Un-documented

Apparently, the grand state of Tennessee also thinks I'm suspicious.

I cannot acquire a State of Tennessee driver's license.

Even though I have a valid license from another state, a Social Security Card/Number, a birth certificate, IRS federal tax records, and a marriage license to the wife, who does have two of the required docs (her being a seasoned international business traveler.)

That is all simply not enough to prove that I am legal here.

Why?

Documentation.

From the list below, I only have the birth certificate.

The only other second one I can even acquire is the Passport, which I don't yet have.

Required: Two proofs of citizenship or legal presence , *_

     Acceptable Proof of Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident
     Status Documents:

   *Remember: No photocopies will be accepted!*

   * Official Birth Certificate issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or
     territory (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana
     Islands, American Samoa, Swain's Island, Guam);

   * U.S. Government-issued Certified Birth Certificate

   * U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545)

   * Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the U.S. (FS-240)

   * Valid or expired U.S. Passport

   * Certificate of Citizenship (N560 or N561)

   * Certificate of Naturalization (N550, N570 or N578)

   * Unexpired U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card (DOD
     DD-2)

   * U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-197, I-179)

   * INS I-551 Permanent Resident Alien Card

   * Foreign passport stamped by the U.S. Government indicating that
     the holder has been "Processed for I-551"

   * Permanent resident Re-entry Permit (I-327)

   * Temporary I-551 stamp on Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, with
     photograph of applicant.

   * U.S. Department of Receptions and Placement Program Assurance Form
     (Refugee) and I-94 stamped refugee.

   * Form I-94 Record of Arrival and Departure stamped Asylee, Parolee
     or Parole, refugee, asylum, HP (humanitarian parolee) or PIP
     (public interest parolee).

This would actually be easier, if I were from another country and moving here, rather than being a natural born citizen from out of state and moving here!

_*Two proofs of Tennessee residency ,
*_

         Acceptable Proof of Residency Documents:

   Remember: Make sure the document you bring shows your current
   address. If you bring a document that is listed, but does not
   contain your address, that document will not be accepted. For
   example: if you receive a paycheck, utility bill, etc. and your
   address is listed on the envelope but not on the bill itself, make
   sure to bring the envelope, because the bill will not be accepted.

   *PLEASE NOTE: All documents are subject to verification with the
   issuing agency or source. Documents subject to verification may
   delay the issuance of your permit, driver license, identification
   only license, or certificate for driving. No photocopies will be
   accepted! *

*To prove Tennessee residency, applicants must provide the following: *

   *
     Two Documents from List A

(Document must showing residence address used on application and your name, or name of your parent, guardian or spouse)

    OR    

   * One Document from List A
     and
     One Document from List B

         No photocopies will be accepted!

*LIST A *     *LIST B *

   * Current utility bill including telephone, electric, water, gas,
     cable, etc. (Must include postmarked envelope bill was mailed in)
     initial deposit receipt is NOT acceptable
   * Current bank statement (not checks)
   * Current rental/mortgage contract fully signed and executed, or
     receipt including deed of sale for property
   * Current employer verification including paycheck/check stub, work
     ID or badge, etc.
   * Current automobile, life or health issuance policy (not wallet cards)
   * Current driver license or ID issued by the State of Tennessee to a
     parent, legal guardian or spouse of applicant (proof of
     relationship required)
   * Current Tennessee motor vehicle registration
   * Current Tennessee voter registration
   * Current IRS tax reporting W-2 Form
   * Receipt for personal property or real estate taxes paid within the
     last year
   * In case of student enrolled in public or private school in this
     state, student may provide a photo student ID and acceptable
     documentation that student lives on campus.
   *
     Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the IRS
   *
     Form I-94 issued to the applicant by the Immigration and
     Naturalization Service (INS)
   *
     Employment authorization document (E.A.D.) issued to the applicant
     by the INS
   *
     I-551 issued to the applicant by the INS

_*and your Social Security number (SSN).*_

I cannot prove, enough for their liking, that I am a legal citizen, which is part one of two, the other being proof of residency, which we have in the bag.

I have 15 days left to change their mind, or, 'gasp', I become an illegal alien.

Problem is, the missing piece of ID that they require is a US issued Passport.

Which I can't get in 15 days.

I've been to Canada.  I've been to Mexico.  Other than that I don't travel internationally (sorry shout-out to Smiley).

I've never needed a passport.

But to move from Michigan to Tennessee, apparently I do.

On the plus side, when this business is finished, one of my last excuses for not hoping a plane to visit Smiley and his wife in their country will have been sorted.

Count me as an official fan of a national ID card system that bypasses all the individual state beauracracy.