REAL ID
The REAL ID Act of 2005 established minimum security standards for license issuance and production. These standards provide an additional level of security to protect your identity. It also prohibits Federal agencies from accepting driver licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet the Act’s minimum standards. Beginning May 7, 2025, everyone must have a REAL ID license or passport to enter certain Federal buildings, military bases and nuclear power plants or board commercial flights within the United States.
How to make an appointment for real id?
Federal law requires REAL ID applications to be made in person. If you have a Tennessee Driver License or ID, you can apply for a REAL ID at a Driver Services Center or participating County Clerks. If you do not have a Tennessee Driver License or ID, you can apply for a REAL ID at a full-service Driver Services Center.
Save time at the Driver Services Center by scheduling an appointment to get your REAL ID.
How much will it cost?
A REAL ID will cost the same as current a Tennessee driver license or photo ID. If it is time to renew your license, the cost to obtain a REAL ID driver license or photo ID will be the standard renewal fee of an 8-year credential. However, if you are not within your renewal period and you wish to obtain a REAL ID compliant credential, you will be charged a duplicate fee. For a list of credential costs click here.
Required Documents
If there has been a name change from the Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Presence presented, a certified legal document supporting the name change must be presented. This may require the presentation of multiple documents. Examples of supporting documents:
- Marriage Certificate
- Divorce decree
- Court Order
Acceptable Documents for 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.
- The government of Puerto Rico has provided information for citizens to apply for new birth certificates
- U.S. Government-issued Certified Birth Certificate
- 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 Documents for 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 Permanent Residents (I-327)
- 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
Applicant must furnish their Social Security Number. If it is not known, one (1) of the following
approved documents showing applicant's name and full Social Security Number is acceptable:
- Social Security Card
- W-2 - (within last 12 months)
- 1099 - (within last 12 months)
- Payroll check stub
Two (2) Documents from List A
-OR-
One (1) Document from List A and One (1) Document from List B
List A - Acceptable Proofs of Residency
- Current Utility Bill – This includes landline telephone, electric, water, gas, and cable bills.
- Current Bank Statement - Internet bank statements are acceptable only if taken to the local bank, stamped and dated by teller as an active account. Checks and checkbook information are NOT acceptable.
- Current Rental/Mortgage Contract or Receipt including the Deed of Sale for property.
- 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.
- Current Automobile, Life or Health Insurance Policy - Wallet Cards will NOT be accepted.
- Current Driver License/ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to a parent, legal guardian or spouse of applicant.
- Current Tennessee Motor Vehicle Registration or Title (may use one, not both)
- Current Tennessee Voter Registration Card
- Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form within last 12 months.
- 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.
List B - Acceptable Proofs of Residency
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service
- Form I-94 issued to the applicant by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
- Employment Authorization card (I-766) issued to the applicant by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
- I-551 issued to the applicant by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
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.
If you have a Tennessee Commercial Driver License, you will need to present the following documents when applying for a REAL ID:
- Proof to establish citizenship or legal presence:
- Official birth certificate issued by a State Office or Vital Statistic or equivalent with a raised seal and/or color seal
- U.S. Certificate of Consular Report of Birth Abroad (DS-1350, FS-240 or FS-545)
- Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
- Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570 or N-578)
- Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card issued by DHS or INS (I-551)
- Unexpired foreign passport with valid U.S. visa and approved I-94 form
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Document issued by Department of Homeland Security (I-766 or I-688B)
- Proof of your FULL Social Security Number:
- Social Security Card
- Payroll check stub
- W-2 form for current tax year or dated within last twelve (12) months
- 1099 form for current tax year or dated within last twelve (12) months
- TWO proofs of residence:
- Current utility bill including telephone, electric, water, gas, cable, etc.
- Current Tennessee vehicle registration or certificate of title showing Tennessee address (may use one, not both)
- Mortgage papers including property deed or mortgage payment coupon or book
- Copy of Lease Agreement or contract with notarized signatures OR accompanied by signed realty agency letterhead confirming lease validity
- Voter registration card (application for voter registration not accepted)
- Military LES papers listing Tennessee as home of record (this is ONLY document that won't have the address)
Note: You should also be prepared to provide documentation of any name changes that may have occurred. This may require presentation of multiple documents.
Note: All documents must be originals or certified. No photocopies will be accepted.
Note: All CDL License holders are required to have a valid DOT Medical on file with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security or in their possession at the time of visiting the Driver Services Center.
Note: These documents will be required even if you are already a Tennessee license holder and are applying for a REAL ID for the first time or if you are a new Tennessee resident and were previously issued a REAL ID in a different state.
Uploading online
If you are a current Tennessee resident, you can skip the line by uploading your required documents online and using a kiosk.
FAQs
The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. The purposes covered by the Act are: accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power facilities,
and boarding commercial aircraft for domestic flights.
