Acceptable Documentation for Initial Vehicle Registrations

Effective January 1, 2027, Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-144 requires applicants seeking initial registrations for certain motor vehicles to provide documentation that the applicant is a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or a person whose presence in the United States has been authorized by the federal government for a specific purpose and for a specified period of authorized stay.

Documentation in either paper or electronic format is acceptable. Acceptable electronic formats include electronic images displayed on a cell phone or any other type of portable electronic device. All forms of proof must be unexpired.

Acceptable License Types

The following license types are deemed satisfactory proof for purposes of initial registration:

  • REAL ID-compliant license
  • Tennessee driver license
  • Tennessee temporary driver license
  • Tennessee photo identification license 
  • Tennessee temporary photo identification license

Acceptable Documentation of U.S. Citizenship

  • Official birth certificate issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Swain's Island, Guam) 
    • Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010, will NOT be recognized as proof of lawful U.S. citizenship
  • U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545)
  • Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the U.S. (FS-240)
  • Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport
  • Certificate of Citizenship (N560 or N561)
  • Certificate of Naturalization (N550, N570 or N578)
  • U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-197, I-179)

Acceptable Documentation of Lawful Permanent Resident Status 

  • Permanent Resident Alien Card (I-551)
  • Foreign passport stamped by the U.S. Government indicating that the holder has been "Processed for I-551"
  • Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit (I-327)
  • Arrival Departure Form I-94 with “Temporary I-551” stamp and holder’s photograph affixed
  • Travel Document issued to Refugees (I-571)
  • Form I-94 stamped with one of the following statuses: Asylee, Parolee or Parole, Refugee, Asylum, HP-humanitarian parolee or PIP-public interest parolee

Acceptable Documentation of Temporary Legal Presence

  • Conditional Resident Alien Card (I-551)
  • Valid Foreign Passport with Valid Visa and I-94 attached
    • Note: The passport must have an English translation
  • Valid Foreign Passport with I-94W attached
    • Holders of F1, F2, M1, or M2 status should also present a valid SEVIS I-20
    • Holders of J1 or J2 status should also present a valid DS-2019