Get a REAL ID in Maine

Get a Maine REAL ID: apply in person at a BMV branch office or the BMV4ME mobile unit with original documents; if you already have a REAL ID, you may be able to renew it online or at a AAA location.

Your situation

Do you already have a Maine REAL ID license or ID card (with the star)?

A Maine REAL ID has a star on the front. A standard Maine card says it is not intended for federal purposes. You can hold only one REAL ID card: a license or an ID.

No, or I'm not sureYes, and I want to renew or replace it

Are you a U.S. citizen?

YesNo

Is your current legal name different from the name on your identity document?

For example, your birth certificate or passport shows your name before marriage. If you already have a REAL ID, answer Yes only if your name changed after it was issued.

No, it's the sameYes

Update my plan

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Proof of identity, date of birth and U.S. citizenship
     Originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. A birth certificate must be a certified copy on security paper with a raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, and not laminated.
     Accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
     • Certified copy of a birth certificate from a U.S. jurisdiction
     • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545)
     • Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
     • Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
   • Your Social Security number
     You don't need to bring the card, but you must be able to give the number to BMV staff.
     Accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Your Social Security number (card not required)
     • Evidence that you are not eligible for a Social Security number
   • Two proofs of Maine residence · 2 different documents
     Originals with your name and Maine residential address. A P.O. box is not accepted.
     Accepted documents (bring 2)

     • Maine driver's license or ID
     • Property tax bill or deed
     • Maine vehicle registration or title
     • Insurance binder, card or policy
     • Pay stub
     • Utility bill (cable TV, phone, satellite, etc.)
     • Financial statement
     • Maine firearms permit or hunting/fishing license
     • School transcript or report card
     • Lien or lease agreement (auto or property)
     • Tax return or W-2
     • Home services contract
     • Two Residency Affidavits (Form MVL-17)
     • DHHS Compliance

2. Check your documents

   Use the BMV's REAL ID checklist to see which originals to bring. Copies of your documents are scanned and kept on file.

   REAL ID checklist (PDF) ↗

3. Book a branch appointment (optional)

   Schedule a branch appointment online to skip the line. The BMV4ME mobile unit takes walk-ups only: take a ticket at the kiosk at the rear of the unit.

   Schedule an appointment ↗

4. Visit a BMV branch or the mobile unit

   Bring your documents and have your photo taken. The Springvale branch is closed for up to six months from November 20, 2026; check the branch list and the mobile unit schedule. At the mobile unit, arrive early: it may stop issuing tickets when busy, and cards are mailed with an expected arrival of up to 4 weeks.

   Find your local branch ↗

Common reasons people get turned away

• Going to a AAA location for a first REAL ID: AAA can't issue one.
• A birth certificate that is not a certified copy, or one that is laminated.
• A P.O. box instead of a residential address on your proofs of residence.
• A name change without documents that show a clear trail from the name on your identity document to your current name.

Offices that issue REAL ID

The Maine BMV says a first REAL ID must be applied for in person at a BMV branch office or mobile unit, so AAA locations can't issue one; since November 13, 2025 AAA locations can renew a REAL ID if you meet certain criteria. Agency source.

17 offices in Maine

• Augusta BMV Branch Augusta ✓ Office type issues it
• Bangor BMV Branch Bangor ✓ Office type issues it
• BMV4ME Mobile Unit – Belfast Belfast ✓ Office type issues it
• Calais BMV Branch Calais ✓ Office type issues it
• Caribou BMV Branch Caribou ✓ Office type issues it
• BMV4ME Mobile Unit – Dover-Foxcroft Dover-Foxcroft ✓ Office type issues it
• Ellsworth BMV Branch Ellsworth ✓ Office type issues it
• BMV4ME Mobile Unit – Houlton Houlton ✓ Office type issues it
• Kennebunk BMV Branch Kennebunk ✓ Office type issues it
• Lewiston BMV Branch Lewiston ✓ Office type issues it
• BMV4ME Mobile Unit – Machias Machias ✓ Office type issues it
• Portland BMV Branch Portland ✓ Office type issues it
• Rockland BMV Branch Rockland ✓ Office type issues it
• Rumford BMV Branch Rumford ✓ Office type issues it
• Scarborough BMV Branch Scarborough ✓ Office type issues it
• Springvale BMV Branch Springvale ✓ Office type issues it
• Topsham BMV Branch Topsham ✓ Office type issues it

8 offices where you can't get it

• AAA Auburn (limited BMV services) Auburn ✕ Not here
• AAA Augusta (limited BMV services) Augusta ✕ Not here
• AAA Bangor (limited BMV services) Bangor ✕ Not here
• AAA Biddeford (limited BMV services) Biddeford ✕ Not here
• AAA Brunswick (limited BMV services) Brunswick ✕ Not here
• AAA Portland (limited BMV services) Portland ✕ Not here
• AAA South Portland (limited BMV services) South Portland ✕ Not here
• AAA Waterville (limited BMV services) Waterville ✕ Not here

Find a nearby office by city or ZIP

Search

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

Read more

• Maine driver license and ID card: first license, renewal, replacement and REAL ID
• REAL ID explained: what changed and which ID you need to fly

Sources · checked October 30, 2026

• Real ID (Maine BMV)
• REAL ID Driver License or Identification Card Checklist, MVL-9 (Maine BMV, PDF)
• Find Your Local Branch (Maine BMV)
• BMV4ME mobile unit FAQs (Maine BMV, PDF)
• Driver's License & ID Card Renewal online service (Maine BMV)
• Maine BMV online appointment scheduler

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.