Real ID

RealID is a federal government mandate affecting all air travelers in the United States effective May 7, 2025. You can read the TSA’s information on the RealID mandate here.

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois has engaged the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and has been told that all Veterans and Guardians traveling on Honor Flight will be required to show a RealID compliant ID to board the aircraft without exception.

Required ID

In order to participate in Honor Flight, all Veterans and Guardians MUST have one of the following:

  • REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
    • If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles.
    • A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.
  • State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
  • Permanent resident card
  • Border crossing card
  • An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
  • HSPD-12 PIV card
  • Foreign government-issued passport
  • Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

NOTE: Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri driver’s licenses are not automatically Real ID compliant. You must request a RealID compliant driver’s license at the DMV to get the Real ID star mentioned above. The procedure to do so in Illinois is detailed below.

The RealID requirement is NOT a Veterans Honor Flight policy, but rather a mandate by the Transportation Security Administration.

What is Real ID

Real ID is a nation-wide system to standardize the systems used to issue state ID cards and drivers licenses to ensure accuracy. Not all Illinois drivers licenses and Illinois ID cards  are Real ID compliant. 

Compliant Illinois Drivers License:

Real ID

Non-Compliant Illinois Drivers License:

Non- Real ID

If your Illinois drivers license is NOT COMPLIANT and you do NOT have a valid US Passport, you MUST obtain a Real ID compliant form of identification by the Real ID Deadline above to fly with Veterans Honor Flight.

How to Obtain a Real ID Driver’s License or ID Card in Illinois

Step 1: Visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility and take your photo and any required exams.
 
Step 2: All applicants must provide proof of identity. (Examples are: a certified U.S. birth certificate, a U.S. passport, an employment authorization document, a permanent resident card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form.) *Name change documents, such as certified copies of a marriage certificate, etc., will be required if the applicant presents a certified birth certificate with a name different from his/her current name. Please note: Multiple name change documents will be required if your name has changed multiple times.
 
Step 3: All applicants must provide proof of full Social Security number (SSN). (Examples are: an SSN card, a W-2 or a pay stub with full SSN.)
 
Step 4: All applicants must provide two current residency documents with the applicant’s name. (Examples are: a utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title or a bank statement. Account numbers must be visible.)
 
Step 5: All applicants must provide proof of signature. (Examples are: a credit/debit card, canceled check or current Illinois DL/ID.)
 
Step 6: Receive a temporary, secure paper DL/ID at the facility. *Please note that the TSA and federal agents will not accept the paper document.
 

Step 7: After review and verification of documents have been conducted, your new permanent REAL ID card will be mailed to you within 15 business days.

ID Check

In order to ensure all Honor Flight participants are able to fly on flight day, the Veterans Honor Flight staff will verify each Veteran and Guardian holds a valid Real ID.

Veterans must present their Real ID at Medical Evaluations.

Guardians must present their Real ID at Guardian Training.

Veterans and Guardians who do not show a compliant ID at Medical Evaluations or Guardian Training will be moved to Standby status for the flight until they provide a valid ID. Veterans and Guardians who have not verified their Real ID with Veterans Honor Flight by the Real ID Deadline for the appropriate flight will be removed from the flight.

Please note, Real ID is a federal program, and despite our best efforts, Honor Flight participants are not being excluded from the requirement by TSA.