REAL ID requirements in Illinois

WHAT IS THE REAL ID, AND WHEN IS IT STARTING TO BE ISSUED in Illinois?

The REAL ID is a new type of Identification card that you will have to get before October 1st 2021. This card is issued with more secure standards in every State. You will need this new card when you need to identify yourself for official purposes, and the Federal agencies will be obligated to request it to you in case you need to access any Federal Facilities, enter Nuclear Power Plants or even if you are about to board a commercial aircraft around the States.

The deadline to get your brand new REAL ID card is the first of October 2021, it is set that by this time, all the different States will be able to issue them. If you are an american citizen or an american legal resident, you will have to apply for this new type of identification to be able to move around the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will give all States until October 1st 2021 to start to issue this new Identification cards according to the REAL ID standards, for that reason, the Department of Homeland Security is working really hard with all States to help them to comply the standards by the deadline.

The REAL ID is not a national identification card, and it doesn't create a centralized federal database. We would like to leave clear that every State will keep issuing their own cards with its characteristics and will keep having their own records.

There are some States that already have set security standards on their regular Id cards and that are still acceptable, like the Enhanced Drivers licenses issued in New York, Vermont, Minnesota,Michigan and Washington.

To process your REAL ID card you will have to make an appointment on your current State driving license agency website and check the requirements and the papers you will have to present there, most of the States will request documentation that shows: Full name and date of birth, if you have your Social Security Number, your address and your legal Status.

If your card has one of the following marks (Check Image below), it may comply with the REAL ID standards, but if you are not sure that your ID is compliant with the REAL ID Identification card please look for assistance.

Keep in mind that, if you have any doubts it is better to ask your State agency than to risk yourself having any problem because of not having a Valid ID.

In the case you need to travel, The Transportation Security Administration also accepts other identification documents, like the passport for example, but we recommend you that just to be sure, before you have to use your ID visit the TSA website to check your valid options.

WHO IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS NEW REAL ID CARD in Illinois?

The REAL ID is for all American citizens, every american must apply for a REAL ID before October first.

You may find that some States can issue some identification cards to non citizens or Undocumented immigrants,if this is your case, the REAL ID allows some States to issue driver's licenses and IDs for you, always with some different characteristics and or another color. If you want to check if there is a chance for you to get a REAL ID for yourself, we recommend you to visit the DHS website to check what are your options.

Another group of people that can apply for these cards are all of those with an Employment Authorization Document. They can apply for a REAL ID card which will be temporary until its expiration date. (In this case you will also need to be in possession of a Social Security Number).

The REAL ID Act has been modified with some additions to it, so if you are not sure you are entitled to have this Identification card, we recommend you to ask for assistance to you local State Agency or to visit the DHS website.

WHAT IF I HAVE A FLIGHT BOOKED?

ccording to the DHS and TSA, before October 1st, all American citizens and residents will be allowed to board a flight with their current ID card or driver's license. After October 1st 2021, if you plan to fight and you don't have a passport (which may be another valid way to identify yourself to the authorities), keep in mind that the boarding will be denied and you will not be able to pass through the checkpoint at the airport, as the regular ID card will not longer be accepted and a REAL ID will be mandatory to be able to board.

If you are travelling with children under 18 years of age, The REAL ID is not required, in this case, the minor current ID will be enough to cross the security at the airport.

Please bear in mind that the REAL ID does not allow people to cross the border into Canada or Mexico, nor even to travel in an International cruise, a passport instead will be the necessary document to make this international travel. REAL ID will be only used in this case to travel around the United States.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY STATE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REAL ID STANDARDS?

In the case you find out that by the time when October comes your States does not issue this new type of identification, you will have two options:

Report it to the DHS - THere is a lot of bureaucracy in this aspect, and the DHS has the last word. In some scenarios exists the possibility that the jurisdiction will be granted with an extension, in which case the DHS will closely work with their officials to comply with this new rule ASAP.

You can apply for a regular ID card that does not comply with the REAL ID standards. If this becomes your case, you can make a good use of your ID, and it will be valid for certain purposes but NOT FOR OFFICIAL ONES. Check that your ID will have an inscription informing that the card is not valid for "Official purposes"), so in case you need to board an aircraft for a regional flight for example, you will have to bring your passport.

Enhanced Driver's License:

If you live in New York, Washington, Minnesota, Michigan or Vermont, you may already have your enhanced driver's license. These kinds of cards are acceptable as Border-crossing documents and are only issued by the States of Washington, New York, Minnesota, Vermont and Michigan. The Secretary of Homeland Security established these cards as acceptable to enter the States by land and sea ports complying with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, this is due to the fact that this particular card is issued in a secure process, like the REAL ID ones, and that includes new technologies like a Radio Frequency Identification Chip.

Compliance with the REAL ID in Illinois