Get a REAL ID in District of Columbia

DC licenses and ID cards with a star are REAL IDs: to get your first one, bring original identity documents, two DC residency documents and your Social Security number to a DC DMV service center; the regular card fee applies and the card comes by mail.

Online?No, one office visitDC DMV must check your identity, Social Security number and DC residency in person once; online and mail services open up after you have a REAL ID.
Office visitOne service center visitDC DMV's service center pages list opening hours and busy times and don't mention appointments. Knowledge tests end at 3 pm (Tue-Sat). If you have no valid license from another state, you also take a road skills test, by appointment only.
CostLicense $47 for 8 yearsDC DMV says REAL ID costs the same as its other credentials. A 2.5% service fee applies to debit and credit card payments.
You leave withTemporary paper card, then card by mailThe paper card is valid for 45 days; DC DMV mails the card within 10 business days and doesn't mail to PO boxes.

Your situation

Do you already have a DC driver license or ID card with a star in the upper right corner?

DC DMV says the star in the upper right corner marks a REAL ID. A Limited Purpose card can't be used as federal identification.

Do you want a driver license or a non-driver ID card?
Are you a U.S. citizen?
Is your current legal name different from the name on your proof of identity?

For example, your birth certificate shows your name before marriage.

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Accepted documents
      • DC DMV Driver License/Identification Card Application
    • Accepted documents (bring 1)
      • U.S. passport or passport card
      • U.S. birth certificate or birth certification card (filed with a state office of vital statistics)
      • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
      • Certificate of Naturalization
      • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
    • Accepted documents
      • Your Social Security number, written on the application
      • Letter from Social Security saying you're not eligible for a number (only if that applies to you)
    • Accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Utility bill (water, gas, electric, oil or cable) (within 60 days; not a disconnect notice)
      • Telephone or cell phone bill (within 60 days; not a disconnect notice)
      • Deed
      • Mortgage statement or settlement agreement (within 60 days)
      • Unexpired lease or rental agreement (signed by landlord and tenant, with start date and term)
      • DC property tax bill or tax assessment (within 12 months)
      • Unexpired homeowner's or renter's insurance policy (with declaration page)
      • Official mail from a government agency (not DC DMV) (with contents, within 60 days)
      • Car or personal loan statement (within 60 days; not student loans)
      • Home security system bill (within 60 days)
      • Letter from a DC university or college registrar certifying your on-campus address (within 60 days)
      • DC DMV Proof of Residency Certification form (signed within 60 days, with the certifier's documents)
    • Accepted documents (bring 1)
      • U.S. driver license (not expired more than 90 days)
      • Out-of-state certified driving record (issued within 30 days, showing a valid license)
      • Unexpired out-of-country driver license (you also take the knowledge test)
      • Unexpired DC learner permit and a passed road skills test

  2. Check your documents

    DC DMV's online Document Verification Guide lists what to bring for a license or ID card. DC DMV won't accept documents that aren't on its lists.

    Document Verification Guide ↗

  3. Fill out the application

    Print and complete the driver license/identification card application and bring it with you.

    Application form on dmv.dc.gov ↗

  4. Visit a DC DMV service center

    Staff check your documents and take your photo, and you pay the fee. For a license you also pass a vision screening. The Georgetown Service Center is temporarily closed.

    Service center locations ↗

  5. New driver? Take the tests

    Without a valid license from another state, you take the knowledge test at the service center and get a REAL ID learner permit, then schedule a road skills test. Road tests are by appointment only; walk-ins aren't accepted.

    Road skills tests on dmv.dc.gov ↗

  6. Wait for your card in the mail

    You leave with a temporary paper card valid for 45 days. DC DMV mails the card to your address of record within 10 business days; it doesn't mail to PO boxes.

Common reasons people get turned away

  • Bring originals: DC DMV doesn't accept photocopies, notarized copies or altered, torn or laminated documents, and one document can't count as two proofs.
  • Residency proofs must show a DC street address (no PO boxes) and most must be from the last 60 days; screenshots on a phone aren't accepted.
  • The name on your identity document must match Social Security's records.
  • Getting a DC ID card instead of converting your out-of-state license cancels that license, and you'd have to retake the knowledge and road tests for a DC license.
  • If you can't get a REAL ID (no Social Security number or lawful presence), DC offers a Limited Purpose license or ID card; it can't be used as federal ID, and a Limited Purpose license always needs the knowledge and road tests.

Offices that issue REAL ID

DC DMV says to bring your completed application and documents to a DC DMV service center, and that you may visit any service center; the inspection, emissions kiosk, adjudication and road test/CDL location pages don't list license or ID card services. Agency source.

4 offices in District of Columbia
6 offices where you can't get it

Results show offices that issue REAL ID or may, nearest first, each labelled.

Read more

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. DMVorganization.org is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.