To obtain a the federally compliant “REAL ID” driver license or identification card you will need documentation showing United States citizenship or lawful presence as required by federal law. Lawful presence means that a person is legally living in the United States according to federal immigration laws.
US Citizens
- Unexpired US Passport or Passport Card
- US Birth Certificate or Birth Certification Card filed with a state office of vital statistics
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the US Department of State
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of US Citizenship
Items listed below are required to establish lawful presence and/or US duration of stay which will determine the expiration date of the REAL ID DL/ID that is issued.
Non-US Citizens
- Visa A Status: I-94 w/ State Department eligibility Letter
- Visa E Status: I-94
- Visa F Status: I-94 and Form I-20
- Visa G Status: I-94 w/ State Department eligibility Letter
- Visa H Status: I-94 and Form I-797
- Visa I Status: I-94
- Visa J Status: I-94 and DS-2019
- Visa K Status: I-94 or Form I-797
- Visa L Status: I-94
- Visa M Status: I-94 and Form I-20
- Visa NATO Status: I-94
- Visa O Status: I-94
- Visa P Status: I-94
- Visa Q Status: I-94
- Visa R Status: I-94
- Visa S Status: I-94
- Visa TN Status: I-94
- Visa T Status: I-94
- Visa U Status: I-94
- Visa V Status: I-94 or Form I-797
- Asylee Status: I-94 stamped Asylee, Asylum Approval Letter, DHS Approved Asylee Letter, or Court Approved Letter
- Citizens of the Freely Associated States (Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau): I-94
- Unexpired Permanent Resident Card
- Refugee Status: I-94 stamped Refugee, Refugee Approval Letter, DHS Approved Refugee Letter, or Court Approved Letter
- USCIS Notice of Action, Form I-797, reflecting you have applied for a new, renew or adjusted status
A DC REAL ID driver license and identification card are valid for up to 8 years for US citizens. The length of time they are valid may vary for non-US citizens depending on their Visa classification and duration of stay. Therefore, immigration documentation must be resubmitted upon renewal for non-US citizens. If you are issued a REAL ID credential that has a modified expiration date that is less than 8 years, the credential will be marked “Limited-Term.” Documents that are altered, counterfeit, torn, laminated, erased, whited out, etc., are not originals and are not accepted by DC DMV.