1. a) An applicant applying for a Real ID compliant driver's license or identification card for the first time in the State of Illinois must present one document from each of Group A, B, C and E, as well as two documents from Group D. If an applicant's current name is different than the name that appears on the document presented for proof of identity/date of birth (Group A), the applicant must present a document linking the current name to the name on the Group A document (i.e., marriage certificate, divorce decree).
2. b) An applicant applying for a duplicate Real ID driver's license or identification card must present one form of identification from Group A.
3. c) An applicant applying for a corrected Real ID compliant driver's license or identification card due to an address change must present two documents from Group D. An applicant who requests a change in name, date of birth, social security number or gender must provide acceptable identification to create a link pertaining to the change between the previous information and the new information.
4. d) A U.S. citizen renewing a current or expired (less than one year) Real ID Illinois driver's license or identification card need only present the expiring or recently expired (less than one year) credential. An applicant other than a U.S. citizen renewing a current or expired (less than one year) Real ID Illinois driver's license or identification card must present current proof of lawful status and the expiring or recently expired (less than one year) credential. If an applicant does not possess the expiring or recently expired (less than one year) credential, the applicant must present one document from Group A. If requesting a change of address, the applicant must also present two documents from Group D. An applicant who requests a change in name, date of birth, social security number or gender must provide acceptable identification to create a link pertaining to the change between the previous information and the new information.

5. e) Documents of identification that are acceptable for the purpose of obtaining a Real ID compliant driver's license, permit or identification card are listed by group. Photocopies will not be accepted. All acceptable documents presented for verification or proof must be valid (current and not expired). Hard copy documents are required; images from a cell phone are not accepted (an applicant may print the image (e.g., bank statement) and provide the printed copy).

   1. 1) GROUP A − Written Signature

      Canceled Check (dated within 90 days prior to application)

      Cooperative Driver Testing Program Certificate

      Court Order

      Credit Card/Debit Card – Major Brand (American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa)

      Driver's License issued by an agency of the United States Government (e.g., Department of State)

      Foreign Passport

      Identification Card issued by an agency of the United States Government

      Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Identification Card Verification Form

      Illinois Department of Corrections Identification Card Verification Form

      Illinois Driver's License/Identification Card

      Medicare Card – with suffix A, J, H, M or T

      Mortgage or Installment Loan Documents

      Out-of-state Driver's License/Identification Card

      Social Security Card

      Temporary Driver's License/Commercial Learner's Permit/Identification

      Card

      United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

      forms:

      I-551 (Permanent Resident Card)

      I-766 (Employment Authorization Card)

      I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) with Valid Passport

      United States Military Driver's License/Identification Card

      United States Passport or Passport Card

      United States Military Service Record (e.g., DD214)

   2. 2) GROUP B − Proof of Identity/Date of Birth

      Certificate of Citizenship issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Form N-560 or Form N-561

      Certificate of Naturalization issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Form N-550 or Form N-570

      Certified copy of a birth certificate filed with a State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the individual's state of birth

      Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350 or DS-545

      Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Form I-766 or Form I-688B

      Foreign passport with a U.S. visa affixed, accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicant's most recent admittance to the United States

      Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

      Real ID driver's license or identification card issued in compliance with the standards of 6 CFR 37

      United States Passport or passport card

   3. 3) GROUP C − Social Security Number. With the exception of a verified Illinois driver's license or identification card, all documents must contain the name and full name and full social security number.

      Non-SSA-1099 Form

      Pay stub or electronic deposit receipt bearing the applicant's name and full social security number

      Social Security Card

      SSA-1099 Form

      W-2

   4. 4) GROUP D − Residency. All documents must contain full residential address. A document listed in Group A, B or C that contains the full residential address is acceptable as proof of residency.

