Do You Need a REAL ID? Maybe… or Maybe Not

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Secretary of State clears up REAL ID confusion ahead of May 7 deadline

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants Illinoisans to make sure they know if they need a REAL ID ahead of the federal deadline, now less than three months away.

The Secretary of State’s office is proactively raising awareness about the uses of REAL IDs and clarifying that they are not mandatory for driving a vehicle or required for valid identification or proof of citizenship.

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The primary reason for Illinoisans over the age of 18 to obtain a REAL ID is to fly domestically on a commercial aircraft or visit certain federal facilities, such as a military base or federal courthouse as of May 7th. Individuals who have a valid U.S. passport and those under the age of 18 will not need a REAL ID.

The deadline for obtaining the REAL ID has been pushed back multiple times, most recently in 2022 when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the DHS has not provided details on how it plans to enforce the REAL ID Act once the deadline arrives, suggesting it will implement a “phased enforcement approach” over a two-year period, which could allow travelers to board flights with warnings about the requirement.

“Between implementation delays and a lack of clarity about enforcement procedures, the REAL ID initiative has led to a great deal of confusion and misinformation about what is required and how the federal government plans to implement it,” Giannoulias said. “We do know that REAL IDs will not be mandatory for most tasks other than flying, and our employees have been doing an outstanding job at handling this unprecedented demand.”

Giannoulias launched the office’s “Get Real Illinois” campaign last May to raise awareness about the requirements and deadline associated with the federal initiative. The campaign has leveraged partnerships across the state to boost enrollment through a series of REAL ID “pop-up” events throughout the past year.

Giannoulias’ office has experienced an uptick in REAL ID issuances with 628,279 issued in 2022, 864,240 in 2023 and 1.1 million in 2024. In January of 2025, the office issued 128,000 REAL IDs, a record for a single month.

To accommodate the recent demand, the office has increased the number of available daily appointments by nearly 2,500 at the 44 appointment-only DMVs in Chicago and the suburbs. Because the office’s two “walk-in” facilities in the Chicago area – the Loop and Chinatown DMVs – have experienced longer wait times leading up to the deadline, the office is suggesting that REAL ID applicants make plans to visit an appointment-only DMV to avoid any possible waits.

Currently, just 3.4 million Illinois residents with a driver’s license or state ID – or about 30 percent – hold a REAL ID driver’s license or ID.

Giannoulias also stressed that Illinoisans who need a REAL ID should make an appointment at a DMV to avoid longer lines closer to the deadline or wait until after May 7 to apply if they do not have immediate travel plans.

For Illinoisans with flight plans after May 7, 2025, it is recommended they submit their REAL ID application at least 30 days prior to the flight. A temporary driver’s license or state ID will not be accepted as a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.

Individuals applying for a REAL ID must do so in-person at an Illinois DMV and are required to present:

1. A U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Naturalization Certificate, Report of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, an employment authorization document, a permanent resident card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form is also acceptable. If you’ve changed your name, you’ll need to provide name change documents.

2. Proof of a full Social Security number (SSN). Examples include: a Social Security card, a W-2 or a pay stub with your full SSN.

3. Two current residency documents that list your full name. Examples include: a utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title or a bank statement.

4. Proof of your signature. Examples include: a signed credit or debit card, canceled check, or current state driver’s license or state ID.

Illinois residents can go online to access an interactive checklist to make sure they have the documents they need before heading to a DMV.

Some Illinois DMVs require an appointment, so residents are encouraged to plan ahead and visit www.ilsos.gov if they need to schedule one.

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