A basic driver’s license won’t be enough to get you through the security checkpoint at the Tri-Cities Airport beginning May 7. 

Almost 20 years after it was supposed to go into effect, the federal REAL ID Act will be enforced beginning next month. The law, a legacy of the Sept. 11 attacks, will now require air travelers 18 years and older to have personal identification that complies with more stringent requirements, such as Washington state’s enhanced driver’s license (EDL), a valid U.S. passport or U.S. military identification card. 

“Failure to obtain a REAL ID compliant identification before the deadline will result in delays through security, additional screening, and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint and therefore missing your flight,” warns airport officials in a release. 

Obtaining an EDL requires a resident to visit a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DVM) office with the required documentation, which includes proof of identity such as a birth certificate or valid passport; your Social Security Number and proof of residency, such as a utility bill or bank statement. 

DVM estimates that it takes between two to three weeks to process EDL applications and for the new card to reach its holder. Learn more about how to acquire an EDL.