Views of Hamilton County

REAL ID


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.

 

 

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 – What You Need to Bring

    Applying for a REAL ID? Before you visit the Hamilton County Clerk’s office at 625 Georgia Ave, Rm 201, make sure you have the required documents.

    Bring These 4 Documents:
    • ONE Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Presence
      Bring one of the following:
      • U.S. Birth Certificate issued by a State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent.
        Must be an original or certified copy.
        Photocopies are not accepted.
      • Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport or Passport Card
      • U.S. Certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad
        FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545

      Has your name changed?
      If the name on your current documents is different from the name shown on your citizenship or legal presence document, bring certified documents connecting each name change, such as:
      • Marriage Certificate
      • Divorce Decree
      • Court Order or other legal name-change document

      You may need more than one document to connect your current name to the name shown on your birth certificate or other citizenship document.

    • ONE Proof of Your Full Social Security Number
      Your document must show your full Social Security Number.
      Bring one of the following:
      • Social Security Card
      • W-2
      • 1099
      • Payroll Check Stub

    • TWO Proofs of Tennessee Residency
      Bring two documents showing your name and complete physical Tennessee address.
      Unless otherwise noted, documents must be dated within the last 4 months.

      Examples of acceptable documents include:
      • Utility Bill
        Electric, water, gas, cable, or landline telephone
      • Bank Statement
        Checks and checkbook information are not accepted
      • Mortgage Contract, Mortgage Receipt, or Deed of Sale
      • Rental Lease Agreement with required Landlord Letter
      • W-2 Form issued within the last 12 months
      • Automobile, Life, or Health Insurance Policy
      • Tennessee Driver License or ID, when applicable
      • Tennessee Vehicle Registration OR Tennessee Title
        You may use one, but not both as your two proofs
      • Tennessee Voter Registration Card
      • Receipt for Personal Property or Real Estate Taxes paid within the last 12 months


      Renting Your Home?

      A rental lease counts as only one proof of residency and must be accompanied by a landlord letter.

      Your Lease Must Include:
      • Tenant's name
      • Rental address
      • Lease terms, such as the rent amount
      • Effective lease dates
      • Signatures of both the tenant and landlord

      Your Landlord Letter Must:
      • Confirm that the lease is current, valid, and in effect
      • Not be handwritten
      • Be dated within the last 30 days
      • Be printed on the landlord's official letterhead OR
      • Include a notarized landlord signature if letterhead is not available

      You will still need a second acceptable proof of Tennessee residency.

    Before You Visit

    Please remember:
    • ✓ Bring original documents or certified copies
    • ✓ Photocopies and screenshots are not accepted
    • ✓ Documents with expiration dates must be unexpired
    • ✓ Make sure your residency documents show your complete physical Tennessee address
    • ✓ If your name has changed, bring the documents needed to connect your current name to your citizenship or legal presence document
    • ✓ County Clerk Staff may request additional documentation when necessary to meet state requirements

  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:

  1. You must have a Tennessee drivers license/Identification to apply for a REAL ID at our courthouse location. Our courthouse location is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  2. Services are subject to a $4.00 fee. Transactions require cash, MasterCard, American Express, Visa, or Discover. (Processing Fees will be assessed) No checks.


Bonny Oaks Tag and Title State Driver License Kiosk (inside foyer)

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:

  1. REAL ID issuance cannot be processed at the kiosk.
  2. 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/_/
  3. The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  4. Kiosk transactions require MasterCard, Visa, Discover or debit card. (Processing Fees will be assessed)

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

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