RealID

US National-id efforts

2025 Illinois notes

• no your driver's license doesn't automatically qualify - but it does if it has a gold star in the upper-right corner
• you can get a Real-ID-DriversLicense or a Real-ID-card, but not both (I guess if you are already good for a driver's license, you want to get that, if you don't have a driver's license then you just settle for the card)
• Saturday DMV walk-ins https://realid.ilsos.gov/dmvwalkinrealid.html
  • otherwise you have to make an appointment
    • LakeZurich: search 60047, currently seeing appointments 10 days out
• documents required: pdf
  • if you already have passport where your current full legal name (first, middle and last name) is on it (pdf linked above doesn't include that specific requirement)
    • also need Social Security card (or W-2 or other official with your SocSec number on it)
    • and 2 printed documents (no mobile/computer image, no photocopy) verifying your address (this can be a challenge for a child)
    • and something with signature: driver's license, credit card, canceled check, etc.