Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced on Monday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the federal REAL ID deadline.

The REAL ID deadline went from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025.

Current standard Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports for domestic air travel until May 7, 2025.

Illinoisans interested in applying for a REAL ID are encouraged to visit here and use the interactive document checklist.

First-time REAL ID applicants are required by DHS to visit a Driver Services facility in person.

Not everyone needs a REAL ID, and in Illinois, the Secretary of State’s office gives Illinoisans a choice.

Illinoisans who do not fly domestically do not necessarily need a REAL ID.

Additionally, a valid U.S. passport is a compliant REAL ID document; therefore, those with valid U.S. passports do not necessarily need a REAL ID.