SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — New REAL ID requirements for domestic air travel in the United States are officially in effect starting Wednesday, following nearly two decades of delays in implementation.

Ahead of the deadline, individuals across the country lined up at government offices to obtain their compliant IDs. Notably, in Chicago, officials set up a Real ID Supercenter to accommodate walk-in appointments. Meanwhile, California and various other states have extended their office hours to handle the surge in demand.

Marion Henderson of Jackson, Mississippi, represents many travelers by saying, "I’m here today so I won’t be right on the deadline, which is tomorrow," as she applied for her REAL ID on Tuesday.

On the eve of the enforcement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reassured travelers without a REAL ID that they would be able to fly, although they would face additional identity checks at security. However, this statement did little to quell the frustrations faced by many who waited in long lines to secure their IDs.

Michael Aceto, who waited for over two and a half hours at a DMV in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, "It’s a pain in the butt. It’s really a lot of time. Everybody’s got to take off from work to be here. It’s a big waste of time as far as I’m concerned."

In anticipation of potential delays, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a warning for individuals who do not possess REAL ID-compliant identification to arrive early at airports and prepare for advanced screening. The TSA mentioned that 81% of travelers already hold REAL IDs and that security checkpoints would still accept other forms of identification, such as passports and tribal IDs, as has been the case previously.

Noem informed a congressional panel that travelers without a REAL ID might be directed to a different line and subject to additional scrutiny, but emphasized that, "people will be allowed to fly." She assured the public that measures would be taken to ensure a "seamless" travel experience despite these new requirements.

The REAL ID initiative, conceived following the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations and enacted into law in 2005, is described as a more secure form of identification. Originally slated for implementation in 2008, the rollout faced numerous postponements over the years. "The whole idea here is to better validate those individuals that were encountering a checkpoint to ensure they are who exactly they say they are," said Thomas Carter, TSA's Federal Security Director in New Jersey.

Carter also advised those without a REAL ID to allocate extra time to pass through security checkpoints, noting that with the right preparation, missing a flight should not be an issue.

In addition to being essential for air travel, individuals will require a REAL ID to access certain federal buildings and facilities. State offices processing driver’s licenses and IDs have seen a significant spike in applications for REAL IDs, prompting them to extend their operating hours. Officials are now advising those who do not have immediate travel plans to consider postponing their applications for a REAL ID to avoid the current rush.

Erin Johnson, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, confirmed the demand for REAL IDs has nearly doubled, with applications rising from over 48,000 in February to more than 99,000 in April.