In California, after you complete your in-person DMV appointment for a REAL ID, you can expect to receive your new REAL ID card in the mail within about 1 to 3 weeks. Many applicants report receiving it around one week after their appointment, though some mention it can take up to 2-3 weeks depending on the DMV location and processing times
. The DMV states that you will get a temporary paper version of your REAL ID immediately after your DMV visit, which you can use until your official card arrives by mail, typically within two weeks
. Official DMV processing times for ID cards by mail generally range from 3 to 4 weeks, but online applications and kiosk orders may be faster, around 2 weeks
. To summarize:
- Complete your REAL ID application online and upload documents to save time.
- Make an appointment and visit the DMV in person with original documents.
- Receive a temporary paper REAL ID immediately.
- Expect your permanent REAL ID card to arrive by mail in about 1 to 3 weeks after your DMV visit.
This timeline can vary slightly based on DMV location and workload, but planning for up to three weeks is reasonable
