Get a REAL ID in Rhode Island

Online or in person

No, one office visit · By reservationYour first REAL ID must be applied for in person with original documents; a license or ID can't be upgraded to REAL ID online. DMV offices that handle licenses and IDs are open by reservation only, and AAA offices require appointments too.

Cost

No extra feeREAL ID costs the same as a standard license or ID if you get it within 90 days of your renewal date. A 5-year license renewal is $73.50.

You leave with

Temporary paper credentialYour REAL ID card arrives in the mail several weeks after you apply.

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Proof of identity
     Original, with your legal name and date of birth. Photocopies are not accepted.
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport (Got or renewed it in the last 6 months? Bring another identity document too, as it may not verify yet)
     • Certified copy of a birth certificate (Filed with the vital records office (or RI city or town hall) in your state of birth)
     • 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)
   • Your Social Security number
     Write the number on your application; it must verify electronically with the Social Security Administration.
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Your Social Security number
     • SSA letter saying you are not eligible for a number
   • Two proofs of Rhode Island residency · 2 different documents
     With your name and home address. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
     Show accepted documents (bring 2)

     • Utility bill dated within 60 days (Gas, electric, phone, cable, oil, water, sewer, satellite, heat or cell phone; it may be in the name of an immediate family member)
     • Personal check or bank statement dated within 60 days
     • Payroll check dated within 60 days
     • Current lease agreement (Must show the landlord's name, address and phone number; handwritten leases are not accepted)
     • Benefits approval letter from a Rhode Island state or federal agency, dated within 60 days
     • Current homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
     • Current car insurance policy
     • Property tax bill from last year
     • Letter from a Rhode Island shelter or halfway house (On letterhead, dated within 30 days, with an administrator's contact information)
     • Jury duty summons dated within 60 days
     • W-2 from last year
     • Current installment loan contract (For example a car or student loan)
     • Current Social Security Administration statement
     • Current pension or retirement account statement
     • Current Rhode Island firearms permit
     • Valid Rhode Island driver's license or ID card
     • For minors: a school record from the current school year (Report card, diploma, transcript or ID card with the student's address)
     • For minors: the Rhode Island license or ID of the adult signing the application

2. Pick the one that fits you:

   1. Option 1: Make a DMV reservation

      Book online under "All Other Reservations" (this covers licenses, state IDs and REAL ID). License and ID transactions can be done at any DMV branch or the Cranston headquarters, all open by reservation only. Don't use online renewal: it can't upgrade you to REAL ID. Online renewals also don't produce a paper temporary with your photo.

      Make a reservation on dmv.ri.gov ↗

   2. Option 2: Go to AAA if you're a member

      AAA members who are U.S. citizens can also get a REAL ID at a Rhode Island AAA branch when renewing or updating a license or ID; AAA doesn't do first licenses or new ID cards. Appointments are required at all AAA locations: book through the AAA link on the DMV's locations page. The DMV says to bring a completed LI-1 form for license and ID transactions there.

      AAA locations and booking link on dmv.ri.gov ↗

3. At the office

   You get a temporary paper license or ID showing that you applied for REAL ID. The card arrives in the mail several weeks later. After your first REAL ID, you can renew online on the standard schedule.