How to renew your Real ID in Minnesota
You can renew your Minnesota Real ID driver's license or ID card by mail, online, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. The method you choose depends on how much time you have and whether your address or other information has changed. Most people renew by mail or online without visiting an office, though you will need to visit in person if you want to update your photo or if your license has been lost or stolen.
Real ID renewal in Minnesota follows the same basic process as a standard license renewal, but you must provide proof that you still meet Real ID requirements — mainly a valid passport, passport card, or birth certificate. If your documents are already on file from your original Real ID process, you may not need to submit them again.
Key Takeaways
- Mail and online renewal are available if your address hasn't changed and you don't need a new photo, and both take two to three weeks.
- You must provide proof of identity and citizenship for Real ID renewal, usually a passport or birth certificate, though DVS may have your documents on file from your original process.
- In-person renewal at a DVS office takes about 30 minutes and is required if you want to update your photo, change your address, or replace a lost or stolen card.
- Your Real ID remains valid for eight years from the date of issue, and Minnesota sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal is the slowest option but requires no office visit. Minnesota will send you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your Real ID expires. The notice includes a form you fill out, sign, and return with a check or money order for the renewal fee (currently $24.50 for a driver's license, though this amount can change). Do not send cash.
Include a copy of proof of citizenship with your mailed process — a passport, passport card, certified birth certificate, or naturalization papers. If DVS has your documents on file from your original Real ID process, you may be able to skip this step, but the renewal notice will tell you whether proof is required. Mail your completed form and payment to the address shown on the notice. Processing takes two to three weeks after DVS receives your envelope.
Mail renewal works only if your address has not changed. If you have moved, you must renew in person or online.
Renewing online
Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is faster than mail and available 24 hours a day. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, review your information, and pay the renewal fee by debit or credit card. The state then mails your new Real ID card to the address on file.
Online renewal has the same restrictions as mail renewal: your address cannot have changed, and you cannot update your photo. You also cannot renew online if your license is expired by more than five years, if it has been lost or stolen, or if you need to correct information beyond a straightforward address update. The state processes online renewals within two to three weeks.
Before you start an online renewal, have your current driver's license or ID card in front of you. You will need your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in.
Renewing in person at a DVS office
In-person renewal is required if you want a new photo, need to change your address, or are replacing a lost or stolen card. You can also choose in-person renewal if you prefer to handle everything in one visit. Bring your current Real ID, proof of citizenship (passport, passport card, or certified birth certificate), and proof of your current address such as a utility bill or lease.
Visit any Driver and Vehicle Services office in Minnesota. You do not have to go to the office in your county. Bring a completed Form HSMV 82101 (the process for a driver's license or ID card), though many offices have copies available to fill out on site. The office will take your photo, process your payment, and issue your new card on the spot or mail it to you within two to three weeks, depending on the office's procedures.
Wait times at DVS offices vary by location and time of day. Call ahead or check the Secretary of State website to see current wait times at your nearest office. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to book an appointment online first.
What documents you need for Real ID renewal
The core requirement for Real ID renewal is proof of citizenship and identity. Acceptable documents include a valid U.S. passport, passport card, certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card (green card). If you renewed your Real ID within the past few years and DVS has your documents on file, you may not need to submit them again — the renewal notice will specify whether proof is required.
If you are renewing in person and need to change your address, bring a document showing your current address, such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the past 60 days. A government-issued document with your new address, such as a voter registration card or vehicle registration, also works.
If you are renewing by mail or online, your address on file will not change unless you submit a separate address change request to DVS. If you have moved and want your new address on your Real ID, you must renew in person.
Real ID renewal fees and timeline
The renewal fee for a Real ID driver's license in Minnesota is $24.50, and the fee for a Real ID ID card is $16.50. These fees are current but can change, so confirm the amount on the renewal notice or the Secretary of State website before you pay. If you renew by mail, send a check or money order. If you renew online or in person, you can pay by debit card, credit card, or cash (in person only).
Processing time depends on your renewal method. Mail and online renewals take two to three weeks after the state receives your process. In-person renewals may issue your card on the spot, though some offices mail cards within two to three weeks. Your new Real ID will be valid for eight years from the date of issue.
If your Real ID has already expired, you can still renew by mail or in person, but online renewal is not available. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written driving test.
What happens if you miss your renewal important date
If your Real ID expires, you can no longer use it for federal purposes such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. You can still drive with an expired license in Minnesota, but law enforcement can cite you for driving with an expired license, and you cannot use it as identification for air travel or federal facilities.
You can renew an expired Real ID using the same methods as a current one — by mail, online (if expired less than five years), or in person. There is no penalty fee for renewing late, but the sooner you renew, the sooner you can use your new card for federal identification purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Real ID online if I moved to a new address?
No. Online renewal only works if your address has not changed. If you moved, you must renew by mail (and submit a separate address change request to DVS) or renew in person at a DVS office. In-person renewal is the fastest way to update your address on your Real ID.
What if I don't have a passport or birth certificate?
You need one of the accepted citizenship documents to renew your Real ID. Acceptable documents include a passport, passport card, certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card. If you do not have any of these, contact DVS to learn what other documents may work in your situation. You may need to visit an office in person to discuss alternatives.
How long does it take to get my renewed Real ID in the mail?
Mail and online renewals take two to three weeks after DVS receives or processes your process. In-person renewals may issue your card when ready, though some offices mail cards within the same timeframe. If you need your Real ID quickly, renewing in person at a DVS office is usually the fastest option.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew my Real ID?
Only if you renew in person. Mail and online renewals use your existing photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must visit a DVS office in person. You can also choose in-person renewal straightforward to update your photo even if you don't need to change your address or other information.
What if my Real ID was lost or stolen?
You cannot renew a lost or stolen Real ID by mail or online. You must visit a DVS office in person and report the loss or theft. Bring your proof of citizenship, proof of address, and a completed process form. DVS will issue you a replacement card, usually on the spot or within two to three weeks depending on the office.