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TCA 39-17-115

Knowingly manufacturing, providing, transferring or submitting false identification for the purposes of obtaining or maintaining employment

MISDEMEANOR AClass A Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

It is illegal to make, provide, or submit fake identification documents that are meant to help someone get or keep a job. This includes fake documents claiming someone is a legal resident or authorized to work. Punishment is up to 11 months 29 days in jail and/or up to $2,500 in fines. Each fake document counts as a separate offense. ---

Penalty Details

ClassificationClass A Misdemeanor
Maximum Jail11 months 29 days
Maximum Fine$2,500
Penalty SummaryClass A misdemeanor; 11 months 29 days; fine up to $2,500
(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Employment” means any work engaged in for compensation in money or other valuable consideration and for which a person paying the compensation for the work performed would be required to file a W-2 wage and tax statement with the federal internal revenue service; (2) “False identification” means a document of a type intended or commonly accepted for the purposes of identification of individuals that would identify the individual to be a lawful resident alien, an individual authorized to be employed by the federal Immigration and Naturalization Act ( 8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.), or the United States attorney general or that would identify the individual to be a United States citizen that: (A) Is not issued by or under the authority of a governmental entity or was issued under the authority of a governmental entity but was subsequently altered for purposes of deceit; and (B) Appears to be issued by or under the authority of a governmental entity; and (3) “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association or any other legal entity. (b) It is an offense for a person to knowingly manufacture, provide, transfer or submit to any other person false identification for the purposes of obtaining or maintaining employment. (c) A violation of subsection (b) is a Class A misdemeanor. Each false identification document used in violation of subsection (b) shall constitute a separate offense. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit prosecution under any other law. (e) Upon conviction of a violation of subsection (b), if it is determined that any person in connection with a violation of this section is not lawfully present in the United States, pursuant to the federal Immigration and Naturalization Act the court shall notify the United States department of homeland security.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

MISDEMEANOR A
TCA Section39-17-115
Max Jail11 months 29 days
Max Fine$2,500