Get a REAL ID in South Carolina

Get a South Carolina REAL ID: bring original identity documents, your Social Security number and two proofs of your SC address to an SCDMV branch; it costs the same as a standard card.

Your situation

Does your South Carolina license or ID already have a star on it?

A South Carolina REAL ID has a star. A standard card says "Not for Federal Identification". An out-of-state card doesn't count.

No, or I'm not sureYes, it has a star

Are you a U.S. citizen?

People born in a U.S. territory are U.S. citizens.

YesNo, I have a Green Card (permanent resident)No, I'm lawfully present on another status (visa, refugee, asylee, etc.)

Has your name changed since birth?

For example, your birth certificate shows your name before marriage.

No, it's the sameYes

Update my plan

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Proof of identity, U.S. citizenship and date of birth
     Originals or government-issued copies; SCDMV doesn't accept copied or scanned versions. If your birth certificate shows you were born outside the U.S., bring a second document from this list to prove citizenship.
     Accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Certified birth certificate issued by the county or the Vital Records Office (with file or tracking number and the registrar's signature; U.S. territory and delayed birth certificates count)
     • Unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
     • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570)
     • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
     • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
   • Two proofs of your SC address · 2 different documents
     Each with your name and current SC residential address (not a PO Box), both showing the same address, from two different organizations, and issued within the last 9 months.
     Accepted documents (bring 2)

     • SC permit, license, ID or vehicle registration with your current address
     • SC Concealed Weapons Permit, or DNR hunting/fishing license or boat registration
     • Voter registration card (U.S. citizens' checklist only)
     • County tax bill or property tax receipt
     • Income tax return, W-2 or Form 1095-B
     • SC school records (report card, transcript, letter from your school)
     • Social Security check or annual statement
     • Current lease for an apartment, house or car
     • Utility bill, payment receipt or approved service application (water, sewer, gas, electricity, cable, internet or phone)
     • Credit card or bank statement, or signed letter on bank letterhead
     • Mortgage monthly statement or deed
     • Insurance bill, statement or policy from a company licensed in SC (insurance cards are not accepted)
     • Current letter of employment or pay stub
     • Postmarked mail delivered to your address, or USPS change of address confirmation
     • Letter from a parole officer, or from the director of an SC shelter or group home
     • Other document issued by a federal, state or municipal government

2. Fill out the application

   Complete the Application for a Beginner's Permit, Driver's License, or Identification Card (Form 447-NC). For a license, you'll also give the name of your SC auto insurance company.

   Form 447-NC (PDF) ↗

3. Choose an SCDMV branch

   You can go to any SCDMV branch. Check its hours and wait times on the location page first.

   Find an SCDMV branch ↗

4. At the branch

   Ask for a REAL ID, show your original documents and give your Social Security number. For a license, pass the vision test and pay $25. If you're moving from another state, you turn in your out-of-state license.

5. Wait for your card

   SCDMV prints cards centrally. You get a temporary certificate valid for up to 30 days, and the card arrives by mail in 7 to 15 business days. Visit a branch if it hasn't arrived in 30 days.

Common reasons people get turned away

• Both proofs of address must show the same SC address, come from different organizations and be issued within the last 9 months; PO Boxes don't count.
• SCDMV doesn't accept copied or scanned identity documents.
• Buying a duplicate card online before you have your first REAL ID gets you a standard "Not for Federal Identification" card; renewing by mail gives a REAL ID only if all your documents are already on file.
• Your Social Security number, name and date of birth must match SSA's records, so update a name change with Social Security at least 48 hours before your visit.

Offices that issue REAL ID

SCDMV says you visit an SCDMV branch in person to apply and provide your documents, and receive the card by mail. Agency source.

