Proof of Tennessee Residency

The documents you bring must show your name and the current residential address you used on your application or the name of your spouse, parent or legal guardian. If the document has the name of a spouse, parent or legal guardian and not the applicant, proof of relationship will be required ie a birth or marriage certificate. If you bring a document that contains your name but does not contain your residential address, that document will NOT be accepted.

The documents you present may NOT be from the same source. For example, a water bill and gas bill from the same utility company would be considered the same source. A Tennessee vehicle registration and certificate of title would also be the same source.

All documents are required to be current, issued within the past four (4) months. Internal Revenue Service documents must be from the current tax year.

NOTE: All documents are subject to verification with the issuing agency or source. Documents subject to verification may delay the issuance of your license.

NOTE: All items must be original documents. No photocopies will be accepted. 

To Prove Tennessee Residency, Applicants Must Provide the Following:

Note: Current means the document must be dated within the last four (4) months, unless otherwise specified.

  • Mortgage Contract or Receipt including the Deed of Sale for property.
  • Rental leases that contain wet (ink) or electronic signatures may be accepted as
    one (1) proof of residency only if accompanied by a signed letter from the
    landlord dated within the last 30 days.

Note: A second acceptable proof of residency from the approved document list is still required.

Landlord Letter Requirements

• Must confirm that the lease is current, valid, and in effect

• Must NOT be handwritten

• Be one of the following:

• Printed on the landlord’s official letterhead, or 

• Include a notarized landlord signature if letterhead is not provided (Notarization is not required if letterhead is present)

Lease Requirements
To be considered valid, the lease must include ALL of the following:

• Tenant’s (customer’s) name

• Rental address

• Lease terms (such as rent amount)

• Effective lease dates

• Signatures of both the tenant (customer) and the landlord

  • Current Utility Bill – This includes landline telephone, electric, water, gas, and cable bills.
  • Current Bank Statement - Checks and checkbook information are NOT acceptable.
  • Current employer verification of residence address or letter from employer as long as it is on company letterhead with an original signature. If employer does not have letterhead, then the signature of the employer must be notarized.
  • Current Paycheck/Check Stub, Work ID or Badge – residential address must be included on the badge or document. Cannot be the same company as Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form.
  • Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form within last 12 months. Cannot be the same company as Paycheck/Check Stub, Work ID or Badge.
  • Unexpired Automobile, Life or Health Insurance Policy - Wallet Cards will NOT be accepted.
  • Unexpired Driver License/ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to a parent, legal guardian or spouse of applicant.
  • Unexpired Tennessee Motor Vehicle Registration or Title (may use one, not both)
  • Tennessee Voter Registration Card
  • Receipt for Personal Property or Real Estate Taxes paid within last 12 months.
  • In case of a student enrolled in a public or private school in Tennessee, the student may provide a photo student ID and acceptable documentation from the Dean or Bursar’s Office that the student lives on campus.

Acceptable Proof of Residency for Homeless or Shelter Residents

This affidavit will be accepted as the secondary proof of residency document evidencing your principal residence address in Tennessee.