How Much Is a REAL ID? Cost in Every State
How much is a REAL ID? In 36 of the 50 states and DC it costs the same as a standard license, so getting one at your normal renewal adds nothing. 12 states charge more, from $2.50 in Kentucky to $30 in Oregon and Pennsylvania, and more for Washington's enhanced license. The real cost is in timing: upgrading before your renewal date usually means paying a duplicate fee.
No REAL ID yet and a flight coming up? TSA ConfirmID is a $45 fallback for each 10-day period, and TSA does not guarantee it will work. The calculator below compares that with your state's fee to upgrade now. How ConfirmID works.
What the calculator assumes
- Not everyone needs ConfirmID. If you have a valid passport, passport card or other TSA-accepted ID, enter 0: you need neither option.
- ConfirmID is $45 for each separate 10-day period, from the travel date on the receipt. You choose how many periods to count; we do not guess how often you fly.
- The upgrade figure is the fee your state publishes for getting a REAL ID before your license is due for renewal. It comes from the state table on this page. Where a state publishes no single figure, the comparison shows as not available instead of using another fee.
- County office fees, card payment fees and travel to the office are not included unless the state's figure includes them.
- The two options are compared, never added together. A REAL ID lasts until your card expires; ConfirmID covers 10 days and may not work.
- If your renewal is coming up anyway, getting the REAL ID then usually costs nothing beyond the renewal fee in the states that do not charge extra.
Does a REAL ID cost more than a regular license?
Usually not. A REAL ID is the same license with a star, issued after you prove who you are and where you live in person. Most states charge one fee for both versions. These 12 do not:
- Extra on every card (8 states): Alaska ($20), Arizona ($0 to $15, by age), Kentucky ($2.50 (4 years) / $5 (8 years)), Maine ($25 under 65 / $20 at 65+), Montana ($25 ($25.75 with admin fees)), New Hampshire ($10), New Jersey ($11), Oregon ($30).
- Extra the first time only: Pennsylvania ($30), Virginia ($10).
- Extra, but how often is not stated: West Virginia ($10).
- Washington has no star card. Its enhanced license, which costs $42 (6 years) / $56 (8 years) more, is the only compliant license it issues.
Hawaii, Oklahoma, South Dakota do not publish whether a REAL ID costs extra, so we leave that blank instead of assuming. In Maryland, Mississippi, Utah, Wyoming, every license issued is already a REAL ID.
A commercial driver's license can carry the star too, and a few states price that version separately: Kentucky, Maine and Montana list their own REAL ID CDL fees. See REAL ID fees for commercial driver's licenses by state.
REAL ID vs enhanced driver's license
An enhanced driver's license (EDL) is a different card. It works as a REAL ID for domestic flights. For US citizens it has a second use: New York's DMV, for example, says its enhanced license can be used instead of a passport to return to the US by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries, but not for flights between them (NY DMV). It costs more, and only a few states sell one: Michigan (+$20), Minnesota (+$15), New York (+$30), Vermont (+$36). In those states the EDL price is shown on its own and is not part of the REAL ID cost. If you only fly within the US, the plain REAL ID is enough.
Washington is the exception. It does not issue a star card at all, so its enhanced license is the REAL ID option there, and the table shows its EDL fee in the REAL ID column.
REAL ID fees in all 50 states and DC
Every figure was read on the state agency's own page, form or statute on November 4, 2026. Where a state does not publish a figure, the cell says Not published by the state: we could not find it on that agency's fee or REAL ID pages, and we do not fill the gap with a different fee. Some fees vary by age or term, and county offices can add a small service charge. Search, filter or sort the table below.
Showing all 51.
