ICYMI: Secretary Bellows rolls out online renewal for REAL ID

As Secretary of State, Sec. Bellows has led a massive government modernization process to make life better for Mainers. 

Augusta – Earlier this week, Secretary Bellows launched a new effort to allow Mainers to renew REAL IDs online instead of having to visit the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Secretary of State Bellows has undertaken numerous government modernization projects to improve customer service for Mainers, including appointments at the BMV,  electronic lien and titling and automatic voter registration. As governor, Secretary Bellows will expand her modernization efforts across state government to continue to meet Mainers where they are and make government work better to make life easier for everyone. 

See below for coverage highlights: 

Spectrum News: Amid long lines at the BMV, Maine launches REAL ID online renewal
Susan Cover 11/18/25

• It just got easier to renew your REAL ID. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced Monday that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has expanded online services so Mainers can renew their REAL ID without coming into an office.

Maine Public: BMV launches online service to renew REAL ID

Kaitlyn Budion 11/17/25 

• Bellows said the service had a soft launch on Wednesday, and its first user logged in at 3:23 a.m. Thursday. Bellows said when staff reached out, they learned that the user was a shift worker.

• "She had just gotten off the night shift needed to renew her REAL ID and was able to do it in minutes instead of going to the BMV motor vehicle branches," Bellows said. "This is what Mainers expect from their government, and we are so proud to be able to launch this new, more modern, efficient service."