ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Security lines stretched through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Sunday morning, as tons of travelers faced a looming deadline.

On Wednesday, a REAL ID will be required to fly domestically.

Georgia first started issuing REAL IDs in 2012, as flyers can check the top right corner of their driver’s license for a black or gold star to confirm compliance.

Travelers without a REAL ID are being urged to act quickly. The Georgia Department of Driver Services is advising residents to schedule an appointment sooner rather than later.

Without a REAL ID, passengers must present an alternative form of identification, such as a valid passport or military ID.

REAL ID will also be required for access to military bases and federal buildings, including courthouses.

Lisa Farbstein is a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration. She says these changes are designed to strengthen security and prevent future attacks.

“The Improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification,” Farbstein said. “Such as what happened on 9/11.”

Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 in response to security gaps discovered after the events of September 11th, 2001.

Patricia Mancha is another TSA spokeswoman, who noted that enforcement will begin gradually to ease the transition.

“There’s going to be a phased approach of enforcement,” she said. “People may still use a valid passport or military ID if they don’t have their REAL ID by Wednesday.”

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport officials are urging travelers to arrive early and double-check their documents in order to avoid delays on Wednesday.

Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.