Get a REAL ID in Maryland

Maryland licenses and ID cards meet REAL ID standards: check your card's status online, and if you're new or the MVA asks for documents, bring originals to an MVA branch. The card comes by mail.

Your situation

Do you already have a Maryland driver's license or ID card?

The MVA says Maryland is over 99% compliant with REAL ID. Its REAL ID Check tells you whether your card is compliant.

No, I'm getting my first Maryland cardYes, and the MVA hasn't asked me for documentsYes, but the MVA says I must bring documents

Is your current legal name different from the name on your proof of identity?

No, it's the sameYes

Update my plan

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Proof of age and identity
     Originals or certified copies from the issuing agency; photocopies, scans and pictures are not accepted. Under 18: also bring proof of a parental relationship or that you are a dependent (tax return, health insurance card or policy). 65 or older: a DD-214 alone is enough, or an SSA Benefits Statement plus a U.S. Veteran ID card, baptism certificate, hospital birth certificate or Census record of birth. If the MVA asked you for documents at renewal, your notice or the Online Document Guide says which you need. For other immigration documents, use the MVA's Online Document Guide. If your U.S. stay is temporary, the card is valid only for your lawful-status period and you renew in person.
     Accepted documents (bring 1)

     • U.S. birth certificate
     • U.S. passport
     • Permanent Resident Card
     • Certificate of Naturalization
     • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
     • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
   • Proof of Social Security number
     If the MVA asked you for documents, your renewal notice or the Online Document Guide says which of these groups you need.
     Accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Original Social Security card
     • W-2 or pay stub (with your name and entire SSN)
     • SSA-1099 or non-SSA-1099 (with your name and entire SSN)
   • Two proofs of Maryland residency · 2 different documents
     Each with your name and Maryland address printed on it. The name must match your proof of identity. If the MVA asked you for documents, your renewal notice or the Online Document Guide says which you need.
     Accepted documents (bring 2)

     • Mail or benefits statement from a government agency
     • Bank, financial account or collection agency communications
     • Utility communications about your account
     • Maryland vehicle registration card or vehicle title
     • Insurance card or insurance policy
     • Residential rental contract
     • Mortgage statement or other proof of home ownership
     • Property tax bill or receipt
     • Medical or hospital bill
     • Copy of your federal or Maryland income tax return filing
     • Voter registration card
   • Your out-of-state license or ID card (only if moving from another state) · all that apply
     Skip this if you never held a license or ID in another state. For a driver's license you also need a vision screening within the previous 24 months. You surrender it at your appointment. Without the license card, bring a certified driving record no more than 30 days old.
     Accepted documents

     • Current out-of-state driver's license or ID card

2. Make your document checklist

   The MVA's Online Document Guide builds a checklist of the identity, residency and lawful-status documents to bring.

   Online Document Guide on myMVA ↗

3. Start your application online

   You can start a new license or ID application with myMVA before your visit.

   Start your application on myMVA ↗

4. Make a branch appointment

   Appointments are recommended for branch office visits. If the MVA asked you for documents at renewal, book a renewal appointment.

   Schedule an appointment on myMVA ↗

5. Visit the branch and wait for the mail

   Staff review your documents and take your photo, and you pay the fee. The card is mailed to your address on file in 7-10 business days, so update your address with the MVA first if you've moved.

   Find an MVA branch ↗

Common reasons people get turned away

• Bring originals or certified copies from the issuing agency; photocopies, scans and pictures are not accepted.
• The name on your residency documents must match your proof of identity, and your name must match Social Security's records.
• Cards are mailed, not printed at the branch, and USPS won't forward MVA mail: update your address with the MVA first.
• A noncompliant license or ID (issued without proof of lawful status) can't be used to board federally regulated flights.

Offices that issue REAL ID

The MVA says you apply for a Maryland ID in person at an MVA branch office and schedule driver's license or ID appointments at an MVA branch; licenses and ID cards are mailed rather than printed on-site. Agency source.

24 offices in Maryland

• MVA - Annapolis Annapolis ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Baltimore City Baltimore ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Bel Air Bel Air ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Beltsville Beltsville ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Columbia Columbia ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Cumberland Cumberland ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Easton Easton ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Elkton Elkton ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Essex Essex ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Frederick Frederick ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Gaithersburg Gaithersburg ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Walnut Hill Gaithersburg ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Glen Burnie Glen Burnie ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Hagerstown Hagerstown ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Loveville Leonardtown ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Oakland Oakland ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Parkville Parkville ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Prince Frederick Prince Frederick ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Salisbury Salisbury ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Kemp Mill Silver Spring ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - White Oak Silver Spring ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Largo Upper Marlboro ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Waldorf Waldorf ✓ Office type issues it
• MVA - Westminster Westminster ✓ Office type issues it

18 offices where you can't get it

• Annapolis Vehicle Emissions Testing Annapolis ✕ Not here
• Baltimore City, East Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Baltimore ✕ Not here
• Glen Burnie Vehicle Emissions Testing Baltimore ✕ Not here
• Clinton Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Clinton ✕ Not here
• Columbia Vehicle Emissions Testing Columbia ✕ Not here
• Rockville Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Derwood ✕ Not here
• Elkton Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Elkton ✕ Not here
• Bel Air Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Forest Hill ✕ Not here
• Frederick Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Frederick ✕ Not here
• Grasonville Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Grasonville ✕ Not here
• Hagerstown Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Hagerstown ✕ Not here
• Baltimore City, West Vehicle Emissions Testing Halethorpe ✕ Not here
• Hyattsville Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Hyattsville ✕ Not here
• Owings Mills Vehicle Emissions Testing Owings Mills ✕ Not here
• Prince Frederick Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Prince Frederick ✕ Not here
• Silver Spring Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Silver Spring ✕ Not here
• Waldorf Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Waldorf ✕ Not here
• Westminster Vehicle Emissions Testing Station Westminster ✕ 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

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

Did it work on your first visit?

Tell us after you've been. One anonymous answer, no account, nothing else saved.

Yes, first visitNo

If not, what went wrong?
Choose one (optional)I was missing a documentA document was not acceptedI went to an office that does not issue itI needed an appointmentSomething else

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Sources · checked October 30, 2026

• Licenses & IDs (Maryland MVA)
• Identification (ID) Card (Maryland MVA)
• Get a Maryland Driver's License or ID Card (Maryland MVA)
• Renew a License or ID (Maryland MVA)
• License & ID Fees (Maryland MVA)
• Update Name, Address or Other Info (Maryland MVA)
• Visit a Branch Office or Kiosk (Maryland MVA)
• Appointments & Online Services (Maryland MVA)
• Noncompliant Driver's Licenses & IDs (Maryland MVA)

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.