What Do You Need to Get a Replacement ID in SC?

To get a replacement ID in SC, bring proof of identity, your Social Security number, and proof of your South Carolina address to any SCDMV branch office, or order a duplicate through the SCDMV online portal if you have your current ID card number or a vehicle plate number on file. The fee is $10, and the new card arrives by mail in 7 to 15 business days.

Documents to Bring

South Carolina law requires the SCDMV to verify your date of birth, place of birth, Social Security number, full legal name, and residential address whenever you apply for an identification card.¹ If your documents are already on file from a previous visit and nothing has changed, you can order the replacement online and skip the paperwork.

Otherwise, plan to bring one document from each of these categories to the branch:

Proof of identity and date of birth, such as an original or certified birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport
Proof of your Social Security number, such as your Social Security card or a W-2 showing the full number
One proof of your current SC address, such as a utility bill, lease, vehicle registration, or payroll stub

The SCDMV’s U.S. Citizens Checklist (Form MV-93) lists every acceptable document in each category.²

If You Want to Upgrade to a REAL ID

If your current card is a standard ID and you want the replacement to be a REAL ID, you need two proofs of your current South Carolina address instead of one, and each must come from a different organization.² You also need to present your identity and Social Security documents in person if the SCDMV doesn’t already have them on file from a previous REAL ID transaction.

This matters for air travel. As of May 7, 2025, the TSA no longer accepts non-REAL ID state identification at airport security checkpoints.³ If you order a replacement online and have never held a REAL ID before, the card you receive will be a standard ID printed with “Not for Federal Identification” on the front.⁴ To get the REAL ID version, you have to visit a branch in person.

How to Apply

Online

The fastest option is the SCDMV online portal. To verify your identity, you’ll need to enter your driver’s license number, your identification card number, or a vehicle plate number currently registered in your name.⁵ If your ID was your only SC-issued identification and you don’t have a vehicle registered, the portal won’t be able to identify you, and you’ll need to go in person.

There is a hard limit online: one replacement per 12-month period. If you’ve already replaced your card online within the past year, the system will block you, and the branch may ask for extra documentation such as a police report before issuing a second replacement.⁴

In Person at a Branch

Bring your documents to any SCDMV branch and complete two short forms:

Surrender Agreement (Form DL-49), where you state whether the old card was lost, destroyed, or stolen, note any police report if it was stolen, and agree to return the old card if you find it.⁶
Application for Identification Card (Form 447-NC), the main application covering your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and whether you want a REAL ID or standard card.⁷

Make sure every detail on Form 447-NC matches what the SCDMV already has for you, especially your legal name. Mismatches slow things down.

After the clerk verifies your paperwork and takes a new photo, you’ll leave with a temporary paper identification certificate rather than the finished card.⁸

What It Costs

A replacement identification card costs $10 for anyone 17 or older. South Carolina law entitles residents 17 and older to one free ID card per eight-year issuance cycle, and the $10 fee applies when you need a replacement before your card’s expiration date.⁹

Check the expiration date on your old card before you pay. If you’re within one year of expiration, the SCDMV treats the transaction as a renewal and waives the $10 fee.⁸

Branches accept cash, check, and debit or credit cards. The online portal accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express, and charges an additional processing fee on top of the $10.⁵

Getting By Until the Card Arrives

The temporary paper certificate you receive at the branch is valid for up to 30 days and can be used for voting and for general identification where accepted.⁸ The TSA does not accept temporary paper IDs at airport security, so if you’re flying before the permanent card arrives, use a passport or another TSA-accepted document.¹⁰

The permanent card is mailed to the address on file within 7 to 15 business days, so confirm your address at the time of application. If nothing has arrived after 30 days, the SCDMV asks that you visit a branch to check on the status.⁸

If Your ID Was Stolen

Replacing the card handles the credential. It doesn’t undo the fact that someone else now has your name, date of birth, and address on a government-issued document. A few additional steps help contain the damage:

File a police report. The Surrender Agreement (Form DL-49) asks whether you’ve filed an investigative report for a stolen card, and having one on record helps when you dispute fraudulent activity later.⁶
Place a fraud alert with one of the credit bureaus: Equifax (800-525-6285), Experian (800-397-3742), or TransUnion (800-680-7289). The one you call is required to notify the other two.
Report the theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, which builds a recovery plan with step-by-step instructions and pre-filled letters for businesses.¹¹
Order a certified copy of your driving record from the SCDMV for $6 to check whether anyone has used your stolen ID to obtain a license or generate traffic offenses in your name.

1
South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 56-1-90 – Evidence Required to Apply
2
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. United States Citizens Checklist
3
Transportation Security Administration. TSA Begins REAL ID Full Enforcement on May 7
4
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Replace License, Permit, or ID Card
5
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. SCDMV Public Services – Transaction List
6
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Surrender Agreement – SCDMV Form DL-49
7
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Application for Beginner’s Permit, Driver’s License, or Identification Card – SCDMV Form 447-NC
8
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Identification Cards
9
South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 56-1-3350 – Issuance of Special Identification Card; Fees and Fee Waivers
10
Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
11
Federal Trade Commission. Report Identity Theft