South Carolina’s DMV generally does not mail you a REAL ID if you apply in person; you usually leave with a temporary document, and the actual card is mailed later when the state’s centralized issuance process is used. In the older online-renewal/online-order flow, the DMV says the new REAL ID is mailed to the address on file in about 5 to 10 business days, or sometimes within 3 to 5 days depending on the service location and process.

How it works

If you apply at a branch, the SCDMV requires the usual REAL ID documents: proof of identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of your physical South Carolina address, plus name-change documents if needed.

Mailing vs. same-day

Some South Carolina DMV locations have historically issued the card on the spot, while newer centralized issuance makes the hard card arrive by mail after your visit.

What to expect

  • Bring your documents in person.
  • Pay the REAL ID fee.
  • Get either a temporary paper credential or immediate card, depending on the office/process in use.
  • Receive the permanent REAL ID in the mail to your address on file if your transaction uses centralized mailing.

TL;DR

The South Carolina DMV mails a REAL ID only in certain workflows, not as a universal rule; the card is typically mailed after the application is completed and verified, while some offices may still issue it right away.