65 offices in South Carolina

• Abbeville SCDMV Abbeville ✓ Office type issues it
• Aiken SCDMV Aiken ✓ Office type issues it
• Anderson SCDMV Anderson ✓ Office type issues it
• Bamberg SCDMV Bamberg ✓ Office type issues it
• Barnwell SCDMV Barnwell ✓ Office type issues it
• Batesburg SCDMV Batesburg ✓ Office type issues it
• Beaufort SCDMV Beaufort ✓ Office type issues it
• Belton SCDMV Belton ✓ Office type issues it
• Bennettsville SCDMV Bennettsville ✓ Office type issues it
• Bishopville SCDMV Bishopville ✓ Office type issues it
• Bluffton SCDMV Bluffton ✓ Office type issues it
• Camden SCDMV Camden ✓ Office type issues it
• Charleston - Orleans Rd SCDMV Charleston ✓ Office type issues it
• Chester SCDMV Chester ✓ Office type issues it
• Chesterfield SCDMV Chesterfield ✓ Office type issues it
• Columbia - O'Neil Court SCDMV Columbia ✓ Office type issues it
• Columbia - Shop Road SCDMV Columbia ✓ Office type issues it
• Conway SCDMV Conway ✓ Office type issues it
• Dillon SCDMV Dillon ✓ Office type issues it
• Edgefield SCDMV Edgefield ✓ Office type issues it
• Allendale SCDMV Fairfax ✓ Office type issues it
• Florence SCDMV Florence ✓ Office type issues it
• Fort Mill SCDMV Fort Mill ✓ Office type issues it
• Fountain Inn SCDMV Fountain Inn ✓ Office type issues it
• Gaffney SCDMV Gaffney ✓ Office type issues it
• Georgetown SCDMV Georgetown ✓ Office type issues it
• Greenville - Edgeworth SCDMV Greenville ✓ Office type issues it
• Greenville - Saluda Dam SCDMV Greenville ✓ Office type issues it
• Greenwood SCDMV Greenwood ✓ Office type issues it
• Greer SCDMV Greer ✓ Office type issues it
• Darlington SCDMV Hartsville ✓ Office type issues it
• Irmo - Ballentine SCDMV Irmo ✓ Office type issues it
• Kingstree SCDMV Kingstree ✓ Office type issues it
• Ladson SCDMV Ladson ✓ Office type issues it
• Lake City SCDMV Lake City ✓ Office type issues it
• Lancaster SCDMV Lancaster ✓ Office type issues it
• Laurens SCDMV Laurens ✓ Office type issues it
• Lexington SCDMV Lexington ✓ Office type issues it
• North Myrtle Beach SCDMV Little River ✓ Office type issues it
• Manning SCDMV Manning ✓ Office type issues it
• McCormick SCDMV McCormick ✓ Office type issues it
• Moncks Corner SCDMV Moncks Corner ✓ Office type issues it
• Charleston - Mount Pleasant SCDMV Mt. Pleasant ✓ Office type issues it
• Marion SCDMV Mullins ✓ Office type issues it
• Myrtle Beach Commons SCDMV Myrtle Beach ✓ Office type issues it
• Myrtle Beach SCDMV Myrtle Beach ✓ Office type issues it
• Newberry SCDMV Newberry ✓ Office type issues it
• North Augusta SCDMV North Augusta ✓ Office type issues it
• Charleston - Leeds Avenue SCDMV North Charleston ✓ Office type issues it
• Orangeburg SCDMV Orangeburg ✓ Office type issues it
• Pickens SCDMV Pickens ✓ Office type issues it
• Ridgeland SCDMV Ridgeland ✓ Office type issues it
• Rock Hill SCDMV Rock Hill ✓ Office type issues it
• Saint George SCDMV Saint George ✓ Office type issues it
• Saluda SCDMV Saluda ✓ Office type issues it
• Seneca SCDMV Seneca ✓ Office type issues it
• Spartanburg - Fairforest Road SCDMV Spartanburg ✓ Office type issues it
• Spartanburg - Southport Road SCDMV Spartanburg ✓ Office type issues it
• Saint Matthews SCDMV St. Matthews ✓ Office type issues it
• Sumter SCDMV Sumter ✓ Office type issues it
• Union SCDMV Union ✓ Office type issues it
• Hampton SCDMV Varnville ✓ Office type issues it
• Walterboro SCDMV Walterboro ✓ Office type issues it
• Winnsboro SCDMV Winnsboro ✓ Office type issues it
• Woodruff SCDMV Woodruff ✓ Office type issues it

Find a nearby office by city or ZIP

Search

Results show offices that issue REAL ID or may, nearest first, each labelled.

Read more

• South Carolina driver license and ID card: first license, renewal, replacement and REAL ID
• REAL ID explained: what changed and which ID you need to fly

Did it work on your first visit?

Tell us after you've been. One anonymous answer, no account, nothing else saved.

Yes, first visitNo

If not, what went wrong?
Choose one (optional)I was missing a documentA document was not acceptedI went to an office that does not issue itI needed an appointmentSomething else

Leave empty Send

Sources · checked October 30, 2026

• Driver's License: Accepted Forms of Identification and REAL ID (SCDMV)
• United States Citizens' Checklist, Form MV-93 (Rev. 06/2026) (SCDMV)
• Lawfully Present Non-US Citizens' Checklist, Form MV-94 (Rev. 06/2026) (SCDMV)
• Designated Branches for People Who Are Not US Citizens (SCDMV)
• Identification Cards (SCDMV)
• Renewals (SCDMV)
• Replace License (SCDMV)
• Address or Name Change (SCDMV)
• Moving to SC (SCDMV)
• Fees (SCDMV)
• REAL IDs Recertified, news release July 31, 2026 (SCDMV)
• Find a Location (SCDMV)

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMVorganization.org is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.