Get a REAL ID in Connecticut

Get a Connecticut REAL ID (gold star): the documents to bring, the in-person appointment, what it costs and where to go.

Your situation

Do you have a Connecticut license or ID card?

Yes, and it's due for renewalFor a full-term REAL ID, the gold star costs nothing extra at renewalYes, but I want REAL ID before my renewal dateFor a full-term REAL ID, a one-time $30 duplicate fee appliesNo, I don't have one yetFor example a new resident or a first ID card

What is your status in the U.S.?

U.S. citizenPermanent resident, asylee or refugeeDACA recipientEligible for a limited-term REAL ID

Is your name different from the one on your birth certificate or passport?

NoYesFor example after marriage or divorce

Update my plan

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Primary identity document
     Original or certified copy. The full name on it is your legal name and is printed on your card.
     Accepted documents (bring 1)

     • U.S. birth certificate (Hospital-issued certificates and Puerto Rico certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are not accepted)
     • U.S. passport or passport card
     • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545)
     • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570) (Checked through the federal SAVE system)
     • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561) (Checked through the federal SAVE system)
   • A second identity document
     A second primary document or one from this list. Two of the same kind are not accepted.
     Accepted documents (bring 1)

     • A second document from the primary list (For example a passport and a birth certificate)
     • Social Security card (Not laminated or metal; signed if you are 16 or older)
     • Connecticut driver's license, learner's permit or ID card
     • Out-of-state U.S. or Canadian photo license, permit or ID card
     • Certified school transcript (A school photo ID is not accepted)
     • Certified marriage or civil union certificate
     • Court order with your full name and date of birth (For example name change, adoption or dissolution)
     • U.S. military ID or dependent card with photo
     • Military discharge papers (DD-214)
     • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
     • Connecticut pistol or revolver permit
     • State or federal employee ID
     • FAA pilot's license
     • Federally recognized tribal member ID card
     • Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
     • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
     • Federal Bureau of Prisons ID card
     • CT Department of Correction certificate CN101503
   • Your Social Security number
     The DMV no longer requires documentation of your number; it verifies the number with the Social Security Administration.
     Accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Your Social Security number
     • SSA ineligibility letter (Non-U.S. citizens not eligible for a number; you may then not qualify for a REAL ID)
   • Two proofs of Connecticut residency · 2 different documents
     From two different sources, showing your name and Connecticut address, dated within 90 days unless stated otherwise, typed and on paper. Parents or guardians at the same address can use their own documents for a minor.
     Accepted documents (bring 2)

     • Postmarked mail (The address may be handwritten)
     • Bill from a bank, mortgage company, utility, credit card company, doctor or hospital
     • Bank statement
     • Pre-printed pay stub with your employer's name and address
     • Property or excise tax bill (Within the last 12 months)
     • Valid Connecticut license, permit or ID card with the same address
     • Homeowner's, renter's or car insurance card or policy (Within the last 12 months)
     • Current Connecticut vehicle registration
     • Current loan statement for a vehicle registered in your name
     • Mortgage, lease or rental contract signed by all parties (Within the last 12 months)
     • USPS change-of-address confirmation (CNL107)
     • Official school records showing enrollment, or a report card

2. Check the document checklist

   Bring originals or certified copies of everything on the DMV's checklist. Photocopies, notarized copies and damaged documents are not accepted. Documents not in English need a DMV-approved translation.

   REAL ID checklist (PDF) on portal.ct.gov ↗

3. Book an appointment

   Book online at a DMV hub or branch office, or at a participating AAA or Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union express office. Services vary by office: express offices list REAL ID with license and ID renewals, so check the office's service list first. Appointments are valid only for the service you select, and you need an email address or mobile number to book.

   Appointments on portal.ct.gov ↗

4. At the appointment

   You get a temporary paper credential, and the card is mailed to the address on your application within 20 business days. It won't be sent to a forwarding address. You can track the delivery online.

   Track your card on ct.gov ↗

5. Express office fee

   Express offices charge a convenience fee per DMV transaction: at AAA $6 for members and $8 for others; at Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union $8, waived for credit union members.

   Appointments on portal.ct.gov ↗

Common reasons people get turned away

• Residency proofs must come from two different sources and, for most documents, be dated within the last 90 days.
• TSA won't accept the temporary paper credential alone at the airport: carry your old license or ID with it.
• A drive-only license can't be a REAL ID.
• Already have a gold star? You don't need to bring documents to renew unless something changes, such as your name or address.

Offices that issue REAL ID

Identity checks for the REAL ID gold star are done at DMV hub and branch offices and at participating AAA and Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union offices; non-U.S. citizens must visit a DMV office. Testing sites only give knowledge or CDL skills tests. Agency source.

21 offices in Connecticut

• Avon office (AAA) Avon ✓ Listed for this office
• Bridgeport Bridgeport ✓ Office type issues it
• Cromwell office (AAA) Cromwell ✓ Listed for this office
• Danbury office Danbury ✓ Office type issues it
• Danbury office (AAA) Danbury ✓ Listed for this office
• Enfield office Enfield ✓ Office type issues it
• Enfield office (AAA) Enfield ✓ Listed for this office
• Fairfield office (AAA) Fairfield ✓ Listed for this office
• Glastonbury office (Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union) Glastonbury ✓ Listed for this office
• Hamden office Hamden ✓ Office type issues it
• Manchester office (AAA) Manchester ✓ Listed for this office
• Norwalk office Norwalk ✓ Office type issues it
• Norwalk office (AAA) Norwalk ✓ Listed for this office
• Old Saybrook office Old Saybrook ✓ Office type issues it
• Old Saybrook office (AAA) Old Saybrook ✓ Listed for this office
• Southington office (AAA) Southington ✓ Listed for this office
• Waterbury office Waterbury ✓ Office type issues it
• Waterford office (AAA) Waterford ✓ Listed for this office
• West Hartford office (AAA) West Hartford ✓ Listed for this office
• Wethersfield office Wethersfield ✓ Office type issues it
• Willimantic office Willimantic ✓ Office type issues it

9 other offices that handle licenses

Neither the office's service list nor the agency says these offices issue REAL ID. Call the office before you go.

• Branford Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union Branford
• Hamden Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union Hamden
• New Britain office New Britain
• Norwich office Norwich
• Orange office (Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union) Orange
• Putnam office Putnam
• Stamford office Stamford
• Stratford office (Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union) Stratford
• Winsted office Winsted

3 offices where you can't get it

• Cheshire testing center Cheshire ✕ Not here
• Mansfield testing area Mansfield ✕ Not here
• Winsted testing area Winsted ✕ Not here

Find a nearby office by city or ZIP

Search

Results show offices that issue REAL ID or may, nearest first, each labelled.

Read more

• Connecticut driver's license and ID card: first license, renewal, replacement and REAL ID
• REAL ID explained: what changed and which ID you need to fly

Sources · checked October 30, 2026

• Get a REAL ID (CT DMV)
• REAL ID Document Identity Verification Checklist (CT DMV, PDF)
• DMV locations and hours (CT DMV)
• Make or change an appointment (CT DMV)
• Central Issuance for ID Fraud Protection (CT DMV)
• Fees (CT DMV)
• Transfer an out-of-state license (CT DMV)

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMVorganization.org is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.