Get a REAL ID in Rhode Island

Get a Rhode Island REAL ID (gold circle with a white star): the documents to bring, the in-person reservation, what it costs and where to go.

Online?No, one office visitYour first REAL ID must be applied for in person with original documents; a license or ID can't be upgraded to REAL ID online.
Office visitBy reservationDMV offices that handle licenses and IDs are open by reservation only, and AAA offices require appointments too.
CostNo extra feeREAL ID costs the same as a standard license or ID if you get it within 90 days of your renewal date. A 5-year license renewal is $73.50.
You leave withTemporary paper credentialYour REAL ID card arrives in the mail several weeks after you apply.

Your situation

Do you have a Rhode Island license or ID card?
Are you a U.S. citizen?
Is your name different from the one on your birth certificate or passport?

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport (Got or renewed it in the last 6 months? Bring another identity document too, as it may not verify yet)
      • Certified copy of a birth certificate (Filed with the vital records office (or RI city or town hall) in your state of birth)
      • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545)
      • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570)
      • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
    • Accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Your Social Security number
      • SSA letter saying you are not eligible for a number
    • Accepted documents (bring 2)
      • Utility bill dated within 60 days (Gas, electric, phone, cable, oil, water, sewer, satellite, heat or cell phone; it may be in the name of an immediate family member)
      • Personal check or bank statement dated within 60 days
      • Payroll check dated within 60 days
      • Current lease agreement (Must show the landlord's name, address and phone number; handwritten leases are not accepted)
      • Benefits approval letter from a Rhode Island state or federal agency, dated within 60 days
      • Current homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
      • Current car insurance policy
      • Property tax bill from last year
      • Letter from a Rhode Island shelter or halfway house (On letterhead, dated within 30 days, with an administrator's contact information)
      • Jury duty summons dated within 60 days
      • W-2 from last year
      • Current installment loan contract (For example a car or student loan)
      • Current Social Security Administration statement
      • Current pension or retirement account statement
      • Current Rhode Island firearms permit
      • Valid Rhode Island driver's license or ID card
      • For minors: a school record from the current school year (Report card, diploma, transcript or ID card with the student's address)
      • For minors: the Rhode Island license or ID of the adult signing the application

  2. Check the document list

    Bring the original documents on the DMV's REAL ID list; photocopies are not accepted. You need them even if you've had a Rhode Island license or ID for many years.

    REAL ID documents list (PDF) on dmv.ri.gov ↗

  3. Make a DMV reservation

    Book online under "All Other Reservations" (this covers licenses, state IDs and REAL ID). License and ID transactions can be done at any DMV branch or the Cranston headquarters, all open by reservation only. Don't use online renewal: it can't upgrade you to REAL ID. Online renewals also don't produce a paper temporary with your photo.

    Make a reservation on dmv.ri.gov ↗

  4. Or go to AAA if you're a member

    AAA members who are U.S. citizens can also get a REAL ID at a Rhode Island AAA branch when renewing or updating a license or ID; AAA doesn't do first licenses or new ID cards. Appointments are required at all AAA locations: book through the AAA link on the DMV's locations page. The DMV says to bring a completed LI-1 form for license and ID transactions there.

    AAA locations and booking link on dmv.ri.gov ↗

  5. At the office

    You get a temporary paper license or ID showing that you applied for REAL ID. The card arrives in the mail several weeks later. After your first REAL ID, you can renew online on the standard schedule.

Common reasons people get turned away

  • A REAL ID from another state can't be converted: you must bring all the Rhode Island documents.
  • Got or renewed your passport in the last 6 months? Bring a second identity document, as the passport may not verify yet.
  • Bills, bank statements, pay checks, benefit letters and jury summonses must be dated within the last 60 days; P.O. box addresses are not accepted.
  • Online renewal can't upgrade a license or ID to REAL ID; you must appear in person.

Offices that issue REAL ID

You must get a REAL ID in a DMV office (any DMV branch or the Cranston headquarters, by reservation); AAA members who are U.S. citizens may also get one at Rhode Island AAA branch offices when renewing or updating a license or ID, by appointment (AAA does not issue first licenses or new ID cards). Agency source.

4 offices in Rhode Island
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.

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