Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants Illinoisans to make sure they know if they need a REAL ID, before the Federal deadline, which is now less than three months away.
The Secretary of State’s office is proactively raising awareness about the uses of REAL IDs. It is also clarifying that REAL IDs are not mandatory for
• driving a vehicle
• valid identification
• proof of citizenship.
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 7, 2025. Individuals who have a valid U. S. passport and those under the age of 18 will not need a REAL ID.
In January 2025, Giannoulias’s office issued 128,000 REAL IDs, a record for a single month. The office suggests that REAL ID applicants make plans to visit an appointment-only DMV to avoid any possible waits.
Giannoulias also stressed that Illinoisans who need a REAL ID should make an appointment closer to the May 7 deadline, or wait until after May 7 to apply if they do not have immediate travel plans.
Individuals applying for a REAL ID must do so in-person at an Illinois DMV and are required to present the items listed below.
• 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 have changed your name, you will need to provide name-change documents.
•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.
•Two current residency documents that list your full name. Examples include a utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title, or a bank statement.
•Proof of your signature. Examples include a signed credit or debit card, canceled check, current State Driver’s License or State ID card.
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.