How to Get a State ID in Maine: REAL ID, Documents, and Fees

To get a state ID in Maine, visit a Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch in person with proof of your identity, proof of your Maine address, and your Social Security number. A standard non-driver ID costs $5 and a REAL ID version costs $30, and either card stays valid for six years.¹²

Decide Between a Standard ID and a REAL ID First

Before you gather paperwork, pick the card that matches how you plan to use it. Since May 7, 2025, federal rules require a REAL ID-compliant card to board a domestic flight, enter most federal buildings, or access a military installation.³ A standard Maine ID still works for everyday needs like cashing checks, proving your age, or opening a bank account, but TSA will not accept it at the airport unless you also carry a passport or another federally approved document.

The visible difference is a star in the upper-right corner of the REAL ID card.⁴ Both are issued at the same BMV branches, but the documents you must bring, and the fee you pay, are different.

Documents to Bring

Bringing the wrong paperwork is the most common reason people leave the counter empty-handed. Check your pile against the list for the card you want before you drive to the branch.

Standard State ID

For identity, bring two documents. One must show your date of birth and the other must carry your written signature. Acceptable items include a birth certificate, passport, Social Security card, military ID, baptismal record, school transcript, or marriage certificate, among others.⁵

For residency, bring one document showing your physical Maine address, such as a utility bill, tax bill, paycheck stub, signed lease, Maine vehicle registration, or W-2. A P.O. Box is not enough.⁶

You also need to provide your Social Security number. You do not have to bring the card itself, just the number.⁷ Non-citizens without a Social Security number must supply evidence of ineligibility instead.

REAL ID

REAL ID requirements are stricter. You need one document that proves your identity, date of birth, and U.S. citizenship or lawful status together. In practice that means a certified birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport. A birth certificate must be an official copy on security paper with a raised or embossed seal, and it cannot be laminated.⁷

Residency requires two separate documents rather than one, drawn from the same list of acceptable proofs.⁶ Your Social Security number is also required. Every document must be an original or a certified copy issued by the agency that produced it. Photocopies and digital images will not be accepted.⁷

If Your Name Has Changed

If your current legal name does not match the name on your identity document, bring proof of each name change linking the two. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or certified court order will bridge the gap.⁷ REAL ID examiners are especially strict about an unbroken paper trail.

Applying at a BMV Branch

First-time applicants must apply in person at a BMV branch. Locations and hours are listed on the Secretary of State’s website.⁸ The mobile units that used to travel around the state are currently closed.

At the counter you turn in the completed application form (MV-16) with your original documents.⁹ The clerk reviews everything, takes your photograph, and captures a digital signature that will appear on the card.¹ If any document is missing or does not meet standards, you will be turned away, so bring more proof than you think you need.

Once you are approved, you leave with a temporary paper ID. The permanent plastic card arrives by mail, typically within two to three weeks, sent to the address on your application.

Fees and How Long the Card Lasts

BMV branches accept cash, checks, and major credit cards. Both cards expire on your sixth birthday after the issue date.²

Who Can Apply

Maine sets no minimum age for a non-driver ID. Under Title 29-A, Section 1410, the Secretary of State issues the card to anyone who can show they live in Maine and are legally present in the United States.² Minors can apply, but a parent or legal guardian has to come to the BMV in person and verify their own identity before the card will be issued.⁹

If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, your card expires on the date your authorized stay ends or six years out, whichever comes first, and it must be valid for at least 120 days.²

Renewals and Replacements

When your card is close to expiring, you can renew online or at a branch.¹ Online renewal is available if none of your information has changed; you will need your Social Security number and a credit card, and the new card ships to the address on file.¹⁰ You cannot renew online if you need to change your name, are due for a new photo, or are a non-citizen. AAA locations in Maine can also process straightforward renewals and replacements, though they cannot handle name changes or take new photos.⁸

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order a duplicate online or at a branch. The replacement fee matches the original: $5 for a standard ID, $30 for a REAL ID.¹¹ Maine law also gives you 30 days to notify the Secretary of State after a change to your name or address.¹²

1
Maine.gov. ID: Obtaining an Identification Card
2
Maine State Legislature. Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A, Chapter 11, Section 1410 – Nondriver Identification Cards; Information; Fee
3
TSA. REAL ID
4
USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel
5
Maine.gov. How to Prove Your Identity
6
Maine.gov. How to Prove Maine Residency
7
Maine.gov. Real ID
8
Maine.gov. Find Your Local Branch
9
Maine.gov. Application for State of Maine Identification Card
10
Maine.gov. Maine Driver’s License Renewal – Bureau of Motor Vehicles
11
Maine.gov. Request for Duplicate Driver’s License, Identification Card
12
Maine.gov. Frequently Asked Questions