Effective May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to board domestic flights unless you have a valid U.S. passport.

Written by Andrea Barrett

Edited by Amy Bobinger

Updated on Sep 12, 2023

Table of Contents

A REAL ID is a driver's license or ID that’s also a federally accepted form of identification
Illinois REAL ID costs
Use the Illinois interactive checklist to prepare for the REAL ID application process

As of May 7, 2025, you must legally use a REAL ID-compliant

Illinois driver’s license

to board domestic flights unless you have a valid US passport. Fees range from $5 to $10, and you can use the Illinois Secretary of State online interactive checklist to help you prepare for your appointment.

Boarding domestic flights will require a REAL ID-compliant driver's license starting May 7, 2025
REAL ID fees are the same as for a standard Illinois driver's license ($30) or state ID ($20)
Getting a REAL ID will require an appointment with the Secretary of State Driver Services

A REAL ID is a driver's license or ID that’s also a federally accepted form of identification

In response to 9/11, national security in the U.S. was significantly increased, and a number of new protocols were put in place. As a part of this effort, the 9/11 Commission passed the

REAL ID Act

in 2005 to create unified requirements and regulations for state driver's licenses and identification documents.

Although established almost two decades ago, the deadline for Illinois residents to have REAL ID-compliant identification has been extended to May 7, 2025.

If you want to fly, you’ll need a REAL ID

For

Illinois

residents flying domestically, a valid driver’s license won’t cut it anymore. As of May 7, 2025, you must use a valid U.S. Passport or obtain a REAL ID from the Illinois Secretary of State's Office for air travel within the U.S.

Here’s a breakdown of situations where you may or may not need a REAL ID:

You DO NOT NEED a REAL ID if:

You have a valid U.S. passport or passport card; or

You do not fly as a means of domestic transportation; or

You do not visit military bases; or

You do not visit secure federal facilities

You NEED a REAL ID if:

You do not have a valid U.S. passport or passport card; AND

You fly domestically; or

You visit military bases; or

You visit secure federal facilities

Considering most people aren’t regularly visiting secure federal facilities or entering nuclear power plants, switching to a REAL ID might not seem necessary. But if you don’t have a U.S. passport and are flying domestically, you’ll need to switch to keep your trip on your calendar.

If you don't have a REAL ID-compliant license by 2025, you can still board a flight using another form of identification. You can find a list of

acceptable documents online

Key Takeaway Effective May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to board domestic flights unless you have a valid U.S. passport.

MORE:

Illinois driver’s license requirements

Illinois REAL ID costs

If you have a current Illinois driver’s license in the state of Illinois and are upgrading it to a REAL ID driver’s license, you’ll need to pay a small fee.

The fee for a REAL ID is the same as for a standard Illinois driver's license ($30) or state ID ($20).

If your current ID doesn’t need to be renewed, you can still switch to a REAL ID-compliant card, but there will be a $5 change fee. If your license does not expire for more than one year, the REAL ID will still have the same expiration date.

Use the Illinois interactive checklist to prepare for the REAL ID application process

If you’re ready to swap your standard driver’s license for a REAL ID in Illinois, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to prepare. You can use the Secretary of State

interactive checklist

to help you, but we’ll cover the basics.

Visit a

Secretary of State Driver Services facility

to have your photo taken and complete any required exams. Bring:

Valid proof of identity (see chart below)

Proof of full Social Security number (SSN)

Two current residency documents with your applicant's name (see chart below)

Proof of signature

Proofs of Identity	Proofs of Residency
Certified birth certificate U.S. passport Foreign passport with U.S. visa affixed with approved Form I-94 document Consular Report of Birth Abroad Certificate of U.S. Citizenship Certificate of Naturalization Employment Authorization Document Permanent Resident Card REAL ID Note: Name change documents, such as a certified copy of a marriage certificate, etc., will be required if the applicant provides a birth certificate with a name different from his/her current name.	Bank statement or canceled check dated within 90 days of your application Credit card statement School report card or certified transcript Credit reports from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion within the past 12 months Deed/title, mortgage, or rental/lease agreement Insurance policy Letter on official school letterhead dated within 90 days of your application Medical claim or statement from a private or public insurance company dated within 90 days of your application Pay stub Official mail from the federal, state, county, or local government Pension or retirement statement Official mail from a college or university within the past year Utility bill within the past 90 days Voter registration card

Proofs of Identity

Proofs of Residency

Certified birth certificate

U.S. passport

Foreign passport with U.S. visa affixed with approved Form I-94 document

Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Certificate of U.S. Citizenship

Certificate of Naturalization

Employment Authorization Document

Permanent Resident Card

REAL ID

Note: Name change documents, such as a certified copy of a marriage certificate, etc., will be required if the applicant provides a birth certificate with a name different from his/her current name.

Bank statement or canceled check dated within 90 days of your application

Credit card statement

School report card or certified transcript

Credit reports from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion within the past 12 months

Deed/title, mortgage, or rental/lease agreement

Insurance policy

Letter on official school letterhead dated within 90 days of your application

Medical claim or statement from a private or public insurance company dated within 90 days of your application

Pay stub

Official mail from the federal, state, county, or local government

Pension or retirement statement

Official mail from a college or university within the past year

Utility bill within the past 90 days

Voter registration card

Once you gather the required documents and complete any exams, you’ll be given a temporary, secure paper DL/ID at the facility. Remember that the TSA and federal agents will not accept the paper document—you’ll need to wait until your physical REAL ID card arrives in the mail.

After you’ve reviewed and verified the documents, your permanent REAL ID card will be mailed to you within 15 business days.