Importance of ID Cards

Even if you don't or can't drive, and therefore do not hold a Connecticut state driver's license, you still need an ID that can be used to officially verify your age and signature as well as to identify you as a Connecticut resident. This is especially true for those 18 years and older who wish to purchase items such as alcohol or cigarettes, which require proof of age.

The answer is a state ID card. This photo ID card, issued by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, looks almost exactly like a Connecticut driver's license except that it does not confer driving privileges. Instead, it is an official ID that legally takes the place of a driver's license for the purpose of identification only.

Eligibility Requirements

If you're a Connecticut resident who does not hold a Connecticut driver's license or you have a suspended license, you are eligible for a state ID card. If you ever get a license, or regain your license after a suspension, the ID card must be turned in to the DMV.

Applying for an ID Card

To apply for a state ID card, you must do the following:

• Complete a Connecticut identification card application.

• Visit a full-service Connecticut DMV office. State ID cards will not be processed at satellite or mobile DMV offices.

• Bring a certified birth certificate or valid passport, a Social Security card, and one additional form of state-approved ID. You will also need to bring a paycheck, a piece of mail postmarked within 90 days, or something else to prove your Connecticut address.

• Bring $22.50 in cash only. No personal checks or credit cards will be accepted.

Renewing an ID Card

The only way to renew a state ID card is in person, at a full-service DMV office. You cannot renew a state ID card by mail or online. The DMV will send out a renewal notice before the card expires to the last known address on file for the cardholder (be sure to update your address with the DMV each time you move so it is always current).

It is important to remember that even if you have your current card and the renewal notice, you still need to bring a certified birth certificate and/or a valid passport, as well as your Social Security card and address verification, to complete the renewal. Renewals must be paid for with $22.50 in cash only.

Replacing an ID Card

To replace a lost state ID card, you need to visit a full-service DMV office. Bring all the usual suspects in terms of ID―a copy of your certified birth certificate or valid passport, at least one other piece of state-approved ID, address verification, and a Social Security card. It will cost $22.50, cash. No personal checks or credit cards will be accepted.

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