ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Nearly 20 years after the original requirements went into effect, Wednesday is the long-awaited deadline for Americans to be REAL ID compliant.

The REAL ID system streamlines security and information sharing in the name of safety. Each state has its own system for getting citizens into compliance and over 99% of Georgia citizens are.

“It really is so we know you are who you say you are,” said Gabriel Sterling, chief operating officer with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. “It’s taken a lot of time and effort and Georgia’s been way ahead of the game on this.”

Since Georgians are required to renew their licenses every eight years, anyone who has renewed their ID since 2012, when Georgia became compliant as a state, has a REAL ID. It can be identified by a small gold or black star inside a circle at the top right-hand corners of state-issued identification.

REAL ID is needed to enter onto U.S. military bases, federal buildings, nuclear facilities and to fly.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — the world’s busiest — airport officials and TSA were prepping for the deadline. They don’t expect any outrageous delays to REAL ID holders, but those without one should build in three hours to make their flight instead of the standard two hours the airport recommends.

Flyers can also get through security with a valid U.S. passport, military ID or tribal ID. Passengers without a REAL ID will be pulled to the side for additional security screenings and may risk not being allowed through security checkpoints. The airport recommends flyers without REAL ID bring some other proof of identification, like a birth certificate or Social Security card.

On Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kirsti Noem addressed Congress about the REAL ID deadline, telling members it would help to improve safety.

“We will make sure that it is as seamless as possible,” said Noem. “This law will be enforced and it will allow us to know individuals in this country, who they are and that they’re authorized to travel.”

Jon Clay, vice president of intelligence threats with Trend Micro, said it’s also primetime for scammers. He’s been tracking email and phone scams seeking people’s information and meant to take advantage of the urgent deadline.

“Certainly the scammers love that because now they can send you a text message, an email message, they could give you a phone call and say, you have to do this now,” said Clay. “The DMV is not going to call you, they’re not going to text you, so those mediums, you should just ignore those for sure.”

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