How long does it take to process a REAL ID and are appointments required in each state?
Executive summary
Processing times for REAL ID credentials vary widely by state: some states report mail turnaround of about 10–15 days (Missouri) or roughly two weeks (California), while others faced backlogs of 70+ days during peak demand (Minnesota) [1] [2] [3]. Appointment rules also differ by jurisdiction—some states require appointments for in‑person verification (Massachusetts), others allow walk‑ins (Massachusetts RMV also accepts walk‑ins in some cases) or have moved to appointment‑only systems (Colorado) and many states urge scheduling to avoid long waits [4] [5] [6].
1. Real ID processing times: short windows, long backlogs
State-issued estimates show processing can be quick when demand is low: Missouri warns applicants to “allow time for processing and mailing (typically 10–15 days)” [1]; California outlets reported a best‑case mail turnaround of about two weeks after completing in‑person steps [2]. But states under surge pressure experienced much longer waits: Minnesota warned that processing times had stretched to “more than 70 days” amid a rush for compliant credentials [3]. National reporting and DHS rulemaking also tied the extension of enforcement to states’ need for more time to process applications, underscoring that state capacity—not federal policy—largely determines how long you’ll wait [7] [8].
2. Why times vary so much: mail vs. in‑person verification and staffing
The clock on a REAL ID includes several steps that differ by state: online pre‑application, in‑person document verification, card production and mailing. Some states complete verification and then mail a card within days; others, facing large volumes or extra document checks, take weeks to produce and ship the physical credential [1] [2]. Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety attributed its 70+ day metric to an increased demand load and explained that pre‑verifying documents correctly can speed processing but that incorrect or missing paperwork causes repeat visits and delays [3].
3. Appointments: a patchwork of state rules
Appointment requirements are set by each state’s DMV/RMV. Massachusetts specifies you must “make an appointment for an in‑person visit” to get a REAL ID at RMV service centers or participating AAA branches [4]. New Jersey directs applicants to its appointment site and limits conversion appointments, while also offering emergency appointment pathways under narrow circumstances [9] [10]. Conversely, reporting compiled state-by-state shows Colorado mandates appointments, some states accept walk‑ins, and Georgia had relaxed appointment rules—illustrating a national patchwork rather than a single standard [6].
4. Federal deadline increased demand—and created uneven readiness
DHS’s December 2022 extension of enforcement to May 7, 2025, was explicitly intended to give state motor vehicle agencies more time to process applications and clear backlogs; DHS noted states needed more time to “comb through the backlog of applications” [8] [7]. That extension, though helpful, precipitated surges as travelers sought compliant IDs ahead of the enforcement date, producing the very long waits and appointment crunches some states reported [7] [3].
5. Practical advice for applicants based on state guidance
States repeatedly advise: check your state DMV’s REAL ID page, pre‑apply online if offered, bring original or certified documents, and schedule an appointment where available to avoid long lines [5] [11] [12]. Massachusetts and other states explicitly require original or certified copies and an in‑person appointment for document verification [4] [5]. Minnesota warns that pre‑application helps only if you bring exact documents; mismatches force re‑visits and slow overall processing [3].
6. Conflicting perspectives and limits of available reporting
Sources agree that processing times and appointment rules differ by state and that demand spikes lengthen waits; they disagree on uniformity—some official sites and outlets emphasize predictable short mail times (10–15 days in Missouri; two weeks in parts of California), while state press advisories document multi‑month backlogs in others [1] [2] [3]. Available sources do not mention a single federal mandate forcing every state to require appointments; rather, appointment policy is a state decision [6] [4] [9].
Bottom line: expect a highly variable experience. If you need a REAL ID soon, consult your state DMV’s REAL ID page immediately, gather original documents exactly as listed, and schedule an appointment where offered—these practical steps are the only consistent way the available reporting shows to shorten both verification and mailing delays [4] [3] [2].