REAL ID required for air travel, federal buildings starting May 7th

As of May 7, 2025, South Carolina residents must have a REAL ID or another federally accepted form of identification to board domestic flights and access secure federal facilities.

The REAL ID program, created by Congress in 2005 following the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, sets federal security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards. Enforcement officially began Tuesday after multiple extensions by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

South Carolinians without a REAL ID-compliant license will no longer be allowed through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport checkpoints for domestic flights unless they present an alternative such as a valid U.S. passport or a Department of Defense ID. REAL ID is also required for entry into federal courthouses, military bases and other secure federal facilities.

If you are unsure whether your SC driver’s license or ID is a REAL ID or not there is an easy way to check. South Carolina’s REAL ID cards feature a gold star in the upper right-hand corner. If a South Carolina driver’s license or ID card says “Not for Federal Identification” printed on the front of your card it is not a REAL ID. Residents can obtain a REAL ID at any South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) office.

To obtain a REAL ID, residents must visit a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) office and present:

• Proof of identity, such as a valid U.S. passport or certified birth certificate
• Proof of Social Security number, such as a Social Security card
• Two proofs of current South Carolina residency, such as a utility bill, bank statement, pay stub, rental or lease agreement or mortgage document
• Legal documents verifying any name changes, such as a marriage license or court order

There is no additional cost to upgrade to a REAL ID during a regular renewal. A replacement card issued outside the normal renewal period costs $25.
Residents who already have a valid passport, military ID or another federally accepted form of identification are not required to obtain a REAL ID. However, many travelers opt for a REAL ID-compliant license for convenience. Travelers should note that expired passports are not valid substitutes.

Children under age 18 are not required to present a REAL ID when flying domestically with an adult who has compliant identification, according to TSA guidelines.

Those who have not yet upgraded to a REAL ID can still do so. Applications and document checklists are available online at scdmvonline.com. State officials urge residents to complete the process soon to avoid disruptions to travel plans or access to federal facilities.