CELINA-Clay County County Clerk Donna Watson recently outlined the requirements to receive a Real ID here at her office, which will be required as of May 7 for people to enter certain Federal buildings, military bases, and nuclear power plants, or board commercial flights within the United States.

“My office offers drivers license renewals and duplicates,” Watson said on Facebook.  “We also provide the service to place a star (Real ID) on individuals’ driver licenses.

“You only need the Real ID if you plan to fly domestically and if you will go into any federal government facilities, like the courthouses and such, (and it) doesn’t apply to the post office,” she continued.  “Now, this doesn’t mean everyone has to run and get this, (because) if you don’t plan on flying and/or going into federal buildings, you are not required to obtain a Real ID!

“Again, it is not mandatory for everyone to get this.”

Watson explained those interested in acquiring a Real ID can do so at her office from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

She also said applicants must have all of the following to receive a Real ID:

• current driver license;

• birth certificate;

• two proofs of residency; and

• social security card.

In addition, Watson said anyone who has changed their name must provide “any and all marriage certificates to show name changes from birth certificate to present.”  She also explained divorce decrees can be presented.

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s website, the new requirements are a product of the REAL ID Act of 2005, which established minimum security standards for license issuance and production.

“These standards provide an additional level of security to protect your identity,” the online information said.  “It also prohibits Federal agencies from accepting driver licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet the Act’s minimum standards.”

For more information about Real ID requirements, contact Watson’s office at 931-243-2249.  You can also see her full post, which contains more details, at Facebook.com/donna.r.watson.9.

Further information can also be found online at tn.gov/safety.