Anyone flying out of the Santa Barbara Airport may want to double-check their wallet.

Starting May 7, the Transportation Security Administration will not accept identification that is not REAL ID compliant, meaning travelers may not be able to board domestic flights if they do not update their cards.

Identification cards are changing due to the REAL ID Act, which establishes federal standards for state ID cards. Under the law, cards must be compliant to fly domestically or enter certain federal facilities. California REAL ID driver’s licenses have a bear and star in the top right corner.

According to Angi Daus, a spokesperson for the Santa Barbara Airport, passengers who do not have an updated state ID by next week’s deadline may be able to fly if they have other forms of ID, like a passport, but the process could take much longer to verify their identity.

The other processes include paperwork approved by the TSA or going through the screening process. Daus warned that the process could take multiple hours, and even people who show up early could miss their flight.  

“They are going to attempt to still screen people through a similar process as if you… go on vacation and you lose your wallet or your wallet is stolen, and then you’re flying,” Daus said.  “You have to go through TSA with other forms of identification or go through the interview process. That’s a very lengthy process; it can take up to an hour or more.”

Daus said travelers should expect a longer security screening process in the coming weeks — even for people who have already obtained a REAL ID.

“We’re really, really stressing people arriving, not just early, but more than early. This is also going to slow down the TSA checkpoint,” Daus said. “Starting on May 7, even though they’re going to be increasing their staffing and creating a separate line for people that aren’t compliant, it is going to be throughout the country, not just in Santa Barbara, a pretty big impact.”

According to Martin Pehl, the general manager of the Santa Maria Public Airport District, he is hearing that many people have not obtained a REAL ID. He believes people arriving at the airport without one, after the May 7 deadline, could slow down service.

“Be aware that after May 7, if you don’t have a REAL ID or some other form of acceptable federally issued ID that you might not be able to fly domestically,” Pehl said.

A REAL ID can be obtained through the Department of Motor Vehicles, and residents must present documents showing their birthdate and full legal name.

The Santa Barbara Airport website has information about REAL ID and alternate forms of identification allowed for security screening.