International Assistance Project of Alabama, Inc.

Tennessee Department of Safety

The New Law About Your Social Security Number

    If you were never issued a social security number (SSN), you may still qualify for a driver license or photo ID. The SSN requirement is the only requirement that has been changed for adults. The SSN requirement has not been changed for Commercial Driver Licenses.

What You Need to Do

Step 1. Sign an affidavit that asks for your name, date of birth and address, and says:

    I, the undersigned, make oath in due form of law that no Social Security Number has ever been issued to me by the United States Government. By the presence of my signature below I affirm, under penalty of perjury, that I am the person identified above and that the above statement is truthful and correct. I understand that it is a criminal offense to knowingly submit false information on this affidavit and that to do so is punishable as a felony pursuant to the penalties of perjury. (T.C.A. 39-16-702)

    You may sign the affidavit at a driver license station in front of an examiner, or you may have the form notarized by a notary public before you bring it to the driver license station. Please note: You may make as many copies of the blank forms as you need.

Step 2. Provide positive proof of your full name and full date of birth.

    If your original documentation for proof of identity is not in English, you will need a Certified Translation along with the original documents.

Step 3. Pass the necessary tests (not required for photo ID)

    Note: Interpreters may help with vision test, but not the knowledge or driving tests. For safety of taking the test, applicants must be able to communicate in "basic" English for the driving test. Knowledge tests are available in Spanish, or may be taken with the help of a dictionary.

Standard Requirements for Your License

18 or older

    Original license and two pieces of any of the following types of positive identification:

    Your original, certified birth certificate
    Your military ID
    License issued from another state or country
    Adoption decree
    Passport
    Marriage certificate

    If you do not have two of the above, the following may be considered:

    Your own child's birth certificate
    Social security card
    Resident alien card, or passport with I-94
 
Duplicate, Lost License

    Any two of the above, or such items as:
    Vehicle registration
    School records
    Health or life insurance documents
    Work ID
 
Renewal

    Your current license, or the same identification as for a duplicate
 
New Resident

    Your current license, or the same identification as for an original license:
    Change of Name or Proof of the change, such as:
    Original, certified court order
    Marriage certificate or divorce decree

    The advantage of a verified Social Security number:  You will be able to do some of your driver license business on the Internet. If you do later obtain a social security number, be sure to come back and let us add it to your records.  Commercial driver licenses still require a valid SSN.

This page was last updated on November 30, 2001