Drivers License or DMV Identification Cards

NOTE: CT Department of Motor Vehicles is open for in-person services, by appointment only. Visit the website for more details or to schedule an appointment, https://portal.ct.gov/DMV/Offices/Offices/Make-an-Appointment

NOTE: The Department of Homeland Security announced that it is extending the Real ID enforcement deadline by two years to May 7, 2025, due to the new coronavirus.

The previous deadline was for May 3, 2023. People will either need a valid passport or REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state identification card to fly domestically and enter certain federal buildings by that date.

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DRIVERS LICENSE OR DMV IDENTIFICATION CARDS: ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION TO OBTAIN A NEW OR REPLACEMENT DMV LICENSE OR ID CARD – CONNECTICUT

The following information was obtained from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles web page at: https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/get-a-drivers-license-ct?language=en_US.

NEW PROCESS: You will not receive a permanent driver license or ID card while at the DMV or AAA office. It will arrive through the mail. You will keep your expiring license/ID and receive a temporary paper card.

To obtain a new learner permit, driver license or ID card, or to obtain a verified driver license or ID card you will need to provide valid/unexpired, original documents, or certified copies, to prove the following:

Identity
Social Security Number
Connecticut residency
Legal presence in the United States
Name change documents (if applicable)

NOTE: Photocopies, notarized photocopies and non-certified copies are NOT acceptable. Two (2) forms of the same identification will not be accepted. If any document presented is in a language other than English, it must be translated by a DMV approved translator.

TO PROVE YOUR IDENTITY:

You must present two (2) forms of identification; at least one of the documents must be from the primary document list.

PRIMARY DOCUMENT LIST – U.S. born

US Birth Certificate or Registration of Birth (Hospital issued are not acceptable)
US Passport or Passport Card

PRIMARY DOCUMENT LIST – Non-U.S. born

US Passport or Passport Card
Foreign Passport with supporting documents (See Legal Presence below)
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
Permanent Resident Card
Consular Report of Birth Abroad

SECONDARY DOCUMENT LIST

Out of State US photo driver license
US Territory or Canadian photo driver license
Out of State US or Canadian issued photo learner permit
Connecticut non-driver identification card, driver license or learner permit which may be required to be surrendered
US Military ID or dependent card with photo
Connecticut State Permit to Carry Pistols or revolvers
Military discharge/separation papers (DD-214)
Court Order: Must contain full name and date of birth (i.e. name change, adoption, marriage or civil union dissolution) Does not include abstract of criminal or civil conviction
Marriage license or Civil Union Certificate (certified copy issued by town/city)
Pilot’s license (issued by the US DOT Federal Aviation Administration)
School record/transcript (must be certified; school photo ID not acceptable)
Social Security Card (laminated or metal cards are not acceptable; age 16 years or older must sign card)
CT Department of Corrections original certificate of identification (not available from DOC unless issued when discharged)
Baptismal certificate or similar document
State or Federal Employee Identification with signature and photo and/or physical description with or without date of birth
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Employment Authorization card
Federally Recognized Tribal Member ID Card
DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

TO PROVE YOU HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

By law you must present one of the following to prove your social security number. The 1099 or W-2 form must show your full social security number and is only for proof of your social security number (cannot be used to prove identity).

Social Security card
W-2 form (issued within 5 years)
1099 (issued within 5 years)

Non-US citizens not eligible for a Social Security number must present proof of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration.

TO PROVE CONNECTICUT RESIDENCY:

You must provide two (2) different pieces of mail or electronic mail from two different sources to prove your home is located in Connecticut. The documents do not need to include a post-marked envelope and may have been sent to a P.O. Box or by email. Both documents must: show your name and your Connecticut residence address; be dated within 90 days (unless stated otherwise below); and be computer generated (typed).

Bill from a bank or mortgage company, utility company, credit card company, doctor or hospital
Bank statement or bank transaction receipt showing the bank’s name and mailing address
Pre-printed pay stub showing your employer’s name and address
Property or excise tax bill, or Social Security Administration or other pension or retirement annual benefits summary statement and dated within the previous 12 months
Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement
Current valid homeowner’s, renter’s or motor vehicle insurance card or policy dated within the previous 12 months
Current valid Connecticut motor vehicle registration
Current motor vehicle loan statement for a motor vehicle registered in your name
Residential mortgage or similar loan contract, lease or rental contract showing signatures from all parties needed to execute the agreement and dated within the previous 12 months
Post-marked mail (If post-marked, address may be handwritten)
Connecticut voter registration card
Change-of-address confirmation from the United States Postal Service showing your prior and current address (Form CNL107)
Survey of your Connecticut property issued by a licensed surveyor
Official school records showing enrollment
Parents or legal guardians of a minor may provide any two of the foregoing documents addressed to the parent residing at the same address to prove minor residency or use their own CT driver license or ID which shows the same address as one of the two required.

TO PROVE YOUR LEGAL PRESENCE IN THE UNITED STATES (NON-US BORN):

Legal status will be verified using Systematic Alien Verification of Eligibility (SAVE) which may take 10 business days or more.

I-94
I-551 Stamp in foreign passport
Permanent Resident card or Resident Alien card
Employment Authorization card
Refugee Travel document
B1/B2 requires Employment Authorization Card and verified Adjustment of Status Application
F1 requires I-20 and I-94
J1 requires DS2019 and I-94
US Passport or Passport Card

Individuals arriving in the United State with an I-94 stamp in their passport must visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website to obtain a hard copy of their I-94 document.

Non-US Citizens that are not eligible for a Social Security number must present proof of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration and are NOT qualified for a verified driver license or ID card. Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for a verified drivers license or ID card.

B1/B2 visitor status is not eligible to obtain a Connecticut credential

TO PROVE A NAME CHANGE:

Marriage or civil union certificate (certified copy issued by town/city)
Marriage or civil union dissolution
Probate court name change document
DHS Petition for name change (USCIS Form N-662)
If there have been multiple name changes, you must provide documentation to prove the continuity of the names.

NOTE: Your new name must verify with Social Security Administration (SSA). Visit the SSA first to change your name. Allow at least 48 hours for SSA update.
If you have a question regarding acceptable documents, please phone the DMV Contact Center 860-263-5700.

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SOURCE: Connecticut State Department of Motor Vehicles: “Acceptable Forms of Identification.”
PREPARED BY: 211/jm
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: July2024