Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The federal REAL ID deadline is less than six months away, and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is hosting a pop-up enrollment event at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport on Thursday. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is by appointment only and offers residents a chance to apply for a REAL ID, renew driver’s licenses, and update vehicle registrations.

As of the May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security will require airline passengers to present a REAL ID to board a domestic flight or enter federal buildings such as military bases and federal courts. The Springfield pop-up follows similar efforts at airports in Bloomington, Peoria, and other cities across Illinois.

Customers planning to apply for a REAL ID are encouraged to access the office’s interactive checklist to ensure they bring the correct documentation. Required documents include:

  1. Either a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Naturalization Certificate, Report of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, an employment authorization document, a permanent resident card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form is also acceptable. If you’ve changed your name, you’ll need to provide name change documents.
  2. Proof of a full Social Security number (SSN). Examples include: a Social Security card, a W-2 or a pay stub with your full SSN.
  3. Two current residency documents that list your full name. Examples include: a utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title or a bank statement.
  4. Proof of your signature. Examples include: a signed credit or debit card, canceled check, or current state driver’s license or state ID.

More information is available online at ilsos.gov. Appointments can be made by emailing mobiledmv@ilsos.gov.