The REAL ID deadline in SC is almost here. Here’s what happens if you don’t get one in time
So, your family is all packed and excited for the big summer vacation you’ve planned for months. The airline tickets are purchased and you even have a nice rental car lined up for when you arrive.
Looks like everything is set — only for you to arrive at the airport and realize you don’t have a South Carolina REAL ID.
The federal identification requirements begin on May 7, 2025, in South Carolina. Residents will need the identification card after that date if they want to fly in the U.S., visit some secure federal buildings or military installations.
“The time for waiting on Real ID is over,” Kevin Shwedo, executive director of the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, said in a press release. “As the deadline comes, we expect there to be more demand to get in compliance. We encourage citizens to act now on getting their Real ID.”
The U.S. Congress passed the REAL ID Act of 2005 in response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation to standardize government-issued identifications, such as driver’s licenses. The deadline for when the card was to take effect has been delayed several times over the years, most recently because of the COVID-19 pandemic and from DMV backlogs caused by those delays.
Here’s what you need to know about obtaining a South Carolina REAL ID and what happens if you fail to get one before the deadline.
What happens if you arrive at a SC airport without a REAL ID?
If you arrive at an airport without a REAL ID, passport or another acceptable piece of identification, you “can expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint,” the Department of Homeland Security says.
Also, fliers without acceptable identification will need to undergo additional security procedures, the Transportation Security Administration states.
The TSA would need to verify the traveler’s identity by collecting information like their name and current address. The person might then be subject to additional screening.
These ID requirements apply to everyone 18 years old and older. People whose identity cannot be confirmed or who refuse to complete the additional screening will be unable to pass through airport security, the TSA states.
What do I need to apply for a REAL ID in SC?
To apply for a South Carolina REAL ID, take the following steps:
Have proof of identification.
According to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, you must have original or government-issued copies of all documents proving identity, such as a birth certificate or unexpired U.S. Passport, two proofs of your current physical South Carolina address, your social security number, and proof of legal name changes, if applicable. For a full list of accepted documents, click here.
Purchasing SC Real ID
Most regular South Carolina licenses cost $25, whether it is a REAL ID marked with a gold star or a card that says “not for federal identification.” Identification cards are free for people who are 17 years old or older, regardless of whether the ID card is REAL ID or not. ID cards for those 16 years old or younger cost $15.
South Carolinians who have received their first license since November 2010 should check to see if they’re eligible to purchase a REAL ID online at home. To see if you’re eligible for online purchase, click here.
If you are not eligible for online purchase, bring the relevant documents and visit a SCDMV branch. To find your nearest branch, click here.
Do you have to get a REAL ID in SC?
“If you do not think you have a need to fly, enter a federal building, or visit a military installation, you do not need a REAL ID,” the SCDMV states. And if that ever changes, you can always get a REAL ID after the deadline.
Regardless of having a REAL ID, you’ll still need an unexpired passport to fly internationally.
You also do not need a REAL ID to do any of the following:
- Drive
- Vote
- Apply for or receive federal benefits
- Enter a federal building that does not require ID, like a post office
- Access a hospital
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
