We analyze the role of meson exchange currents ͑MECs͒ in photon-and electron-induced one nucleon emission reactions in a fully relativistic model. The relativistic mean-field theory is used for the bound state and the Pauli reduction for the scattering state. Direct one-body and exchange two-body terms in the nuclear current are considered. Results for the 12 C(␥,p) and 16 O(␥,p) differential cross sections and photon asymmetries are displayed in an energy range between 60 and 196 MeV. The two-body seagull current affects the cross section less than in nonrelativistic analyses. In the case of the 16 O(␥,n) differential cross section, MEC effects are large but not sufficient to reproduce the data. MECs have a small effect on (e,eЈp) calculations.