What Happens If You Don’t Have a Real ID? With a Week Until Enforcement Begins, Here’s What to Know

Eunice Alpasan | April 29, 2025, 4:59 pm

A file photo of the Real ID Supercenter at 191 N. Clark St. in downtown Chicago. (WTTW News)

A day two decades in the making is finally here.

Starting May 7, most adults catching a flight in the U.S. will be required to present a valid passport or a state-issued identification card that meets federal Real ID standards.

After several delays and extensions, Transportation Security Administration officials said the agency plans on implementing Real ID “enforcement measures” at TSA checkpoints nationwide.

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The enforcement period comes as some people scramble last-minute to DMV facilities to obtain a Real ID and amid confusion about how the new standards will be enforced ahead of the busy summer travel season.

Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Real ID?

A REAL ID is a driver’s license or state-issued ID that meets security requirements mandated in a 2005 law passed by Congress in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Starting May 7, those in the U.S. can use the federally approved card to board an airplane for domestic travel or enter secure federal facilities such as a military bases or federal courthouses.

Illinois residents can tell if they have a Real ID by the placement of a gold star in the upper right corner of their driver’s license or ID.

Is a Real ID mandatory?

No. If you will not be boarding a domestic flight or entering a military base or secure federal facility, you do not need a Real ID.

But, if you do plan to board a domestic flight, a valid U.S. passport or passport card, permanent resident card, Global Entry card, military ID, foreign government passport or other federally approved identification can be used as a primary form of identification instead of a Real ID.

A REAL ID is not required to drive, vote, apply for federal benefits or for general identification purposes or proof of citizenship, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

What Do I Need to Apply for a Real ID?

To apply for a REAL ID, Illinois applicants need to visit an Illinois Secretary of State DMV facility and provide documents confirming identity, Social Security number, residency and signature.

Below are examples of the documents you need to obtain a Real ID:

Proof of identity and U.S. citizenship or lawful status
- Examples include 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 your identity document is in a different name, you will need to provide a certified name change document such as a marriage license or court document.
Proof of full Social Security number
- 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 signature
- Examples include a signed credit or debit card, canceled check or current state driver’s license or state ID.

A full list of acceptable documents can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

The fees for a Real ID are the same for a standard driver’s license or ID, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. A list of fees can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

What if I Can’t Get a DMV Appointment?

Due to increased demand for Real ID services, appointments at DMV facilities can fill up fast.

New day-of appointments at each facility are added every morning and new appointments for later in the week are added each afternoon, said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias during a February news conference.

If you are unable to get a Real ID appointment, visit a walk-in Real ID Saturday DMV or the walk-in Real ID supercenter at 191 N. Clark St. in downtown Chicago. The supercenter offers walk-in REAL ID services exclusively from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at least until May 31.

The following dozen DMV facilities are open Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to accommodate Real ID requests exclusively on a walk-in basis at least until May 31.

Chicago West, 7301 W. Lexington Ave.
Suburban facilities in Addison, Aurora, Des Plaines, Elgin, Joliet, Lake Zurich, Melrose Park, Plano, St. Charles, Waukegan and Woodstock.

A Secretary of State’s Office spokesperson said it might extend operations beyond May at the Real ID supercenter and at Real ID Saturday DMVs depending on demand.

What Happens at the Airport If I Don’t Have a Real ID By the May 7 Enforcement Date?

A full list of alternative acceptable forms of identification can be found on TSA’s website.

Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not Real ID compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative such as a passport can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint, according to TSA in an April 11 news release.

About 80% of travelers at TSA checkpoints present an acceptable identification, including a state-issued Real ID, according to the TSA news release from earlier this month.

If someone shows up to an airport without a Real ID or an alternative document, the TSA has indicated it will take extra steps to verify their identity before allowing them to board a flight and recommends allowing for extra time, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. However, it’s still not fully clear.

Earlier this year, TSA suggested it will implement a “phased enforcement approach,” which could allow travelers to board flights with warnings about the Real ID requirement.

Can I Still Get a Real ID After the May 7 Federal Enforcement Date?

Yes. Giannoulias has asked residents to wait until after May 7 to apply if they do not have immediate travel plans to avoid long lines at the DMV.

The Secretary of State’s Office launched an online portal so residents can determine whether they need a Real ID before the federal enforcement period begins.

“Most people don’t need a Real ID, and if you do need one, you most likely don’t need one by May 7,” Giannoulias said during a February news conference. “I’ve specifically stopped referring to the May 7 deadline as a deadline because it is not a deadline. After May 7, you will still be able to get a Real ID.”