| State | Standard license | REAL ID license or renewal | Extra REAL ID charge | Upgrade before renewal | State ID card | Enhanced license | Valid for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36.25 | $36.25 (Class D renewal) | $0 | $31.25 | $36.25 | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | ALEA STAR ID FAQ ALEA STAR ID news releaseChecked |
| Alaska | $20 | $40 (new or renewal) | $20Every time a card is issued or renewed | Not published by the state | $35 REAL ID / $15 standard | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | Alaska DMV license feesChecked |
| Arizona | $10 to $25 by age | $25 (Travel ID) | $0 to $15, by ageEvery time a card is issued or renewed | Not published by the state | $25 Travel ID / $12 standard | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | ADOT MVD driver license feesChecked |
| Arkansas | Not published by the state | $40 (8 years) | $0 | $10 | $5 | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | DFA: REAL ID at all Revenue Offices DFA identification cardsChecked |
| California | $46 | $46 | $0 | Not published by the state | $40 | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | California DMV licensing feesChecked |
| Colorado | $36 (CRCSA license, a separate program) | $34 (renewal) | $0 | Not published by the state | $14 under 60; free at 60+ | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | Colorado DMV state feesChecked |
| Connecticut | $72 (6 years) / $96 (8 years) | $72 (6 years) / $96 (8 years) | $0 | $30 | $24 (6 years) / $32 (8 years) | No enhanced license offered | 6 or 8 years | CT DMV: get a REAL IDChecked |
| Delaware | $50 (8 years) | $50 (8 years, new or renewal) | $0 | $20 | $40 | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | Delaware DMV secureID FAQ Delaware DMV feesChecked |
| District of Columbia | $47 (8 years) | $47 (8 years, first or renewal) | $0 | Not published by the state | $20 (8 years); free at 65+ | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | DC DMV driver license fees DC DMV REAL ID FAQsChecked |
| Florida | $48 | $48 | $0 | Not published by the state | $25 | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | FLHSMV feesChecked |
| Georgia | $32 (8 years) | $32 (8 years) | $0 | $10 | $32 (8 years) | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | Georgia DDS fees and terms Georgia DDS REAL ID FAQsChecked |
| Hawaii | Not published by the state | $40 for 8 years on Kauai; other counties not published | Not published by the state | Hawaii County $6, Kauai $10, Maui $12; Honolulu not published | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | 8 years on Kauai; other counties not published | HDOT driver licensing Hawaii County duplicate license Kauai County fee chart Maui County DMVChecked |
| Idaho | $35 (4 years) / $60 (8 years) | $35 (4 years) / $60 (8 years) | $0 | Not published by the state | $15 (4 years) / $25 (8 years) | No enhanced license offered | 4 or 8 years (age 21+) | ITD Star Card FAQ ITD identification cardsChecked |
| Illinois | $30 (ages 21 to 68) | $30 (ages 21 to 68) | $0 | $5 | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | Illinois SOS basic fees Illinois REAL ID FAQChecked |
| Indiana | $17.50 (under 75) | $17.50 (under 75) | $0 (no REAL ID line in the fee chart) | Not published by the state | $9; free if 18+, a citizen and an eligible voter | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | Indiana BMV fee chart Indiana BMV REAL ID overviewChecked |
| Iowa | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $0 | $10 | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | Iowa DOT REAL ID FAQs Iowa DOT lost or stolen licenseChecked |
| Kansas | $26 (renewal, ages 21 to 64) | $26 (renewal, ages 21 to 64) | $0 | $8 | $22 (under 65) | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | Kansas REAL ID FAQ Kansas license fee chartChecked |
| Kentucky | $21.50 (4 years) / $43 (8 years) | $24 (4 years) / $48 (8 years) | $2.50 (4 years) / $5 (8 years)Every time a card is issued or renewed | $15 | REAL ID $14 / $28; standard $11.50 / $23 | No enhanced license offered | 4 or 8 years | Kentucky REAL ID pricing Kentucky REAL ID FAQsChecked |
| Louisiana | $32.25 (Class E renewal) | $32.25 (Class E renewal) | $0 | Not published by the state | $18 (renewal) | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | Louisiana OMV REAL ID Louisiana OMV FAQsChecked |
| Maine | $30 (6 years, under 65) | $55 (6 years, under 65) | $25 under 65 / $20 at 65+Every time a card is issued or renewed | $30 | $30 (REAL ID) | No enhanced license offered | 6 years under 65; 4 years at 65+ | Maine BMV REAL ID Maine BMV license feesChecked |
| Maryland | None: every license is a REAL ID | $64 (8-year renewal) | $0 | Not published by the state | $40 | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | MVA license and ID fees MVA renew a license or IDChecked |
| Massachusetts | $50 (renewal) | $50 (renewal) | $0 at renewal | $25 | $25 (Mass ID renewal) | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | Mass.gov REAL ID in MassachusettsChecked |
