Get a REAL ID in Texas

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Get a Texas REAL ID (a card with a star in a circle): check your documents online, book a Texas DPS driver license office appointment, and bring originals, or request a duplicate if DPS already has your documents.

Your situation

Do you have a Texas driver license or ID card now?

A REAL ID-compliant Texas card has a star inside a circle in the upper right corner.

Is your current legal name different from the name on your birth certificate or other identity document?
Online or in person
Maybe, as a duplicate · Maybe one visit, by appointmentDPS says you can request a duplicate compliant card in person or, if eligible, through Texas.gov. Online replacement only works if nothing on the front of your card changes. If you can't replace your card online, book a driver license office appointment. In-office services are by appointment only.
Cost
Regular card feeDPS lists no separate REAL ID fee. A replacement license or ID costs $11, and the expiration date does not change.

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Valid U.S. passport or passport card
      • Original or certified birth certificate
      • Social Security card, W-2 or 1099
    • Show accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Utility bill dated within 90 days
      • Deed, mortgage, or residential rental or lease agreement
      • Valid Texas vehicle registration or title
      • Bank or credit card statement dated within 90 days

  2. Try a duplicate online

    DPS says you can request a duplicate compliant card through Texas.gov. Online replacement needs your card number, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number and the audit number printed on your card.

    Replace your card on dps.texas.gov ↗

  3. Book a driver license office appointment

    Book online up to six months ahead. Without an appointment, the office kiosk can book a same-day slot if one is open. Texas lets you hold a license or an ID card, not both; to switch, choose "Service Not Listed" and be ready to surrender your card.

    Schedule an appointment on dps.texas.gov ↗

  4. Fill in the application

    Complete Form DL-14A, available online or at the office.

    Apply for a license on dps.texas.gov ↗

  5. At the office

    Arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before your appointment; it is cancelled if you are more than 30 minutes late. Staff check your documents, take your thumbprints, signature and photo, and you pay the fee. Credit cards are preferred; cash, checks, money orders and tap-to-pay are also accepted. If you got a renewal notice, bring the documents it lists; you can renew up to two years before expiration.

    Appointments on dps.texas.gov ↗

Common reasons people get turned away

  • Photocopies and laminated documents are not accepted.
  • The name and date of birth must match on all your documents; if your name changed, bring the legal proof.
  • Two statements for the same service from different months count as only one residency proof.
  • Appointments are cancelled if you arrive more than 30 minutes late.
  • First-time drivers aged 18 to 24 without the adult driver education certificate (dated within 90 days) are turned away.

Offices that issue REAL ID

Texas DPS says you get a compliant card in person at a driver license office, or as a duplicate through Texas.gov. DPS encourages visiting its Mega Centers for all driver license and ID card needs. TxDMV says it does not issue or renew driver licenses, so county tax offices (vehicles) do not. Agency source.

227 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: Houston (5) · San Antonio (2) · Dallas (1) · Fort Worth (3) · Austin (3) · El Paso (4) · Corpus Christi (1) · Plano (1)

Results show offices where you can get a REAL ID or may be able to, nearest first, each labelled.

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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.