Get a REAL ID in Hawaii

Get a Hawaii REAL ID (a license or state ID with the star): bring original documents to your county's driver licensing office, usually by appointment; it can't be done online, and on Oahu the star costs nothing extra.

Online?No, in personHonolulu says you can't apply for a REAL ID online, and a first Hawaii license needs an in-person visit with your documents. The online duplicate is an exact copy of your current card, so it won't add a star. State ID renewals and duplicates must be done in person under state law.
Office visitOne visit, by appointmentBook through AlohaQ at one of Oahu's five Driver Licensing Centers. Renewals and duplicates for U.S. citizens and green card holders are also offered at the Downtown, Hawaii Kai, Pearlridge and Windward City Satellite City Halls.
CostNo extra REAL ID feeYou pay the regular fee. On Oahu a driver's license is $40 for 8 years (ages 25-71), $20 for 4 years and $10 for 2 years; non-citizens add a $1.50 USCIS verification fee. A state ID is $40 for 8 years, or $5 per year for a limited term tied to legal presence. Cards add a 2.35% service fee.
You leave withPaper temporary card, plastic by mailThe permanent card arrives in 4-5 weeks. The temporary paper card is not accepted for flights or federal purposes.

Your situation

Which county do you live in?

Driver licenses and state IDs in Hawaii are issued by the counties, and each runs its own offices and appointments.

Do you already have a Hawaii driver's license or state ID?

A REAL ID card has a star marking.

Do you want a REAL ID driver's license or a REAL ID state ID?

You can hold only one REAL ID card: a license or a state ID, not both.

Are you a U.S. citizen?
Is your current name different from the name on your birth certificate or other identity document?

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

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Accepted documents (bring 1)
      • U.S. birth certificate issued by a state or local government (Puerto Rico birth certificates certified before July 1, 2010 are not accepted)
      • U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
      • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
      • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
      • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570)
    • Accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Social Security card (original card; plastic or metal cards are not accepted)
      • W-2 form from the previous year (a printed electronic copy is fine)
      • SSA-1099 or other 1099 form from the previous year
      • Pay stub with your name
    • Accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Valid Hawaii driver's license
      • Current vehicle registration or title
      • Valid insurance statement or card (auto, homeowners, medical, etc.)
      • Mail from a government or medical entity (not more than two months old)
      • Utility bill (not more than two months old)
      • Bank, credit union, investment or card statement (not more than two months old)
      • Payroll check or stub (not more than six months old)
      • Current mortgage account or proof of home ownership
      • Current rental or time-share agreement for six months or more
      • Current real property tax assessment form
      • U.S. tax return, W-2 or 1099 from the previous year, or a Hawaii tax return or HW-2 from the last two years
      • Hawaii public assistance letter or card (dated not more than 90 days ago)
      • Medical card from a health insurer with your name and address
      • Receipt for personal property taxes paid
      • Stamped Department of Taxation form A-6 (Tax Clearance Application)
      • Shelter address or post office general delivery (for homeless applicants)

  2. Check your documents

    Honolulu publishes the REAL ID document list and an interactive Documents Guide; Kauai links the same list. On Hawaii Island and Maui, check your county's page for its list.

    Acceptable documents list (honolulu.gov, PDF) ↗

  3. Fill out the application

    Download and complete the driver's license or state ID application and mark that you want the card to be your REAL ID.

    REAL ID page with application forms (honolulu.gov) ↗

  4. Book an AlohaQ appointment

    Book a driver's license or state ID appointment at a Driver Licensing Center. For a renewal or duplicate, U.S. citizens and green card holders can also book the Downtown, Hawaii Kai, Pearlridge or Windward City Satellite City Hall; everyone else must use a Driver Licensing Center.

    AlohaQ appointments (honolulu.gov) ↗

  5. Visit the office

    Bring your original or certified documents. Documents can't be mailed in for review ahead of your visit. Staff take a new photo; for a license, expect an eye test, and on Oahu fingerprinting too.

  6. Wait for your card in the mail

    You leave with a temporary paper card that is not accepted for flights. On Oahu the plastic card arrives in 4-5 weeks, so carry a passport if you travel sooner. REAL ID licenses can't be mailed out of state.

Common reasons people get turned away

  • The temporary paper card is not accepted at airport security; only the plastic card is.
  • Notarized copies and faxes are not accepted; bring valid originals or certified copies.
  • Your two address proofs must come from two different entities; two accounts at the same bank count as one.
  • You can hold only one REAL ID card: switching between a license and a state ID means surrendering the other without a refund.

Offices that issue REAL ID

Hawaii DOT says a first REAL ID license must be applied for in person with your documents at the county DMV offices, and links each county's driver's license issuing locations. Agency source.

11 offices in Hawaii
10 other offices that handle licenses

Neither the office's service list nor the agency says these offices issue REAL ID. Call the office before you go.

13 offices where you can't get it

Results show offices that issue REAL ID or may, 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. DMVorganization.org is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.