Several county offices are already issuing new Real ID driver licenses.
Bill Knowles, county clerk for Hamilton County, said, "We are scheduled to receive training and gain state connectivity this month."
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) Driver Services Division began issuing Real ID driver license and identification cards July 1.
Starting Thursday, Tennessee residents have four new avenues to obtain a Real ID rather than visiting a Driver Services Center. Wilson, Jefferson, Union and Grainger County clerk offices
are now able to issue Real ID driver license and identification cards. The remaining participating county clerk offices will be able to issue Real ID driver license and identification cards later
this month once their training is complete.
“Our main priority is to offer convenient and efficient customer service for citizens seeking driver license services across our state,” said Commissioner Jeff Long. “By partnering with
participating county clerk offices to issue Real IDs in addition to the other services they already provide, residents have an alternate method to our department’s core services, which will
reduce wait times at the Driver Services Centers. We encourage those wishing to get a Real ID to take advantage of the county clerk services.”
Participating county clerks offer services such as renewal, duplicate, or change of address to a Tennessee driver license, update of your photo on your identification, register to vote,
renewal of a handgun carry permit, in addition to Real ID.
Please note, in addition to required state fees, county clerks will charge an additional $4.00 administrative fee to cover operational costs.
· Grainger County: 8095 Rutledge Pike #103 Rutledge, Tennessee 37861
· Jefferson County: 214 West Main Street Dandridge, Tennessee 37725
· Union County: 825 Main Street Maynardville, Tennessee 37807
· Wilson County: 129 South College Street Lebanon, Tennessee 37087
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. Citizens of Tennessee are not mandated to get a Real ID, it is purely optional. However beginning Oct. 1, 2020, all persons must have a REAL ID license to board commercial flights within the United States, access certain federal buildings or to enter nuclear facilities and military bases. Should a citizen choose not to get a Real ID, a valid U.S. passport or U.S. Military ID are examples of acceptable forms of identification that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will accept. For a full list of acceptable forms of identification should you choose not to get a REAL ID or passport, please visit (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification). This law is a secure way for citizens to protect their identities.
Anyone wishing to obtain a Real ID must have a valid license and proof of the following documents (All documents presented must be originals or certified. No photocopies will be accepted):
· Proof to establish citizenship or legal presence;
· Proof of your full Social Security Number;
· Two proofs of Tennessee Residency;
**Please be prepared to provide documentation of any name change.**
For more information, including a full list of acceptable documents for Real ID visit www.TNRealID.gov.