The deadline for Americans to obtain a Real ID is set to arrive on Wednesday after years of delays.

Starting Wednesday, every adult will need this specific type of identification to travel on domestic flights and access certain federal facilities, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The policy change comes from recommendations made in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

But with the policy about to be in place, many are still without these IDs and are scrambling to quickly secure one.

Here’s what you need to know about the Real ID deadline:

What is a Real ID?

The Real ID, unlike other forms of identification that people may carry like driver’s licenses, has certain security features that better help the federal government pick up fraudulent identities.

One defining feature of these IDs that can tell people if theirs is a Real ID is a star in the upper right corner of the card. Otherwise, these IDs will mostly look the same as a driver’s license.

Being able to easily board a commercial domestic flight is the most widespread use that people will have for these IDs, as a driver’s license will no longer be enough to have access starting Wednesday. They would also grant access to certain federal facilities like those for federal agencies.

But activities like accessing museums that don’t require identification or hospitals and participating in law enforcement........

© The Hill