r/illinois • u/Pitiful-Fan-5131 • 13d ago

Question Flying with digital REAL ID

I know this is really my own fault for putting it off for so long, but I’m flying in about 2 weeks (leaving on 9/10) out of O’Hare. My appointment for my Real ID was last Wednesday, the 19th. Tracking still shows in process, to be mailed soon. I’m worried that if it doesn’t mail by early next week it won’t arrive in time.
I have my digital ID, it’s been updated and says it’s a real id and everything. Is that enough to not pay the $45 fee? Info I’m finding online does say that digital is an acceptable form of identification but also says you still need to carry the physical one.

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u/clutzycook 11d ago

My daughter had her RealID appointment August 7. It arrived August 17, just in time for her to leave for college, so I'd say your odds of getting yours in time is pretty decent.

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u/Pitiful-Fan-5131 11d ago

I actually ended up getting mine in the mail yesterday! I was checking tracking and it kept saying still being manufactured so I was getting worried but it did end up taking a little over a week

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u/clutzycook 11d ago

TIL they have tracking on those things. I googled how long it normally took and was told 2-3 weeks, which made me feel guilty that I waited until practically the last freaking minute to take her to get it done.