| Michigan | $18 (renewal) | $18 (renewal) | $0 | $9 license / $10 ID | $10 (renewal) | +$20 at renewal ($38 total) | 4 years | Michigan SOS REAL ID Michigan SOS license or ID renewalChecked |
| Minnesota | $46 (Class D) / $41 (renewal) | $46 (Class D) / $41 (renewal) | $0 | Not published by the state | $35.50 (under 65) | +$15 | Not published by the state | Minnesota DVS license and ID fees Minn. Stat. 171.06Checked |
| Mississippi | None: every license is a REAL ID | $24 (4 years) / $47 (8 years) | $0 | Not needed: every card is already a REAL ID | $17 (4 years) / $33 (8 years) | No enhanced license offered | 4 or 8 years | Mississippi DPS driver service feesChecked |
| Missouri | $16.50 (3 years) / $33 (6 years) | $16.50 (3 years) / $33 (6 years) | $0 | $9 or $18 | $24 | No enhanced license offered | 3 or 6 years | Missouri DOR REAL ID Missouri DOR fee chartChecked |
| Montana | $62.32 (12 years) | $67.47 (8 years) | $25 ($25.75 with admin fees)Every time a card is issued or renewed | $35.30 | $42.23 REAL ID / $17 standard | No enhanced license offered | REAL ID 8 years; standard up to 12 years | Montana MVD REAL ID Montana MVD licensing fees Montana Driver Manual 05.26Checked |
| Nebraska | $29 (5 years, with the $5 security fee) | $29 (5 years, with the $5 security fee) | $0 (no REAL ID line in the fee table) | Not published by the state | Free for U.S. citizens | No enhanced license offered | 5 years | Nebraska DMV driver license Nebraska DMV state ID cardChecked |
| Nevada | $41.50 (8 years) | $41.50 (8 years, new or renewal) | $0 when added during another transaction | $8.50 license / $7.50 ID | $21.50 (8 years, ages 18 to 64) | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | Nevada DMV REAL ID Nevada DMV license feesChecked |
| New Hampshire | $50 | $60 | $10Every time a card is issued or renewed | $10 | $20 | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | NH DMV licensing fees NH DMV REAL IDChecked |
| New Jersey | $24 | $35 | $11Every time a card is issued or renewed | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | NJ MVC REAL ID FAQ NJ MVC license feesChecked |
| New Mexico | $18 (4 years) / $34 (8 years) | $18 (4 years) / $34 (8 years) | $0 (one fee schedule for both) | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | 4 or 8 years | NM MVD licenses and IDs NM MVD REAL IDChecked |
| New York | $64.50 (8 years, Class D) | $64.50 (8 years, Class D) | $0 | Priced by the 6-month periods left on your license | Not published by the state | +$30 | 8 years | NY DMV enhanced or REAL ID NY DMV renew a licenseChecked |
| North Carolina | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $0 | $16.75 | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | NCDMV REAL IDChecked |
| North Dakota | $15 | $15 (license or renewal) | $0 (no REAL ID line on the form) | $8 | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | NDDOT driver license NDDOT replace a license NDDOT form SFN 06763Checked |
| Ohio | $27.50 (4 years) / $54 (8 years), first license | $30.25 (4 years) / $59.40 (8 years), renewal | $0 | Not published by the state | Free at 17+ or if permanently disabled; otherwise $13 (4 years) / $25 (8 years) | No enhanced license offered | 4 or 8 years | Ohio BMV fees Ohio BMV REAL IDChecked |
| Oklahoma | Not published by the state | $38.50 (4 years) / $77 (8 years), renewal | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $25 (4 years) / $50 (8 years), REAL ID or not | No enhanced license offered | 4 or 8 years | Service Oklahoma REAL ID checklist Service Oklahoma state IDChecked |
| Oregon | $64 new / $54 renewal (8 years) | $94 new / $84 renewal (8 years) | $30Every time a card is issued or renewed | $60 | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | Oregon DMV driver informationChecked |
| Pennsylvania | $39.50 | $69.50 the first time ($30 + $39.50) | $30One time only | $30 plus the renewal fee ($69.50) | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | PennDOT REAL ID PennDOT REAL ID FAQsChecked |
| Rhode Island | $73.50 (5-year renewal) | $73.50 (5-year renewal) | $0 within 90 days of renewal | $28.50 | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | 5 years (under 71) | RI DMV REAL ID RI DMV license fees R.I. Gen. Laws 31-10-31Checked |
| South Carolina | $25 (8 years) | $25 (8 years) | $0 | $25 | Free at 17+; $15 ages 5 to 16 | No enhanced license offered | Up to 8 years | SCDMV fees SCDMV identification cards SCDMV: REAL ID one month awayChecked |
| South Dakota | $38 | $38 (license fee; no REAL ID line) | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $38 | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | SD DPS license and ID feesChecked |
| Tennessee | $28 (8 years) | $28 (8 years) | $0 | $8 | $12 (8 years, 18+) | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | Tennessee REAL ID Tennessee driver license feesChecked |
| Texas | $33 (8 years) | $33 (8 years) | $0 | Not published by the state | $16 (59 and under) | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | Texas DPS driver license feesChecked |
