As the REAL ID deadline approaches, people rush to get appointments before travel

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The deadline for a REAL ID is May 7th, and many people are still unsure if they need one. After this date, a REAL ID will be required for domestic air travel and for accessing certain federal buildings.

However, if you do not plan to do either of these things, you do not need to get an updated ID right away.

But for many planning on flying for summer travel, getting the necessary ID has been a hassle.

Kembria Stokes is from Waukegan, over 200 miles from Decatur. She tried for three weeks to get an appointment for a REAL ID, but there was never one available. She came to Decatur to visit family and stayed an extra day because she thought getting an appointment may be easier.

"I called right at 6:30 a.m. and I was on hold, waiting and waiting and waiting," said Stokes. "So finally I submitted to be called back, and that seemed to go through faster. So I was called back and then we set up the appointment. "

Stokes said even with the appointment, it took a full hour to make it through the process. She was frustrated that it took so long, and now she will have to wait even longer to get the actual ID. Stokes has plans to fly this week, but doesn't know if she will be able to since it took so long to get an appointment and now she doesn't have her REAL ID yet.

"I've been approved to get one, but it's going to take time to receive the physical one," said Stokes. "So I was asking in the DMV, 'what issues would I encounter', and 'what would I need to do when I am ready to board my flight?' And they really don't know. So I guess I'll have to call the airline. I do have the paper copy but that's all I have at this point."

Other people we talked to as they left the DMV said it was difficult to know what paperwork to bring in, and that even with appointments, it took longer than they expected. Many said they woke up at 6:30 a.m., which is when daily appointments drop online, in order to get their REAL ID before planned travel.

"They said that typically it's like 10 to 15 business days to get the ID," said Tyler Bell, a Decatur resident who went to the DMV Monday to get an updated Driver's license with the REAL ID. "But because everyone is getting their real ID, they said it could be something like 4 to 6 weeks. After a month, if it doesn't show up in the mail, then shoot the DMV or the secretary of state office a call."

The Illinois Secretary of State website has several reminders that the May 7th deadline is only for those traveling or visiting federal buildings. They will continue to provide REAL IDs beyond that date.

For more information on who needs a REAL ID, and what paperwork is necessary, visit the Illinois Secretary of State's website.