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How to Get ID & Documents in Connecticut

Connecticut issues state identification cards through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Birth certificates are managed by the Vital Records Section of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

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Quick Answer

You can get a Connecticut state ID at any DMV office for $28. The Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) has a pre-release program that helps individuals obtain state ID and other documents before release. Birth certificates cost $30 from the Department of Public Health Vital Records.

Connecticut ID Agency

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Website: portal.ct.gov/dmv

Phone: (860) 263-5700

State ID Card

Cost: $28

REAL ID: $28 (same cost for REAL ID compliant card)

Processing: 7-10 business days by mail; temporary ID issued same day at office

Online renewal: Yes

Requirements:

  • Proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card)
  • Proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 with full SSN)
  • Two proofs of Connecticut residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease, or pay stub with address)
  • Proof of legal name change if applicable (certified marriage certificate, court order)

Connecticut state ID cards are valid for 6 years. REAL ID compliant cards are available at the same cost. You must visit a DMV hub office in person for your first ID card. Online renewal is available for eligible renewals. A temporary paper ID is issued while the permanent card is mailed.

Birth Certificate

Agency: Connecticut Department of Public Health, Vital Records

Cost: $30

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: 3-4 weeks by mail; same day in person at Hartford office or town clerk

Order online: portal.ct.gov/DPH/Vital-Records/Vital-Records

Connecticut birth certificates can be ordered from the state Department of Public Health in Hartford or from the town clerk in the town where the birth occurred. Online ordering is available through VitalChek. Town clerk offices may be faster for in-person requests.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) operates a pre-release program that assists individuals with obtaining state identification cards, birth certificates, and Social Security cards before release. The DOC partners with DMV to facilitate the process. Contact your DOC case manager or reentry coordinator to begin the process well before your release date.

Homeless Provisions

Connecticut does not have a formal fee waiver for homeless individuals seeking state ID. However, community organizations, shelters, and reentry programs may assist with covering costs. The 2-1-1 helpline can connect individuals with local assistance programs.

Fee Waivers

No general fee waivers are available for state ID cards. Some nonprofit organizations and social service agencies may provide financial assistance. Contact Connecticut 2-1-1 for referrals to programs that can help.

Connecticut Reentry ID Law

PA 19-59 (Conn. Gen. Stat. 18-81z, 2019)

Requires the Connecticut Department of Correction to assist individuals in obtaining a non-driver identification card before release. DOC coordinates with the DMV to process applications inside correctional facilities.

Recommended Order to Get Your Documents

If you have no documents at all, this is the order most reentry specialists recommend. Each document makes the next one easier to get.

  1. 1
    Birth certificate -- This is the foundation document. You can usually order it by mail with minimal ID. It unlocks everything else. Cost in Connecticut: $30.
  2. 2
    Social Security card -- Always free. With your birth certificate, you can get a replacement SS card at any SSA office or online at ssa.gov. You can replace up to 3 cards per year, 10 in a lifetime.
  3. 3
    State ID card -- With your birth certificate and SS card, you have everything needed for a state ID at the DMV. Cost: $28.
  4. 4
    Other documents -- Once you have a state ID, you can open a bank account, apply for benefits, get a job, register to vote, and apply for a driver's license, passport, or other documents.

Pre-Release Document Planning Timeline

If you or someone you know is currently incarcerated, start the document process as early as possible. Many states allow document applications from inside the facility.

6-12 months out

Request a birth certificate by mail from your birth state. Contact your case manager or reentry coordinator about ID assistance programs. Ask if your facility has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Social Security Administration for in-facility SS card processing.

3-6 months out

Apply for your Social Security card replacement. If your facility has a partnership with the DMV, begin the state ID application. Gather any educational transcripts, vocational certificates, or GED documentation earned during incarceration.

1-3 months out

Confirm your documents are ready or in process. If your facility issues a DOC/prison release ID card, make sure it will be provided on release day. Identify the nearest DMV office and SSA office to where you will be living.

Release day

Get your prison release ID card, any documents your facility has prepared, and your personal property. Your release ID is a valid form of identification at many government offices. Visit the DMV as soon as possible to get your state ID.

Federal Release Identification Card (BOP)

If you or someone you know was incarcerated in a federal prison, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) issues a Federal Release Identification Card with REAL ID-level security features. This card is accepted by TSA for domestic air travel and by many state DMV offices as a valid form of identification. Over 16,700 cards have been issued since October 2023.

The federal release ID is nota REAL ID, but it can be used as proof of identity when applying for a state ID or driver's license. It includes your photo, date of birth, and federal inmate number. Ask your unit team or case manager about the Federal Release Identification Card program before your release date.