A REAL ID compliant driver license or ID credential will appear very similar to your existing driver license or ID credential. The distinguishing difference is a black circle with a star in the right corner.
REAL ID CREDENTIAL
REAL ID compliant driver licenses and Identification credentials have a black circle with a star in the right corner of the license to indicate it is REAL ID compliant.
STANDARD ID CREDENTIAL
Non-REAL ID driver licenses and identification credentials display the phrase, "NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES" on the front of the credential.
The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. The purposes covered by the Act are: accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power facilities, and boarding commercial aircraft for domestic flights.
A Tennessee credential is either a driver license or identification (ID) card issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Driver Services Division.
A REAL ID compliant driver license or ID card is a credential that can be used for activities such as boarding a commercial domestic flight or entering certain federal facilities in addition to normal license or ID use.
It is your choice to get a REAL ID license. If you fly domestically and simply want the convenience of carrying your driver license or ID credential to board your flights or if you do not have another Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved alternative form of identification, you may want to obtain a REAL ID so your travel plans are not affected.
Appointments for REAL ID are available and encouraged. Scheduling an appointment allows a customer to be served at a Driver Services Center on a specific day and time. To make a REAL ID appointment, click the button below and select "REAL ID Appointment."
No. You will be issued a paper interim REAL ID compliant credential. If you need a REAL ID compliant credential for an upcoming trip, please allow enough time before to receive your hard copy in the mail. A paper credential may not be accepted by TSA. Please contact TSA to inquire if a paper copy is accepted. The hard copy will arrive in 10-20 days at the mailing address you provided.
The decision to get a REAL ID credential is completely up to you. It is not required for any other reason than to allow you to continue to fly domestically and access certain federal facilities after May 7, 2025. For example, you may decide to not get a REAL ID if you already have a passport or another TSA approved alternative form of identification. Until May 7, 2025, our currently issued Tennessee Driver License and/or ID credential is acceptable.
No. There is no need to rush into a Driver Services Center. A valid Tennessee Driver License or ID credential will be accepted by the TSA to board a commercial domestic flight and by federal agents to enter secure federal facilities until May 7, 2025. Additionally, if you have a valid U.S. passport or U.S. passport card, military ID, or other federally approved form of identification, you may continue to use this as your form of identification after May 7, 2025, for federal purposes.
Minors are eligible to obtain a REAL ID compliant driver license or an ID credential. Minors that have a current driver license or ID credential have the same choice as existing license holders and can obtain a REAL ID compliant credential by following the same process as adult drivers.
Please visit the TSA website for guidelines on travel by minors.
You will be issued a regular Class D Driver License or ID credential. It will have the phrase "NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES" printed on the front of the credential. The general use of a regular or REAL ID driver license or ID credential will not change. The only difference is that a REAL ID driver license or ID credential will allow you to board commercial domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities beginning May 7, 2025.
"Not for REAL ID Act Purposes" means that a credential is not REAL ID compliant and you will not be able to use the credential to board a commercial domestic aircraft, enter a federal facility or visit a nuclear facility after May 7, 2025.
Any REAL ID compliant credential issued from another state can be transferred, however all documentation requirements must be met to be issued a Tennessee REAL ID credential.
No. The federal government does not have a federal database storing REAL ID information. Tennessee securely stores your REAL ID information with your driving record information.
There is no electronic chip or other electronic device in a Tennessee Driver License or ID credential.
You can find the current and comprehensive list of all acceptable alternative documents on the TSA website. You may also contact your airline for specific questions about identification requirements for traveling.
No. You must choose between a REAL ID compliant driver license or a REAL ID identification credential.
When REAL ID compliant licenses and ID credentials are available, your first or initial application for a REAL ID compliant driver license or ID credential must be done in person at a Driver Services Center or participating County Clerk Offices across Tennessee. After receiving your REAL ID compliant credential, you may be able to use the online renewal service, Self Service Kiosks, visit a County Clerk Office or the mail-in option to renew or be issued a duplicate of your REAL ID compliant credential.
No. There are no knowledge or skills testing requirements to apply for a REAL ID complaint driver license credential if you currently have a valid driver license. Use the following link to find a complete list of requirements to obtain a REAL ID credential.
A REAL ID compliant driver license or ID credential is not mandatory and some people may find they do not need one. If they have a valid passport or if they do not plan to fly commercially, enter a federal facility or visit a nuclear facility, a REAL ID may not be necessary.
Some questions to consider when deciding:
Do you fly on domestic commercial aircraft?
Do you need to access a federal facility or nuclear facility?
If the answer is yes either or both, you should consider obtaining a REAL ID complaint credential.
Beginning May 7, 2025, travelers will need to present a REAL ID compliant driver license or ID credential or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, in order to board commercial aircraft. If the traveler cannot provide an acceptable form of identification, they will not be permitted through the security checkpoint.