Colorado State ID: How to Apply, Renew, or Replace

To get a Colorado state ID, book an appointment at a Division of Motor Vehicles driver license office, bring documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Colorado address, and pay the $13 fee. The card is free if you’re 60 or older. You’ll walk out with a temporary paper credential, and the permanent card arrives by mail in about 10 business days.¹²

Pick the Right Card First

Colorado issues two kinds of ID, and the choice affects what documents you bring and what the card can do. The REAL ID compliant card is what most residents want. Since May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration no longer accepts non-REAL ID credentials for boarding domestic flights, entering certain federal buildings, or accessing military bases.³ To qualify, you need to be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or hold qualifying temporary lawful status.

The other option is the “standard” card issued under the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act (SB 251), designed for residents who cannot demonstrate lawful immigration status. Standard cards carry a banner reading “Not Valid For Federal Identification, Voting or Public Benefit Purposes” and cannot be used for flights or federal building access.⁴ The rest of this guide walks through the REAL ID card, with a separate section at the end for the SB 251 path.

Who Qualifies

Any Colorado resident may be issued an ID card by the department, and there’s no minimum age.⁵ Applicants under 21 receive a vertical card; those 21 and older get a horizontal layout.²

You count as a resident once any of these happens first: you’ve lived in the state for 90 consecutive days, you’re gainfully employed here, or you own or operate a business in Colorado. For a REAL ID card, you also need to show lawful presence in the United States.⁶

Documents to Bring

Colorado follows federal REAL ID standards for verification, so plan on three categories of proof. Missing paperwork is the single biggest reason first-time applicants get sent home.

Proof of Identity and Date of Birth

Bring one document showing your full legal name and date of birth. A certified U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, or a permanent resident card are the common choices. The name on this document must match the name you want on the ID exactly. If you’ve changed your name through marriage, divorce, or a court order, bring documentation connecting each step from your birth name to your current name.⁷

Proof of Social Security Number

Bring your Social Security card or another document showing your full SSN, such as a W-2. If you’re not eligible for a Social Security number, bring a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration.⁶

Two Proofs of Colorado Address

First-time applicants need two documents showing their name and a physical Colorado address.⁸ Each must be dated within one year of your application. P.O. boxes don’t count. Accepted documents include:

Utility, credit card, medical, or other computer-generated bills
Bank statements or pre-printed pay stubs
Mortgage statements, lease agreements, or homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies
First-class mail from a government agency or court
Motor vehicle registration, school transcripts, or a USPS Change of Address form

Electronic copies are accepted. Junk mail, bulk advertising, and anything with handwritten corrections or address labels will be rejected.⁸

If you’re experiencing homelessness, you can still apply. In place of the standard address documents, bring a letter from a government entity or nonprofit organization on its letterhead. The letter must include the facility’s name, address, and phone number; be signed and dated by a representative; and state that the facility will accept mail on your behalf.⁸

Book the Appointment

All state driver license offices require an appointment for first-time ID applicants.⁹ Book through the Colorado DMV’s online scheduling system. Slots fill quickly in metro areas, so plan a week or two ahead.

You can save time by pre-registering online before the visit. Pre-registration lets you upload document images and enter your personal information in advance, so the technician isn’t keying it in during your appointment.¹⁰

At the DMV Office

Bring your completed application (form DR 2300), which you can print from the DMV website or pick up at the office. The form asks for physical descriptors including height, weight, and eye and hair color, along with your legal name and date of birth. You’ll sign it under penalty of perjury, so check that every entry matches your supporting documents before handing it over.⁶

A technician will review your documents, take a digital photo, and collect your fingerprints. Colorado law requires fingerprints for all ID card applications.¹⁰

What It Costs

A REAL ID compliant ID card is $13.00 for applicants under 60. It’s free for applicants 60 and older.¹ Most locations accept credit cards, checks, and cash.

What Arrives and When

You’ll leave with a temporary paper credential that serves as your ID until the permanent card arrives. The permanent card typically shows up in the mail within about 10 business days. You can check the status through the “Where’s my Driver License/ID?” tool on the myDMV portal.²

Confirm your mailing address before you leave the office. If the card hasn’t arrived within 30 days, you can request a free replacement, as long as you do so between 30 and 90 days after the original issuance date.¹¹

If You Can’t Show Lawful Presence

Residents who cannot demonstrate lawful immigration status can still get a Colorado ID under SB 251. These standard credentials are available at all DMV offices but are not REAL ID compliant, so they cannot be used for domestic flights, federal building access, voting, or federal public benefits.⁴

The document list is different. In place of a U.S. birth certificate or passport, you’ll present identification from your country of origin, such as a passport, consular ID, or military ID. You’ll need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security number and will use a different checklist: DR 2300C for undocumented residents or DR 2300B for those with temporary lawful presence. You’ll also sign a Colorado Road and Community Safety Act Affidavit (form DR 2212A) at the office.⁴¹

Adding a Veteran or Military Indicator

Current and former service members can add a military or veteran identifier to the card at no extra charge during the same visit. For a veteran indicator, bring your original DD-214 (member 4 copy) or a valid military identification card. Active duty personnel can use a valid Common Access Card to add a military branch identifier.¹²

Only one branch identifier can appear on a card (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Space Force), and identifiers from other states don’t transfer. Once the indicator is on your card, you won’t need to show the military documents again at renewal.¹²

1
Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. State DMV Fees
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. The Iconic Credential
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Colorado Is REAL ID Ready
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Standard Licenses and IDs
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Justia. Colorado Code 42-2-302 – Department May or Shall Issue – Limitations – Rules
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Required Identification Documents to Get Your Permit, Driver License, or Identification Card
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Update, Change, and Manage Your Name on Your Driver License, Permit, or ID Card
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Proof of Address
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Pre-Registration – Get Ready for Your First DMV Visit
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Replace Your Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Driver License, Permit, CDL, or ID
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Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Active Duty Military and Veterans