With deadline pushed, IL residents have more time to get REAL ID. Here’s what to know
Illinois residents now have two more years to get their REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state-issued identification card, which was set to become necessary for domestic flights starting in May 2023.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Monday the deadline has been moved to May 7, 2025.
It will mark almost 20 years to the day that the federal REAL ID Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by then-President George W. Bush, enacting a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission.
While you still have plenty of time to get your REAL ID (and you technically don’t have to get one), it may pay off. Here’s what to know about REAL IDs, including how to get one in Illinois and what the deadline extension means for state residents.
What is REAL ID?
First passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”
Its enforcement has been slow-going, however.
Once the enforcement date takes effect, every air traveler 18 years old and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, or a federally-compliant form of identification, to pass through airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel and to enter military bases or federal buildings that require identification.
As of 2020, Illinois had issued about 800,000 REAL IDs in a state with about 8 million licensed drivers, according to a report by CBS News Chicago.
How do I get a REAL ID in Illinois?
If you already have your REAL ID, you can renew it going forward by mail or online, via the state’s Safe Driver Renewal program.
But if you haven’t previous applied, you’ll need to visit one of the state’s offices to obtain one. Be prepared to bring the necessary documents with you.
Generally speaking, you’ll need one proof of identity, one proof of your social security number, two ways to prove your residence and a proof of signature.
Additionally, if your name has changed – for example, because you were married – you will need to bring along your marriage certificate, as well.
Photocopies are not accepted, so you’ll need to bring original documents to obtain your REAL ID. You can view a full list of acceptable documents online.
The fees charged for REAL IDs are the same as the standard Illinois driver’s license or state identification fees, which is $30 for a basic driver’s license and $20 for a state ID.
More information about REAL ID is available at the Illinois Secretary of State’s website.
This story was originally published December 5, 2022 at 2:50 PM with the headline "With deadline pushed, IL residents have more time to get REAL ID. Here’s what to know."