent or guardian (Notarized if the parent or guardian is not present)

  2. Fill out the application

    Complete the Application for Driver License or ID Card (DSMV 450), or the commercial application (DSMV 312), and bring it with you.

    Application DSMV 450 (PDF) on dmv.nh.gov ↗

  3. Book a renewal appointment

    Book a renewal at any DMV office online, or call 603-227-4000. You can't get your first REAL ID with an online renewal. A license renewal also includes a vision test.

    Book an appointment on qmatic.cloud (NH DMV) ↗

  4. At the appointment

    You get a temporary paper license or ID, which is not REAL ID compliant. The permanent card is mailed to your New Hampshire mailing address within 60 days; most people get it within 45 days. If it hasn't arrived after 45 days, call 603-227-4020.

    Temporary paper license on dmv.nh.gov ↗

Common reasons people get turned away

  • Your identity and residency documents must show your current name, or you need proof of every name change, for example one document for each marriage.
  • Tattered or worn Social Security cards are not accepted.
  • The paper temporary license is not REAL ID compliant; only the card mailed to you is.
  • DMV mail is not forwarded: if your address on file is out of date, your mail is forwarded or you're marked "temporarily away" at the Post Office, you won't receive your card.

Offices that issue REAL ID

To get a REAL ID for the first time, renew in person by making an appointment at any DMV office. Agency source.

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

Largest cities with them: Manchester (1)

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.