Get a REAL ID in New Jersey

Online or in person

No, first REAL ID in person · One visit, by appointmentOnce you have a REAL ID, the MVC lets you renew it online or by mail. Licensing Centers handle REAL ID by appointment only. The MVC says new REAL ID appointments open each morning.

Cost

$35 with an auto licenseMVC FAQ: a standard license or ID costs $24; REAL ID costs $35. The fee table lists the $11 REAL ID fee on top of the $24 auto license fee; other license classes have other base fees.

You leave with

Card by mailLicenses and IDs are no longer printed at the agency; the card is mailed to you. The MVC doesn't give a mailing time for REAL ID specifically (it says 2-4 weeks for a license renewed online).

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Two proofs of New Jersey residential address · 2 different documents
     Electronic or paper documents, per the MVC checklist. Financial information can be blacked out. A NJ license and a NJ vehicle registration cannot be used together.
     Show accepted documents (bring 2)

     • Valid NJ driver license or non-driver ID, or an MVC license renewal form (showing your residential address)
     • Utility or credit card bill (issued within the past year)
     • Bank or credit union checking or savings statement (issued within the past year)
     • Unexpired lease or residential rental agreement
     • USPS Change of Address form
     • Tax bill, statement or receipt, or a letter from the IRS or a tax office (within the past year)
     • First class mail from any government agency (within the past year)
     • Pay stub (issued within six months)
     • W-2 (issued within the past year)
     • Mortgage, investment or financial institution statement (issued within the past year)
     • Unexpired insurance policy (auto, dental, family care, health, home, life or residential rental)
     • Home/rent/car insurance bill (issued within the past year)
     • Deed or title to real property
     • Valid NJ vehicle registration or MVC registration renewal form (showing your residential address)
     • DD214 (issued within the past year)
     • Doctor or hospital bill (issued within the past year)
     • EZ Pass bill or statement (issued within the past year)
     • Health or dental letter or statement from your provider (EOB) (issued within the past year)
     • Residential rental bill statement (issued within the past year)
     • School report card, record or transcript (issued within two years)
     • If under 18: parent or guardian statement (form MR-24)
   • Your full Social Security number
     Entering your number on the application counts: the MVC verifies it electronically with the SSA. If that verification fails, bring one of these documents showing your full name and full number.
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Your SSN entered on the application (verified electronically)
     • Social Security card
     • W-2 (issued within the past year)
     • Pay stub with your name and full SSN
     • 1099 form (issued within the past year)
   • One primary identity document
     Choose only one. Each is worth 4 points, except the INS-issued green card without an expiration date (2 points). Paper originals or certified copies in English with the required seals; electronic copies are not accepted.
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
     • U.S. or U.S. territory birth certificate (certified copy filed with a state vital statistics office)
     • U.S. Department of State birth certificate (FS-545 or DS-1350)
     • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)
     • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-578 or N-570)
     • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
     • Current Permanent Resident Card (I-551) with an expiration date
     • Unexpired foreign passport with a valid visa and I-94
     • Current photo employment authorization card (I-688B or I-766)
     • Permanent Resident Card (I-551) issued by INS without an expiration date (2 points)
   • Secondary documents to reach 6 points
     Add documents until primary + secondary total 6 points. No more than two 1-point documents count. Paper documents you use for address or Social Security proof can also count here if listed (e.g. a Social Security card or bank statement). Examples using the MVC's points: U.S. passport (4) + Social Security card (1) + bank statement (1) = 6; U.S. birth certificate (4) + U.S. college photo ID with transcript (2) = 6; Certificate of Naturalization (4) + civil marriage certificate (3) = 7, which is more than the 6 needed.
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Unexpired REAL ID license, non-driver ID or probationary license from any state (4 points)
     • Current U.S. military photo ID, dependent card or retiree card (3 points)
     • Civil marriage or civil union certificate, divorce decree, or name change court order (3 points)
     • U.S. adoption papers or NJ firearm purchaser card (3 points)
     • Unexpired federal employee driver license or photo ID (2 points)
     • Military discharge papers (DD-214) or FAA pilot license (2 points)
     • U.S. school photo ID with transcript or school records, or college photo ID with transcript (2 points)
     • Unexpired standard photo driver license from any state, or NJ standard non-driver ID (1 point)
     • Social Security card (1 point)
     • Bank statement or record (past year), or ATM/debit card with your printed name and signature (1 point; not both)
     • Health insurance or prescription card (1 point)
     • Employee ID with pay stub, or state professional license (1 point)
     • High school diploma, GED or college degree (1 point)
     • NJ municipal property tax statement, bill or receipt (1 point)
     • NJ public assistance card with photo (NJ Social Services ID) (1 point)
     • For NJ high school students: waiver certificate for the written driver test (1 point)
     • Veterans Administration universal access photo ID card (1 point)

2. Book an appointment at a Licensing Center

   REAL ID is available at all Licensing Centers by appointment. New appointments open each morning on a rolling basis. The MVC says the best time is at renewal, within three months of your card's expiration date.

   MVC appointment scheduler ↗

3. At the agency

   Fill out the application (form BA-208), hand in your documents and have your photo taken. Staff scan your documents, a federal requirement. Your new card is mailed to you.

   Form BA-208 (PDF) ↗