Note: This program is for federal (BOP) facilities only. State prison release IDs vary by state -- see the reentry program section above for Connecticut-specific information.

County Jail vs. State Prison: Different ID Situations

State prison releases typically have access to pre-release ID programs and reentry services. Many state corrections departments partner with the DMV to issue state IDs before release. Your facility case manager or reentry coordinator can help navigate this process.

County jail releases often get little or no document assistance. Jail stays are shorter, and most county jails do not have formal reentry ID programs. If you are released from county jail without ID, your best resources are:

  • Call 211 for local reentry and ID assistance programs
  • Contact your local Legal Aid office for help with documents
  • Ask your parole/probation officer about ID assistance
  • Visit a local shelter or reentry center -- many help with document recovery
  • Some DMV offices accept jail release paperwork as a secondary form of ID

Born in a Different State?

If you were born in a state other than Connecticut, you will need to order your birth certificate from the state where you were born. Every state has a vital records office that processes mail-in requests. You can also use VitalChek.com (official partner for most states) to order online, though they charge a processing fee on top of the state fee.

If you are currently incarcerated in Connecticut but were born elsewhere, your case manager or reentry coordinator can often help you request your birth certificate by mail from your birth state. Start this process at least 6 months before your release date, as out-of-state requests can take 4-8 weeks.

Born outside the U.S.? You will need a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (for U.S. citizens born overseas), a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Permanent Resident Card (green card). Contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or a local immigration legal aid organization for help.

Social Security Card -- Key Facts

Replacing your Social Security card is always free -- do not pay anyone for this service. You can get a replacement online at ssa.gov/myaccount, by mail, or in person at any SSA office. You are limited to 3 replacement cards per year and 10 in your lifetime.

Prison-SSA partnership: Many federal and state correctional facilities have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Social Security Administration that allows inmates to apply for replacement cards using their prison ID as proof of identity. Ask your case manager if your facility participates. The SSA processes these applications and mails the card directly to the facility or to a designated release address.

No ID at all? If you have no other identification, the SSA may accept alternative evidence of identity. Visit an SSA office in person and explain your situation. Bring any documents you have, including prison release papers, medical records, or school records. See our guide for getting ID with no documents.

Other Important Documents

U.S. Passport -- A valid federal photo ID that can also serve as proof of citizenship. Useful as a backup ID. Costs $130 (book) or $30 (card). Apply at a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office). See our felon passport guide.
Criminal Record / RAP Sheet -- You have the right to request your own criminal history. This is useful for expungement applications, job interviews, and housing applications. Contact the ConnecticutState Police or use the FBI's Identity History Summary (costs $18, submitted via fingerprint card). See our guide to checking your own record.
Military Discharge Papers (DD-214) -- Veterans need their DD-214 for VA benefits, healthcare, and employment preferences. Request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center (free). Many county recorders also keep copies on file.
Selective Service Registration -- Males 18-25 are required to register. Registration is needed for federal financial aid (Pell Grants), federal jobs, and citizenship applications. Register or verify status at sss.gov.
Educational Transcripts & Vocational Certificates -- If you completed a GED, vocational training, or college courses during incarceration, contact the facility's education department for official transcripts before or soon after release. These documents help with employment and education applications. See our education & training guide.
Voter Registration -- Check your voting eligibility in Connecticut and register to vote. See our Connecticut voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More Connecticut Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to get a Connecticut state ID?
You need proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), your Social Security number, and two documents showing your Connecticut address. You must apply in person at a DMV hub office.
Can I get a Connecticut state ID with a criminal record?
Yes. A criminal record does not prevent you from obtaining a Connecticut state ID. If you are being released from DOC custody, the pre-release program can help you get your ID before you leave.
How do I get a birth certificate if I was born in Connecticut?
You can order from the Department of Public Health Vital Records office in Hartford, from the town clerk where the birth occurred, or online through VitalChek. The cost is $30 per copy. You need valid photo ID and proof of eligibility.
What if I have no identification documents at all?
Start by requesting a replacement Social Security card from SSA (free). Then order your birth certificate ($30). With those documents and proof of address, you can apply for your state ID ($28). Connecticut Legal Services or local reentry organizations can assist.
Can I get my ID at any DMV office?
First-time ID applications must be processed at a DMV hub office (not a branch office). Check the DMV website for the nearest hub office location and hours. You may need to make an appointment.
How long is a Connecticut state ID valid?
Connecticut state ID cards are valid for 6 years from the date of issuance. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.

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Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Requirements and fees change frequently. Contact your local DMV, vital records office, or Social Security office for exact current requirements. For help, call 211 or visit 211.org.
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