Deadline for Tennessee’s Real ID coming up May 7

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Beginning May 7, 2025 everyone interested in air travel, must have a REAL ID.

Courtesy of TN Dept. of Homeland Security

You must have an approved federally-issued ID, such as a passport, to enter certain federal buildings, military bases and nuclear power plants or board commercial flights within the United States.

Tennessee driver licenses and identification cards that are not Real ID-compliant will no longer be accepted to enter certain facilities.

Non-Real ID licenses will continue to be accepted for general identification purposes such as driving, purchasing alcohol or tobacco products, applying for federal benefits, voting, or accessing hospitals, post offices, banks, and federal courts.

“We do have new licenses that are being issued and they have a white star on a field of a black circle. If you gotten your previous to the time that we’ve rolled these out, you’ll notice that those licenses have a yellow circle or a gold star and you will not need to redo those. That license is still valid until it expires and you’ll have to get a new one, but you don’t have to come it to get the new black version,” said Russell Shoup, Assistant Commissioner of Administration.

To apply for a Real ID, customers must bring proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal presence, proof of their social security number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency.

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