Use this form to request that the Safe at Home Program facilitate the transfer of records from one public school to another. Safe at Home is also happy to facilitate the transfer of records to or from a private school to another school, public or private.
What is a vital record?
Vital records document significant life events. Vital records include:
Marriage Certificates
Divorce Certificates
Birth Certificates
Death Certificates
Where can I request a vital record?
The Tennessee Health Department’s Office of Vital Records reviews, registers, amends, issues and maintains the original certificates of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that occur in Tennessee in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated.
Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Tennessee Vital Records 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower 710 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243
What will I need to get a free photo ID from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security?
You will need:
Proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate), and
Two proofs of Tennessee residency (such as a voter registration card, a utility bill, vehicle registration or title, or bank statement).
If your name differs from that on your primary ID, proof of the changed name (such as a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, etc.)
Learn more about the required documents at the Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Voter Photo ID page.
How can I check the status of my absentee by-mail ballot?
You must mail your ballot in time for your county election commission to receive it no later than the close of polls on Election Day.
You must return your ballot by mail (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.). Hand delivery or handing it to a poll worker during early voting or on Election Day is not permitted.
What is the Certified Application Assistant Application form?
This form should be used only by victims services professionals and other advocates who wish to be trained and certified as an Application Assistant. Please contact the Safe at Home Program directly for more information regarding upcoming training sessions or to schedule a training in your area.
What ID is required when voting?
Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day must bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver's license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by Tennessee state government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.
“Public record or records’ or ‘state record or records’ means all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files and output, films, sound recordings, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental agency.” T.C.A. § 10-7-301(6)
The test for determining whether a record is public is “whether it was made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental agency.” Griffin v. City of Knoxville, 821 S.W. 2d 921, 924 (Tenn. 1991).
What is the Notice of Name Change form?
Use this form to let the Safe at Home Program know that you have legally changed your name. Be sure to attach documentation of the change to your submitted form. Remember that a legal change of your name must be reported to the Safe at Home Program within 10 days of the change.
Where is my nearest driver service center?
Visit the Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Driver Service Center Locations page for information about locations and hours, closure advisories, and self-service kiosks and online renewal.
How do I change my business address?
You can file form SS-4800 to change the mailing address by mail or in person. A change in Registered Agent or principal address requires filing Articles of Amendment and paying the statutory $20 filing fee. Forms can be found on our the Forms & Fees page for mail and in person filings.
Can I get a free photo ID card even if I have one of the other acceptable forms of photo ID?
No. If you already have a valid government-issued photo ID for voting purposes, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will not issue a free photo ID to you.
What if I don’t have a photo ID?
You may obtain a free photo ID to vote from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security at any participating driver service center across the state. You may use the “express service” line at the driver service center to obtain your photo ID to minimize wait times. Visit the Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Voter Photo ID page for more information.
I can’t afford a copy of my birth certificate, so I can’t get a photo ID. Can I still vote?
Yes. If you cannot afford a copy of the documents required to obtain a free photo ID, you may sign a form stating under oath that you are indigent and have been unable to obtain an acceptable photo ID for voting without paying a fee.
When can I vote?
Find your early voting and Election Day polling place and hours in the GoVoteTN app.
What if I don’t bring a photo ID to the polling place?
If you don’t bring a photo ID, you will vote a provisional ballot. You will then have two (2) business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID. Upon returning to the election commission office, the voter will sign an affidavit and a copy of the voter’s photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.
I have a driver license, but it doesn’t have a photo. Can I use it to vote?
No, but if you do not have another form of valid photo ID, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will reissue your license with your photo for free upon request.
Is an expired photo ID acceptable?
Yes, as long as it was validly issued by the federal or Tennessee state government and contains the name and photograph of the voter.
Is my photo ID acceptable?
If you are unsure or have questions about your photo ID, contact your county election commission or the Division of Elections at 1-877-850-4959.
Who are my elected officials?
Use our GoVoteTN app to find your elected officials. The GoVoteTN app will also provide you with a sample ballot, early voting locations, Election Day polling location and election results. The GoVoteTN app is available in the Apple store, Google Play store, and through any browser as a website application.
se this form to let the Safe at Home Program know about any changes in your contact information, your household composition, and more. If you have any questions about this form, please contact the Safe at Home program directly for assistance. Remember that any changes to your contact information or your application information should be reported to the Safe at Home Program within 30 days from the date the change occurred.
What is the Records Management Division?
The Records Management Division (RMD) was established by Tennessee Code Annotated 10-7-303 to assist state agencies in establishing systematic controls for the efficient use and sound preservation of state records. The Division serves as the primary records management agency for the state of Tennessee and provides professional consultative and analytical records management leadership to agencies. This guidance aids in the appropriate development, utilization, disposition, retention, and destruction of records.
The Records Management Division is further directed by the Public Records Commission (PRC) to serve as administrative liaison between state agencies and the PRC; to establish procedural guidelines for paper and electronic records oversight and retention; and to coordinate efforts supporting the state's Paperwork Reduction and Simplification Act of 1976 (TCA 4-25-101).
What is the Records Disposition Authorizations process?
Records Disposition Authorizations (RDAs) are record retention guides state agencies follow to maintain their records properly. The Records Management Division oversees the records management process. The Secretary of State’s office online RDA filing system provides users with an easy way to filter, search, and find RDAs and provides retention and destruction method information. Click here to search all effective RDAs.
What is the Eligibility Verification Request form?
Use this form to request that the Secretary of State verify your eligibility, and the eligibility of your children, for enrollment in public benefits programs or public schools. Participants should fill in their information and take this form to the public benefits agency or public school to be completed by a case manager or registrar. The form should then be submitted directly to the Safe at Home Program for verification and certification. Participants must ensure that their residential address is up to date and that the Safe at Home Program has fully verified their residential address prior to submitting the form.
What is an Administrative Dissolution?
An Administrative dissolution occurs for the following reasons:
Failure to file an annual report
Being without a registered agent
A foreign entity fails to maintain its assumed name due to a name conflict
Returned payment by a financial institution
What is a Certificate of Existence?
A certificate of existence is a document issued by our office that certifies that an entity is active and in good standing.
What is the Administrative Request for Disclosure form?
This form is intended for use only by authorized administrative agency officials at either the state or local level. If you have questions regarding this form, please contact the Safe at Home Program directly.
Who do I contact when making a public records request
State agencies are required by law, T.C.A 10-7-503(a)(2)(B), to have a designated Public Records Request Coordinator. This person is the designated contact for receiving public records requests. Contact the appropriate agency’s coordinator to request access to that agency’s records. If you have further questions or need additional assistance, contact: Office of Open Records Counsel
Use this form to request a contested case hearing. Participants may request a contested case hearing if they have been notified that their program participation is to be terminated, with limited exceptions, or when they have been notified that their confidential information has been requested by an administrative agency and the Secretary of State has determined that some or all of their information should be disclosed. If you think that you may want to request a contested case hearing, please contact the Safe at Home Program directly to discuss your concerns.
What is the Withdrawal Form?
This form should be submitted only by program participants who no longer wish to participate in the Safe at Home Program. Remember that your withdrawal request must be properly signed and notarized in order to be processed.