KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Beginning on May 7, 2025, you'll need a REAL ID license to fly commercially within the United States, enter certain federal buildings and enter any nuclear facilities.
To establish a standard for identification in the country, Congress passed the REAL ID ACT in 2005. The federal deadline for states to enact the REAL ID was originally in 2023 but was pushed back to 2025 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Real ID is just another layer of protection," Knox County Clerk Sherry Whitt said. "The Department of Homeland Security initiated this and it's across the country."
REAL IDs issued in Tennessee look very similar to standard IDs. The only difference is a gold star located towards the top right.
The first time you get a REAL ID, even if you already have a standard ID, you must obtain it in person.
You can get your REAL ID at the County Clerk or DMV if you already have a Tennessee-issued ID. If your ID isn't from Tennessee, you can only go to the DMV.
UT student Megan Pellerin is originally from Florida, so she had to accommodate for extra time when going to get her REAL ID.
"So in all, it took me five hours of that day," Pellerin said.
You must bring a series of documents to get your REAL ID for the first time. Each of these documents must be original—meaning no photocopies are allowed.
The documents you bring must prove that you are a U.S. citizen or have a legal presence, prove a name change if you have had one, prove your social security number and prove you live in Tennessee.
Different types of documents are acceptable. You can read the whole list of acceptable documents here.
Whitt says the process shouldn't take long.
"We try to make it as easy as possible," Whitt said. "By the time you fill out the paperwork and go through the whole process, it should take about 15 to 20 minutes."
The REAL ID will cost the same as current Tennessee licenses and IDs. If it's time to renew your license, the cost to get a REAL ID will be the standard renewal fee. You'll be charged a duplicate fee if you aren't within your renewal period.
REAL IDs are not mandatory. You can still use a standard ID to drive, vote, purchase alcohol or cigarettes, access a hospital, visit the post office, access federal courts or when applying or receiving federal benefits.
There are also alternative acceptable documents for a REAL ID. This means that after the deadline if you have a valid alternative acceptable document and not a REAL ID—you have to bring the alternative document with you.
Residents can now schedule an appointment for REAL ID at any DMV.