Illinois REAL ID Deadline Extended

Due to the COVID pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID deadline for Illinois and other states until October 1, 2021. After the October 1 deadline, travelers will be required to show a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or other document for domestic flights within the United States. New Illinois driver’s are NOT automatically REAL ID-compliant: you must specifically request a REAL ID when you get your driver’s license renewed, or are issued a first-time Illinois driver’s license.

The deadline to have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, US passport, US military ID or other accepted identification to fly within the United States has been delayed due to the coronavirus. The original deadline date was October 1, 2020, but the federal, state and local response to the global COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a delay, says DHS. The new deadline is October 1, 2021, a one-year extension from the previous date.

Steps to Obtain a REAL ID

To see if your state driver’s license or identification card is REAL ID compliant, check if there is a gold star in the upper right-hand corner. Some state departments of motor vehicles confirm REAL ID status online. Illinois requires in-person REAL ID applications.

To get a REAL ID-compliant Illinois state driver’s license, Illinois requires applicants to provide documentation that shows their full legal name, their date of birth, their Social Security Number, two proofs of address of principal residence and lawful status. Each state may impose additional identification requirements. More about the Illinois REAL ID requirements and how to apply for a REAL ID compliant driver’s license is listed here: https://realid.ilsos.gov/.

REAL ID and TSA Pre-Check are two of the 9/11 Commission’s travel safety recommendations to the federal government.

Real ID Approved Travel Documents