The Documents Illinois Requires for Real ID

Illinois requires you to bring five categories of documents to the Secretary of State facility: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, proof of lawful status, and a completed process. You cannot complete the transaction without all five, and the documents must be originals or certified copies — photocopies alone will not work.

The specific documents you bring depend on your citizenship status and what you already hold. A U.S. citizen renewing a standard driver's license needs different paperwork than someone explore for their first Real ID or someone who is a lawful permanent resident. The Secretary of State's office will not accept expired documents for proof of identity or residency, though some documents (like your Social Security card) do not have expiration dates.

Bring more than the minimum if you have it. If your name has changed since you obtained an earlier document, bring evidence of that change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — because the name on every document must match or you will be asked to return with additional paperwork.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring originals or certified copies of documents proving identity, Social Security number, residency, lawful status, and a completed process form.
  • U.S. citizens need a birth certificate or passport for identity; permanent residents need their green card plus a birth certificate or passport.
  • Your proof of residency must show your current address and be dated within the last 60 days — utility bills, lease agreements, and mortgage statements all work.
  • If your name differs across documents, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change.
  • Photocopies are not accepted; you must bring originals or documents certified by the issuing agency.

Proof of Identity Documents

For U.S. citizens, the Secretary of State accepts a U.S. passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalization. The birth certificate must be a certified copy issued by the vital records office in the state or country where you were born — a hospital-issued birth certificate or a photocopy will not work. If you have a passport, bring it; it satisfies the identity requirement on its own and speeds up the process.

For lawful permanent residents (green card holders), bring your Permanent Resident Card (green card) plus a birth certificate or passport. The green card alone does not satisfy the identity requirement; you must also prove your country of origin or citizenship with a birth certificate or passport.

For other lawful status holders — including refugees, asylees, and people with Temporary Protected Status — bring the document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that proves your status, plus a birth certificate or passport. Examples include an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), an I-94 arrival/departure record, or a Notice of Action (I-797) showing your current status.

Do not bring a school ID, work ID, or state ID from another state as your primary identity document. These are not accepted as proof of identity for Real ID purposes.

Proof of Social Security Number

Bring your original Social Security card, or a document issued by the Social Security Administration showing your number. The card itself does not expire, so an old card is acceptable as long as the number is legible.

If you have lost your card or never received one, contact the Social Security Administration before your appointment to request a replacement. The Secretary of State office cannot issue or replace Social Security cards. You can request a replacement online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.

If you are a non-citizen and do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for one. This letter must be dated within the last 60 days.

Proof of Residency in Illinois

Your proof of residency must show your current street address in Illinois and be dated within the last 60 days. The Secretary of State accepts utility bills (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease agreement or rental contract, a mortgage statement, property tax records, a homeowner's insurance policy, or a bank or credit card statement showing your name and address.

A P.O. box address does not count as residency. If you live at a residential address but your mail goes to a P.O. box, bring a document showing the street address — a lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill — not the P.O. box statement.

If you have recently moved to Illinois and do not yet have a document dated within the last 60 days, bring a signed letter from your landlord or property manager on their letterhead confirming your move-in date and current address. The letter must include their contact information and be dated within the last 60 days.

Proof of Lawful Status in the United States

Your proof of lawful status depends on your citizenship or immigration status. U.S. citizens satisfy this requirement by bringing a birth certificate, passport, or Certificate of Naturalization — the same documents used for identity. You do not need a separate document.

Lawful permanent residents must bring their Permanent Resident Card (green card). Refugees and asylees must bring their I-94 arrival/departure record or a Notice of Action (I-797) from USCIS showing their status. People with Temporary Protected Status must bring their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or a Notice of Action showing TPS approval.

If you hold a visa (such as an H-1B, L-1, or F-1), bring your passport showing the visa stamp plus your I-94 arrival/departure record. Your visa alone does not prove lawful status; you must also show your I-94.

If your status document has expired, bring it anyway. The Secretary of State will accept an expired status document as long as you can show it was valid when you entered the U.S. or when your status was granted.

The process Form and Signature Requirements

Bring a completed process for a Real ID Compliant Driver's License or Identification Card (form DL 298). You can read and print this form from the Secretary of State website before your appointment, or you can complete it at the facility. Completing it beforehand saves time.

The form must be signed in person at the Secretary of State office. You cannot sign it ahead of time and bring it in. You will also be asked to provide your thumbprint during your appointment.

If you are renewing a Real ID that you already hold, you may be able to renew by mail or online depending on your age and how long it has been since your last in-person visit. Check the Secretary of State website to see if you are may be able to access for mail or online renewal; if you are, you will not need to bring documents in person.

Name Changes and Supporting Documents

If your name on your birth certificate or passport differs from your current legal name, bring the document that proves the change. This includes a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order for name change, or adoption decree. The document must be an original or certified copy.

If you have been married more than once, bring all marriage certificates and divorce decrees showing the progression of name changes. The Secretary of State uses these to verify that your current name is your legal name.

If you changed your name through a court order, bring the certified copy of the order issued by the court. A letter from your attorney or a photocopy is not sufficient.

What Happens If You Are Missing a Document

If you arrive without one of the five required categories, the Secretary of State office will not process your process. You will be told which document is missing and sent home to obtain it. You will then need to schedule another appointment or return during walk-in hours.

To avoid a wasted trip, contact the Secretary of State office before your appointment if you are unsure whether a document you have will be accepted. You can call the Real ID information line or visit a facility in advance with your documents to have them reviewed. Some facilities offer document review appointments specifically for this purpose.

If you cannot obtain a required document — for example, if your birth certificate was lost in a fire — contact the vital records office in the state where you were born to request a replacement. This process can take several weeks. In the meantime, you can continue to use a standard driver's license or ID card that is not Real ID compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a hospital-issued birth certificate instead of a certified copy?

No. The Secretary of State requires a certified copy issued by the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. A hospital-issued birth certificate or a photocopy will not be accepted. You can request a certified copy from the vital records office online, by mail, or in person; processing usually takes one to two weeks.

What if my name on my birth certificate does not match my current legal name?

Bring the document proving the legal change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The Secretary of State will use this to verify that your current name is your legal name. If you have changed your name multiple times, bring all documents showing each change.

Can I use a bank statement from three months ago as proof of residency?

No. Your proof of residency must be dated within the last 60 days. If your statement is older, bring a more recent one — a current utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. If you have recently moved, a signed letter from your landlord dated within the last 60 days will work.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card if I have a passport?

Yes. Your passport proves your identity and citizenship, but you must still bring your Social Security card or a document from the Social Security Administration showing your number. These are separate requirements.

What if I am a permanent resident and my green card is expired?

Bring your expired green card anyway. The Secretary of State will accept it as proof of lawful permanent resident status. You do not need to renew your green card with USCIS before obtaining your Real ID.