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Please note that if you choose to use the County Clerk’s office to obtain a REAL ID, only our downtown courthouse location (625 Georgia Ave., Room 201) processes REAL IDs.

 

625 Georgia Avenue
Room 201
Chattanooga, TN 37402

 

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 7, 2025, all persons 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID license or a valid unexpired U.S. passport for accessing certain Federal buildings, entering nuclear facilities or military bases, and boarding commercial flights within the United States.

 

***REAL ID FACT SHEET

 

What REAL ID is not?—A REAL ID license is not required to drive, vote, prove identification when making purchases, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal courts, or apply for and receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans’ benefits.

 

Please note:

  • Standard driver license holders not needing a REAL ID can continue to renew as done in the past.

  • Obtaining a REAL ID requires having a current Tennessee driver license or identification. The clerk's office is unable to do a first time driver license or identification.

  • CDL holders must visit a local Driver License Testing Station to apply for a REAL ID.

  • Transferring a REAL ID driver license from another state is a TN Department of Safety function and must be handled at one of the Driver License Testing Stations. Click for important information for NEW RESIDENTS.

 

1) REAL ID requirements — You will need to present the following documents when applying for a REAL ID:

 

  • Proof to establish citizenship or legal presence (If there has been a name change from the Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence presented, certified legal document supporting name change must be presented. This may require presentation of multiple documents. Examples of supporting documents: Marriage Certificate, Divorce decree, and/or Court order.)
  • Proof of social security number is not required as long as the SSN can be verified in the state Driver’s License system. Applicants are encouraged to bring proof of SSN to avoid delay
  • Two proofs of Tennessee residency

 

All documents must be originals or certified. NO Photocopies will be accepted.

 

View the State’s 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.

 

2) Replacements—No documentation is needed if applicants have their photo in the Department of Safety’s driver license database. Duplicates may also be processed online at https://dl.safety.tn.gov/_/

3) Name Change——(Last Name Only due to marriage or divorce)—Applicants must bring their original legal document that creates the name change, such as the divorce decree or marriage certificate. The State does not accept copies.

4) Address Change——Applicants must bring their current Tennessee driver license or identification and two proofs of Tennessee residency. View the State’s complete list of document options to apply for a REAL ID compliant credential.

 

Courthouse Notes:

a) Application for a first time REAL ID must be made at a Driver Services Center or our courthouse location. Our courthouse location is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

b) Services are subject to a $4.00 fee. Transactions require cash, MasterCard, American Express, Visa, or Discover. No checks.

 

Bonny Oaks Tag and Title Office Kiosk

 

First time REAL IDs cannot be processed at our Bonny Oaks satellite office. Please visit either a Driver Service Center or our courthouse location.

 

A self-service Driver License kiosk located in the lobby of the Bonny Oaks Tag & Title office is maintained by the Tennessee Department of Safety.
The kiosk offers the following services while you wait:

1) Renewals of REAL ID compliant driver license, identification card, and non-compliant driver license and identification cards —Applicant must bring their current license.

2) Replacements of REAL ID compliant driver license, identification card, and non-compliant driver license and identification cards —No documentation is needed if the applicant has their photo in the Department of Safety’s driver license database.

 

Bonny Oaks Notes:

a) REAL ID issuance cannot be processed at the kiosk.

b) Address changes can only be processed at the kiosk when part of a renewal or duplicate. It cannot be processed as an independent activity. Applicants may also apply for limited services at https://dl.safety.tn.gov/_/

c) The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

d) Kiosk transactions require MasterCard, Visa, Discover or debit card.

 

For more information about State of Tennessee Driver Services, Driver Licenses, and ID visit their website.

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