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What Is REAL ID?
License
License

 

What Is REAL ID?

The REAL ID Act of 2005 establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. Beginning May 3, 2023, all persons must have a REAL ID license for accessing certain Federal buildings, entering nuclear facilities, and boarding commercial flights within the United States.

REAL ID CREDENTIAL

REAL ID compliant driver licenses and Identification credentials have a gold 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. 

*If you are using Internet Explorer and the sample licenses are not showing correctly, please maximize your browsing window or use a different browser. 

You do NOT need a REAL ID to:

  • Drive
  • Vote
  • Purchase alcohol or cigarettes
  • Access hospitals
  • Visit the post office
  • Access federal courts
  • Apply for or receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans’ benefits

You are not required to get a REAL ID compliant license or Identification credential. However, some reasons you may wish to upgrade your Tennessee driver license or ID to REAL ID include:

Access

Beginning May 3, 2023, you must have a REAL ID compliant credential, passport, or other TSA approved alternative form of identification to board commercial flights within the United States, access federal buildings, or enter nuclear power plants.

Security 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.

Options

Tennesseans are not required to obtain a REAL ID compliant license. The decision to get a REAL ID credential is completely up to you. A REAL ID driver license or Identification credential is not required for any other reason than to allow you to continue to fly domestically within the United States and access certain federal facilities after May 3, 2023.

A REAL ID will cost the same as current Tennessee licenses and IDs. If it is time to renew your license, the cost to obtain a REAL ID driver license or Identification credential 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, view the cost table below.

Federal law requires that your first application for a REAL ID compliant credential be made in person. You can apply for a REAL ID compliant credential at a location listed below.  Before visiting any of these locations to apply for a REAL ID, please review the required documents at https://www.tn.gov/tnrealid/get-real-id.html you will need to bring with you.

You will need to present the following documents when applying for a REAL ID:

  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence 
  • Proof of your full Social Security Number
  • Two proofs of Tennessee residency

*You should also be prepared to provide documentation of any name changes that may have occurred. This may require presentation of multiple documents.

All documents must be originals or certified. No photocopies will be accepted.

 View the complete list of document options to apply for a REAL ID compliant credential.

These documents will be required even if you are already a Tennessee license or ID holder and are applying for a REAL ID compliant credential for the first time or if you are a new Tennessee resident and were previously issued a REAL ID in a different state.

If you have not been previously issued a Tennessee driver license or ID, visit:

After being issued your first REAL ID compliant credential, you may renew online, use a Self-Service Kiosk or visit a County Clerk Office for renewal. Again, for this information and more visit Tn Department of Safety and Homeland Security at https://www.tn.gov/tnrealid/get-real-id.html.