      Bank Statement (dated within 90 days prior to application)

      Canceled Check (dated within 90 days prior to application)

      Certified Grade/High School/College/University Transcript

      Credit Card Statement (dated within 90 days prior to application) – American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa

      Credit Report issued by Experian, Equifax or TransUnion − dated within 12 months prior to application

      Deed/Title, Mortgage, Rental/Lease Agreement

      Insurance Policy (Homeowner's or Renter's)

      Letter on Official School Letterhead − dated within 90 days prior to application

      Medical claim or statement of benefits from private insurance company or public (government) agency, dated within 90 days prior to application

      Official mail received from a state, county, city or village or a federal government agency that includes first and last name of the applicant and complete current address. This may include, but is not limited to:

      Homestead Exemption Receipt

      Jury Duty Notice issued within 90 days prior to application

      Selective Service Card

      Social Security Annual Statement

      Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Statement

      Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits Statement

      Voter Registration Card

      Pay Stub or Electronic Deposit Receipt

      Pension or Retirement Statement

      Phone book, current, produced by a phone book publisher

      Report Card from Elementary, Middle or Secondary School or College/University

      Tuition invoice or other official mail from a college or university dated within the 12 months prior to application

      Utility Bill − electric, water, refuse, telephone (land or cell), cable or gas, issued within 90 days prior to application

   5. 5) GROUP E − United States Citizenship or Lawful Status (originals or certified copies are required)

      Certificate of Citizenship issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Form N-560 or Form N-561.

      Certificate of Naturalization issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Form N-550 or Form N-570

      Certified copy of a birth certificate filed with a State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the individual's state of birth

      Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350 or DS-545

      Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Form I-766 or Form I-688B

      Foreign passport with a United States visa affixed, accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicant's most recent admittance to the United States

      Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

      United States Passport or Passport Card

6. f) After review of all identification presented, Driver Services or Secretary of State management has the right to accept or refuse any document.
7. g) An applicant applying for a no-fee identification card who is homeless must present one document from each of Group A, B, C, and E and a homeless status certification, as described in Section 1030.12, to satisfy the requirements for Group D.
8. h) A justice of the United States Supreme Court or Illinois Supreme Court, judge of the United States Court of Appeals, judge and magistrate judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court, justice of the Illinois Appellate Court, and judge and associate judge of the Illinois Circuit Courts who wishes to change his or her residence address or mailing address to his or her business address, pursuant to the Judicial Privacy Act [705 ILCS 90], is required to present only a Secretary of State Request to Suppress Personal Information form as proof of residency.
9. i) An administrative law judge as defined in Section 1-15 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act who wishes to change the residence address or mailing address to their business address, pursuant to the Judicial Privacy Act [705 ILCS 90], is required to present only a Secretary of State Request to Suppress Personal Information − Administrative Law Judge form as proof of residency.
10. j) A peace officer who wishes to change his or her residence address or mailing address to his or her business address pursuant to IVC Section 6-110(a-5) is required to present only a Secretary of State Request to Change Residence/Mailing Address form and his or her peace officer badge.
11. k) An applicant for a Real ID driver's license or identification card who is under the age of 18 may submit a document from Group D issued to the applicant's parent or guardian.

12. l) Unacceptable identification documents include, but are not limited to:

    Bond Receipt or Bail/Bond Card

    Business Cards

    Check Cashing Cards

    Club or Fraternal Membership Cards

    College or University Identification Cards

    Commercially Produced (non-State or unofficial) ID Cards

    DHS (Department of Human Services) Cards or documents issued by DHS

    Fishing License

    HFS (Healthcare and Family Services) Cards

    Handwritten ID or Employment Cards

    Hunting License

    Illinois Concealed Carry Card

    Illinois FOID Card

    Instruction Permit/Receipts

    Insurance Card

    Library Card

    Personal Mail

    Traffic Citation (Arrest Ticket)

    Unlicensed Financial Institution Loan Papers

    Video Club Membership Cards

    Wallet IDs

    Unlicensed Financial Institution Loan Papers

Any document submitted to the Secretary in a language other than English must be accompanied by a full English translation certified by the translator as complete and accurate. Additionally, the translator must provide a dated, written, and signed certification affirming their competence to translate from the foreign language to English.

(Source: Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 4373, effective March 4, 2026)