-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UQbBA8EHSVmM8umeLnCOtSCBYRC/QSlUAIJnzcgzmdVv2TgWWU1G9yFROXJf8RcJ
 hVYNTlYK6uP/TC4cPYPAzw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001042776-03-000004.txt : 20030729
<SEC-HEADER>0001042776-03-000004.hdr.sgml : 20030729
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030729170559
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001042776-03-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030715
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030729

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WELLS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001042776
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OPERATORS OF NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS [6512]
		IRS NUMBER:				582328421
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6200 THE CORNERS PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 250
		CITY:			NORCROSS
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30092
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7704497800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6200 THE CORNERS PKWY
		STREET 2:		STE 250
		CITY:			NORCROSS
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30092

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WOODY W WAYNE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001257240

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25739
		FILM NUMBER:		03809255

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		78 LINDBERGH DR NE
		STREET 2:		NUMBER 80
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30305
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-15</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001042776</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WELLS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>none</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001257240</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WOODY W WAYNE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>78 LINDBERGH DR NE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>NUMBER 80</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30305</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Douglas P. Williams, POA for W. Wayne Woody</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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