The time it takes for a REAL ID to come in the mail varies by state but generally ranges from about 7 days to up to 30 days after the application or visit to a Real ID center. Common reported times include:
- Around 1 week (7 days) in states like Pennsylvania, based on user experiences shared online where many received their REAL ID in about a week after in-person document verification and photo capture.
- Between 10 to 14 days in states like Indiana and Oklahoma, with 14 days being a common official estimate for mailing the permanent card after verification.
- Up to 20 business days (about 4 weeks) in states such as Connecticut and Oregon.
- Some states report up to 30 days for delivery after application approval.
Applicants typically receive a temporary paper ID at the time of application or visit, which is valid until the permanent REAL ID card arrives in the mail.
In summary, the REAL ID generally arrives anywhere from about 1 week to 4 weeks in the mail depending on the state's processing and mailing times. It is recommended to apply at least 3-4 weeks before any need for domestic air travel or federal identification purposes to allow sufficient processing and mailing time.
If the card does not arrive within the expected timeframe (usually 14-30 days), applicants are advised to contact their state's DMV or licensing authority for assistance.
This time frame covers the period after completing all required in-person document verification and photo capture steps. If the application is done entirely online with pre-verification, the timing may differ slightly by state.
