REAL ID requirements in Tennessee

WHAT IS THE REAL ID, AND WHEN IS IT STARTING TO BE ISSUED in Tennessee?

From the last quarter of this year, every State will have to start issuing a new identification card called REAL ID, which is a new type of identification with more secure standards on its issue process. Whenever a person needs to identify him/herself with official purposes, like i.e. if someone needs to enter a federal facility, board a commercial aircraft or enter a Nuclear power plant, he or she will have to present a REAL ID card.

The deadline to fully cover the new Identification cards is set to October 2021, from that date, every State will have to start issuing the new REAL ID for all the legal residents in the States to allow them to move around the States in a commercial aircraft.

Please bear in mind that from October 1st, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will only accept the Identification cards and Driving licenses that comply with the REAL ID standards and are issued by a REAL ID compliant State. The Department of Homeland Security is working really hard to help and assist all the different territories for them to be able to issue the new REAL ID cards by the deadline.

Please bear in mind that the REAL ID is not the same for all States, this doesn’t mean that from now the ID card will be a National one for all americans, this actually means that all States will keep using their own cards and keeping their own records, but now with the REAL ID, the security of the card will be improved.

In some States, the security Standards are already set up to the REAL ID ones, so in this States, the card issue will work as a REAL ID. These States are: New York, Vermont, Minnesota, Michigan and Washington.

To get your REAL ID card you will have to make an appointment on your State driving license agency website and check the required papers you will have to present, most of the States will request documentation that shows your Full name and date of birth, your Social Security Number, your address and your legal Status.

If your card has one of the following marks (Check Image below), it may comply with the REAL ID standards, but if you are not sure that your ID is compliant with the REAL ID Identification card please look for assistance.

If you are not sure that your ID card complies with the REAL ID, just make an appointment and ask your agency before risking yourself to being denied to entrance any facility or in case you need to fly around the States. In this last case, if you still do not have ready your REAL ID for October 1st, you can still travel around using your passport; the Transportation Security Administration website offers some other interested information you may check before your flight.

Who can apply for a REAL ID in Tennessee?

Every American citizen must have a REAL ID card or an Identification card that is compliant with the REAL ID model.

The Department of Homeland Security, in some cases, will allow some Special REAL IDs to non citizens or immigrants with no documentation, always with the difference that these cards will be marked with some other characteristics, symbols or color. If you are interested in this kind of cards, please visit the DHS website to check if you are allowed to apply for one of these REAL ID cards.

Any person with an Employment Authorization Document can apply for a REAL ID card which will be temporary until its expiration date. (In this case you will also need to be in possession of a Social Security Number).

The REAL ID Act has been modified with some additions to it, so if you are not sure you are entitled to have this Identification card, we recommend you to ask for assistance to you local State Agency or to visit the DHS website.

FLYING AROUND THE STATES AFTER/BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2021

ccording to the DHS and TSA, before October 1st, all American citizens and residents will be allowed to board a flight with their current ID card or driver's license. After October 1st 2021, if you plan to fight and you don't have a passport (which may be another valid way to identify yourself to the authorities), keep in mind that the boarding will be denied and you will not be able to pass through the checkpoint at the airport, as the regular ID card will not longer be accepted and a REAL ID will be mandatory to be able to board.

If you are travelling with a minor under 18 years of age, the REAL ID is not required, and a regular ID will be enough to cross the security checkpoint.

If you are planning to cross borders between the States and Mexico or Canada, please bear in mind that the REAL ID is not accepted to cross the border, nor even works as a valid ID to travel in an International cruise, a passport instead will be necessary to allow you to make this international travel. You will have your REAL ID to only be used to travel inside the United States.

Non compliant States with REAL ID.

The DHS is working really hard with all the States to comply with the REAL ID by the deadline. In the case you find out yourself in the situation that by the time when October comes your States does not issue this new type of identification, you will have two options:

Report the situation to the DHS - In some scenarios there is the possibility that the jurisdiction will be granted with an extension, in which case the DHS will closely work with their officials to comply with this new rule ASAP.

You can be granted with a regular ID card that does not comply with the REAL ID standards, in this case, you can make a good use of your ID, and it will be valid for certain purposes but NOT FOR OFFICIAL ONES (The ID must have an inscription informing that the card is not valid for "Official purposes"), so in case you need to board an aircraft for a regional flight for example, you will have to use your passport.

The Enhanced Driver's License:

These cards are acceptable as Border-crossing documents. Only the States of Washington, New York, Minnesota, Vermont and Michigan are the ones issuing this type of card. The Secretary of Homeland Security established this card as acceptable to enter the States by land and sea ports complying with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, this is because this particular card is issued in a secure process that includes new technologies like a Radio Frequency Identification Chip.

Compliance with the REAL ID in Tennessee