As of May 7, 2025, the U.S. federal government will require anyone who boards an airplane for domestic travel or who enters certain federal buildings to show one of these forms of ID:
A REAL ID is verified by a gold star in the top right corner of your license or ID card. Non-verified IDs don’t have a gold star.
Note: Per the REAL ID Modernization Act and DMV policy, individuals are no longer required to provide documentation of their Social Security Number when applying for a REAL ID. However, a Social Security card can still be used as part of identity verification—details below.
Follow these steps to get a REAL ID:
Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for a verified license or REAL ID card. Customers with a drive-only license aren’t eligible for a REAL ID license.
Visit the REAL ID required documents checklist: English version (PDF) | Spanish version (PDF) REAL ID Document Checklist
In most cases, you need:
Schedule an appointment at any DMV office or partner office, like DMV Express. Visit locations and office hours to view DMV locations. View locations.
If you aren’t due for a license renewal and would like a REAL ID, you can request your driver’s license or ID for a $30 duplicate fee.
Your REAL ID arrives in the mail within 20 business days. For more on this, please visit Central Issuance.
Track the delivery of your new card.
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles renews driver’s licenses and DMV-issued ID cards based on federal REAL ID laws. This program stems from national security measures and federal identification standards set in place after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S.
The REAL ID program also offers additional protection to residents against identity theft. The same identity verification for federal and state standards requirements for new license and ID card applicants have been offered by the DMV since October 2011.This identity verification is a one-time review of original identity documents.
No. A driver’s license or ID card renewal is the same cost if your identity is verified or not.
These are the fees for licenses:
If you don’t need to renew a license and want to obtain a new verified license or REAL ID card, you’ll be charged a one-time $30 fee.
A verified REAL ID driver’s license or DMV-issued ID card allows residents to fly on a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings. A verified REAL ID is needed for these actions due to federal requirements that will take effect as of May 7, 2025.
The Connecticut DMV started offering this verification in October 2011 to allow ample renewal time for residents to become verified prior to May 2025.
Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for a verified credential.
Citizens are subject to verification using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE).
One of these forms of identification is required to verify:
An Alien Registration Receipt card (Form I-151) is not considered an acceptable document and must be updated before any Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles credentials are issued.
1. Documents to verify your identity. Examples include:
View the entire REAL ID document checklist: English version (PDF) | Spanish version (PDF)
2. Make an appointment at the DMV or partner office.
3. Your verified ID arrives in the mail in 20 days. Track the delivery of your new card.
Non-U.S. citizens need to show a permanent resident card or other legal presence documents that prove permanent residency.
Yes. Identity verification checks are done at DMV hub and branch offices, as well as participating DMV AAA offices and Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union locations.
Non-U.S. citizens must visit a DMV office. Learn more about specific location information.
Yes. A $30 duplicate fee applies.
No. You can decline verification and just renew your current driver license or ID card.
Yes. You can renew your license and legally drive without verifying your ID. Without a REAL ID, your license doesn’t meet federal requirements for a verified ID, though.
Yes. The new identity-checked driver licenses and DMV-issued ID cards have a gold star in the upper right-hand corner that indicate your ID is verified.
ID cards without an identity check are stamped “Not for Federal Identification” since they don’t meet the federal standard for identification.
Yes. A valid U.S. passport can also be used because existing federal standards are built into them. See additional documents, other than a license, ID card, or passport, that TSA will accept at the airport.
No. Under current law, a drive-only license does not qualify for a verified license/REAL ID.
No. You don’t need to bring any additional documents to the DMV if there’s no changes needed to your license or ID (e.g., change in name or address).
