REAL IDs are finally here to stay. Starting May 7, all U.S. citizens will be required to have a REAL ID for domestic air travel and access to government buildings.
It’s been a slow move in rolling out REAL IDs. One that has taken about 20 years now.
“I thought it was already done!” Mara Berkland, a professor of Communication at NCC, said. “I honestly thought that REAL IDs were done and everyone had one. I did not even realize that we hadn’t finished the transition…You can’t even get a regular driver’s license anymore.”
However, even after all this time, many citizens still do not have their REAL ID.
What is a REAL ID?
According to the Illinois Secretary of State website, REAL IDs are just like the regular license and ID cards we’re used to, but they have a star in the upper right corner to signify an extra level of identity verification.
Born from the REAL ID Act, a bill passed in 2005, REAL IDs were created in hopes to provide more security to federal buildings and air travel by limiting it to those with the star stamp.
The process of getting a REAL ID is exactly the same as applying for or renewing a driver’s license. However, the paperwork needed is slightly different than it has been in the past.
Additionally, individuals will need to bring:
- Proof of identity, date of birth and U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Status—such as a birth certificate, certificate of Naturalization or U.S. passport
- A document with your full Social Security Number
- Two documents that contain your full address of residence
- One document with your signature—such as a Driver’s License or canceled check
Berkland said that for her, the process was painless and exactly like renewing her driver’s license.
“I travel internationally, and the passport is way more complicated,” said Berkland. “But it (a passport) is a national document. Of course it’s not going to be easy to get.”
Do you need a REAL ID?
A common misconception that surrounds REAL IDs is that May 7 is the last day to get one. This is not true.
“My parents are switching theirs soon,” Maxine Ocampo, ’25, said. “They panicked because they thought there’s consequences if you’re not switched to REAL ID.”
Per the Illinois Secretary of State, this deadline is just for those who will be traveling domestically or entering government buildings on and after this day.
REAL IDs are a permanent switch in the U.S. and will also be available past the deadline.
Because of previously lax enforcement, many people are overwhelming facilities trying to get their REAL IDs. The State of Illinois is encouraging that those who will not be traveling soon to wait until later in the year to make the switch.
“I was confused on the urgency if you already have a passport,” said Ocampo, ’25. “I understand if you don’t have a passport yet, but if you have one, what are the consequences of not getting a REAL ID, y’know?”
If you will be traveling and cannot get your REAL ID, the Illinois Secretary of State and TSA has released a list of other documents.
Alternative eligible identification documents include a U.S. Passport, DHS trusted traveler card, a permanent resident card and more.
Are REAL IDs effective?
Many people have questioned the necessity of switching to REAL IDs. Whether or not it’s an effective switch in terms of identity verification.
Ocampo, ’25, also questioned the necessity of them and the difference they have to other ID forms that make the process so urgent.
Berkland, though, believes that while REAL IDs aren’t the most effective method of identification, they are the best we have at the moment.
“I mean, there’s so many betters ways of having national identifiers,” said Berkland. “I think fingerprint or DNA identification, but all of those get into issues of privacy.”
Working within our current means, Berkland believes federal identification documents should be consistent in their formatting. This would help make the process easier as a result. It would also encourage faster changes.
With REAL IDs, Berkland thinks everything should have been changed back when the bill was initially passed in 2005.
“It’s like this—I just got my passport renewed,” Berkland said. “They sent me my passport. It’s very different from the passport I had before because they’re changing the format.”
