Remember REAL ID? In case you have forgotten, REAL ID is a federal identification card that shows you have met minimum security standards. After years of delays and postponements, effective May 7, 2025, every US resident, 18 years and older, must have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license (passport or military ID) to fly domestically, enter secure federal buildings, or visit military installations. This requirement, established by the REAL ID Act of 2005, aims to enhance security standards for state-issued identification documents.
Not sure if your drivers license qualifies? Here’s how to check:
All REAL ID licences have the gold star in the upper right corner of the license. If yours does not, and you are planning on flying domestically, here’s what you will need to do before May 7, 2025.
How to obtain a REAL ID in South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) provides several options for obtaining a REAL ID:
- In-person: Visit a SCDMV branch with the necessary documentation and purchase a REAL ID.
- Online renewal: If eligible, you can renew your license and obtain a REAL ID online.
Required Documentation
To obtain a REAL ID, you must provide the following original documents to the SCDMV:
- Proof of Identity (e.g., government-issued birth certificate or unexpired US passport)
- Proof of Legal Name (e.g., marriage license, divorce decree, US passport)
- Two proofs of current, physical South Carolina address (e.g., utility bill, pay stub)
- Proof of Social Security Number
A complete list of accepted documents can be found on the SCDMV website.
Cost
A REAL ID costs $25, the same as a standard driver’s license. Identification cards are free for individuals 17 and older and $15 for those 16 and under.
REAL ID Expiration
REAL ID licenses are valid for eight years.
More Information
For more information on obtaining a REAL ID in South Carolina, visit the SCDMV website
Safe travels!
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: SCDMV)