To get a state ID in Connecticut, make an in-person appointment at a DMV hub or Express office, bring documents proving your identity, Connecticut residency, and Social Security number, and pay the $28 fee. The card is valid for seven years and arrives by mail within 20 business days.1CT.gov. Get a Non-Driver ID Before you book the appointment, decide whether you want a standard non-driver ID or a REAL ID, because that choice affects which documents you need to bring.
Standard ID or REAL ID
Since May 7, 2025, the TSA and other federal agencies require a REAL ID-compliant credential, a passport, or another federally accepted document to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings.2Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID A Connecticut REAL ID has a gold star in the upper-right corner. A standard non-driver ID does not, and will not get you through airport security on its own.3CT.gov. Get a REAL ID
Both cards cost the same and come from the same DMV offices. The difference is paperwork. A REAL ID requires a one-time identity verification: a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security card, and two documents proving your Connecticut address. If you already plan to bring those documents, requesting the REAL ID version adds no extra cost or visits. If you have a valid passport and don’t need your state ID for airports, a standard card works for everything else.
Who Can Apply
You must be a Connecticut resident. There is no minimum age, so parents can obtain a non-driver ID for a child of any age. You can also apply if your Connecticut driver’s license is currently suspended.1CT.gov. Get a Non-Driver ID
If the applicant is under 18, a parent, court-appointed legal guardian, or spouse over 18 must sign the application (Form B-230).4Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. Connecticut DMV Requirements for Non-Driver Photo Identification Cards For 16- and 17-year-olds, the DMV may also require a notarized Certificate of Parental Consent (Form 2D). If someone other than a parent is giving consent, they’ll need documentation of their legal authority, such as a court guardianship order.5State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. Certificate of Parental Consent (Form 2D)
Non-citizens can apply but must prove legal presence in the U.S. Acceptable documents include a Permanent Resident card, an Employment Authorization card, or a foreign passport with a valid visa and I-94 form. The DMV verifies immigration status through the federal SAVE system, which can take 10 or more business days.6Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. REAL ID Document Identity Verification Checklist Visitors on B1/B2 tourist visas are not eligible. Non-citizens who are ineligible for a Social Security number must present an ineligibility letter from the SSA and can only receive a standard (non-REAL ID) card.
Documents to Bring
Every applicant needs to prove three things: identity, Connecticut residency, and Social Security number. Bring originals or certified copies. The DMV will not accept photocopies, notarized photocopies, or damaged documents.6Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. REAL ID Document Identity Verification Checklist
Proof of Identity
One primary identity document. Common options are a certified U.S. birth certificate (hospital-issued certificates don’t count), a valid U.S. passport or passport card, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a foreign passport with supporting immigration documents. You’ll also need one secondary identity document, such as an out-of-state photo driver’s license or a certified school transcript. A school photo ID is not accepted as secondary identification.
Proof of Connecticut Residency
Two documents from different sources showing your Connecticut address. Each must be dated within 90 days unless the document type has a different rule. Acceptable options include a utility bill, a bank statement showing the bank’s name and your mailing address, or a residential lease signed by all parties and dated within the past 12 months. A P.O. Box does not count as a residential address.
Proof of Social Security Number
Bring your Social Security card. Your number will be verified directly with the Social Security Administration before the DMV issues your card.4Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. Connecticut DMV Requirements for Non-Driver Photo Identification Cards If you’ve lost the card, a W-2 or 1099 issued within the past five years that shows your full Social Security number is also accepted.
Name Change Documents
If your current legal name doesn’t match your primary identity document, bring proof of the change. The DMV accepts a certified marriage or civil union certificate issued by a town or city clerk, or a probate court name change document.
Fees and Free IDs
A new non-driver ID costs $28 and is valid for seven years, expiring on your birthday.7CT.gov. DMV Fees The DMV accepts cash, checks and money orders (payable to DMV), and Visa or Mastercard credit and debit cards.
Two groups qualify for a free ID. People who are currently unhoused or living in a shelter qualify if they provide proof of residency from an authorized shelter or transitional housing location listed through the CT Coalition to End Homelessness or 211 Connecticut. Blind veterans qualify by presenting a Certificate of Blindness from the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (or an equivalent letter from a doctor) along with a DD-214 showing honorable discharge.1CT.gov. Get a Non-Driver ID
Booking the Appointment and Visiting the DMV
You need an in-person appointment at a DMV hub or DMV Express office. Schedule online through the DMV’s appointment portal and select “License and non-driver ID services.”8CT.gov. Make or Change DMV Appointment You’ll need a valid email address or mobile phone number. Each appointment covers one person and one transaction, so if you’re bringing a family member, book separate slots.
Download and complete Form B-230 before your visit. Having it filled out in advance saves time at the counter. Double-check that you have every required document before you leave the house. The DMV will only process your transaction if your paperwork is complete.
At the office, a DMV representative reviews your documents, takes your photograph, captures a digital signature, and collects payment. You’ll receive a temporary paper document before you leave; it serves as your identification until the permanent card arrives.
When Your Card Arrives
Your permanent non-driver ID comes by mail. Allow up to 20 business days for delivery. You can check the status online through the DMV’s credential delivery tracker.9Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. Check Credential Delivery Status If you’re a non-citizen whose status is being verified through SAVE, expect additional time on top of that.