| Utah | None: every license is a REAL ID | $52 (21+, new or renewal) | $0 | Not published by the state | $23 (5 years) | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | Utah DLD feesChecked |
| Vermont | $39 (2 years) / $62 (4 years) | $39 (2 years) / $62 (4 years) | $0 | Not published by the state | $29 (4 years) | +$36 | 2 or 4 years | Vermont DMV feesChecked |
| Virginia | $32 (8 years) | $42 the first time ($32 + $10) | $10One time only | Not published by the state | $2 per year | No enhanced license offered | 8 years | Virginia DMV REAL ID FAQ Virginia DMV fee form DMV 201Checked |
| Washington | $61 (6 years) / $81 (8 years) | $103 (6 years) / $137 (8 years), enhanced license renewal | $42 (6 years) / $56 (8 years)Every time a card is issued or renewed | $7 per year left on your license | $61 / $81 standard; $103 / $137 enhanced ID | The enhanced license is the REAL ID option (see REAL ID fee) | 6 or 8 years | WA DOL driver licensing fees WA DOL REAL IDChecked |
| West Virginia | $5 per year | $5 per year plus $10 | $10How often: not published by the state | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | Runs to your next birthday at an age divisible by 5 | WV DMV license and renewal feesChecked |
| Wisconsin | $34 (typical renewal) | $34 (typical renewal) | $0 | $14 | Not published by the state | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | WisDOT REAL ID WisDOT news release, May 7, 2026Checked |
| Wyoming | None: every license is a REAL ID | $45 new / $35 renewal | $0 | Not needed: every card is already a REAL ID | $10 | No enhanced license offered | Not published by the state | WYDOT: licenses and IDs are REAL ID compliantChecked |
TSA rules and ConfirmID, the $45 option
TSA began enforcing REAL ID on May 7, 2025. Adults at an airport checkpoint now need a REAL ID or another accepted document, such as a U.S. passport or passport card, a state enhanced license, an approved mobile driver's license or a trusted traveler card. Children under 18 do not need ID for flights within the US.
If you turn up without any of these, TSA ConfirmID is the fallback. It launched on February 1, 2026, and works like this:
- It costs $45, paid online through pay.gov. Cash is not taken.
- One payment covers 10 days, counted from the travel date on your receipt. A round trip inside those 10 days needs one payment; two trips a month apart need two.
- It is not a guarantee. TSA tries to confirm who you are from other information. It says this takes 10 to 15 minutes on average but can take 30 minutes or more, and that there is no guarantee it can do so.
- Keep the confirmation email. TSA says that if you did not get one, you may have to pay again.
Source: TSA REAL ID, ConfirmID FAQs, About ConfirmID and accepted identification, read November 4, 2026.
REAL ID cost questions
Can I use a passport instead of a REAL ID?
Yes. TSA accepts a valid U.S. passport or passport card at the checkpoint in place of a REAL ID, along with a state enhanced license, approved mobile driver's licenses and trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry. If you already carry one of these when you fly, you do not need a REAL ID or ConfirmID for that trip.
How much does it cost to renew a REAL ID?
In most states, renewing a REAL ID costs the same as renewing a standard license. The states that charge more every time are Alaska ($20), Arizona ($0 to $15, by age), Kentucky ($2.50 (4 years) / $5 (8 years)), Maine ($25 under 65 / $20 at 65+), Montana ($25 ($25.75 with admin fees)), New Hampshire ($10), New Jersey ($11), Oregon ($30). In Washington the enhanced license, its only REAL ID option, costs $42 (6 years) / $56 (8 years) more at each renewal. Pennsylvania ($30) and Virginia ($10) charge their extra fee only the first time, and West Virginia does not say whether its $10 repeats.
How much is a REAL ID upgrade before my license expires?
It depends on the state, and 21 states and DC do not publish a figure for it, so the table above says so rather than guessing. Where it is published, it is usually the duplicate or replacement fee: $8 in Kansas, North Dakota and Tennessee, $10 in Georgia, Iowa and New Hampshire, $15 in Kentucky, $30 in Connecticut and Maine, and $35.30 in Montana. Pennsylvania charges $30 plus the renewal fee but adds 4 years to your card. In most states, waiting until your normal renewal date costs nothing beyond the renewal fee.
Will TSA accept a temporary paper license?
Do not count on it. Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Wisconsin each tell residents the paper version handed out while the card is mailed is not accepted at TSA checkpoints. Several states mail the card 7 to 20 business days after your visit, so if you fly before it arrives, take a passport or another accepted ID, or be ready to pay for ConfirmID.
Does my child need a REAL ID to fly?
No. TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID on flights within the United States. The adult traveling with them does need a REAL ID or another accepted document. Airlines can set their own rules for unaccompanied minors, so check with yours.
Related: DMV text scams, including fake offers to "speed up" a REAL ID, which can only be issued in person.