Bring these documents to renew your Colorado license

To renew your Colorado driver's license in person, you need proof of identity, proof of Colorado residency, and your current license. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) accepts a specific list of documents for each category — you cannot substitute one for another. Most people can gather these in an hour or less.

You can renew by mail or online if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and fewer than two years have passed since it expired. If you must renew in person, go to a DMV office with your documents and be prepared to take a new photo and pass a vision test.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring your current Colorado driver's license, one proof of identity, and one proof of residency — the DMV has a specific list of what counts for each.
  • If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written driving test.
  • Proof of residency must show your current address and be dated within the last 60 days — utility bills, lease agreements, and bank statements all work.
  • If you changed your name, you need a certified copy of the document that changed it: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
  • Online and mail renewal are faster and cheaper than in-person renewal, but only work if your license is valid and unrestricted.

Proof of identity documents the DMV accepts

The DMV requires one document from the identity list. A U.S. passport, passport card, or enhanced driver's license from another state all work. If you do not have a passport, a U.S. birth certificate (original or certified copy) paired with a Social Security card works as a combination.

A military ID, tribal ID card, or permanent resident card (green card) also counts as proof of identity on its own. If you were born outside the United States and do not have a green card, bring your Certificate of Naturalization or your I-94 arrival/departure record along with your birth certificate.

Proof of residency: what the DMV will accept

You need one document showing your current Colorado address, dated within the last 60 days. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank or credit card statement all work. The document must have your name and full street address printed on it — a PO box does not count.

If you recently moved and do not yet have a bill or statement in your name, an affidavit of residency signed by a Colorado resident who lives with you can substitute. You can read the affidavit form from the Colorado DMV website. The person signing must bring their own ID to the DMV office.

Name changes require a certified document

If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that changed it. A certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a legal name change all work. "Certified" means a copy issued by the government office that created the original — not a photocopy you made yourself.

You can order a certified marriage certificate from the county clerk's office where you were married, or a divorce decree from the court that issued it. These typically cost $10 to $25 and take one to two weeks by mail. Some counties offer same-day pickup if you go in person.

When you must renew in person instead of online

You can renew online or by mail only if your current license is valid (not expired or suspended), you have no medical restrictions, and it expired fewer than two years ago. If your license has been suspended for any reason — unpaid tickets, child support, DUI, or medical reasons — you must renew in person at a DMV office.

If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person. You may also need to retake the written driving test, depending on how long ago it expired. Call your local DMV office before you go to ask whether you will need to test.

What to expect at the DMV office

Bring all your documents in originals or certified copies — the DMV will not accept photocopies of identity or residency documents. Arrive early; wait times vary by location and time of day, but many offices are busiest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. You can check wait times on the Colorado DMV website before you go.

At the counter, you will take a new photo, pass a vision test, and pay the renewal fee. The fee for a standard five-year license is $33.50. If you want a REAL ID-compliant license (required for federal buildings and domestic flights after May 2025), the fee is $38.50. You will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Online and mail renewal: faster and cheaper

If you are not suspended and your license is not expired, renew online at the Colorado DMV website. Online renewal costs $33.50 for a standard license and takes about 10 minutes. You will use your current license number and answer security questions. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Mail renewal works the same way but takes longer. Send your current license, the renewal form (available on the DMV website), and a check or money order to the address on the form. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope. You do not need to include copies of your identity or residency documents for mail or online renewal — the DMV already has them on file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than two years ago?

Yes, but you must renew in person at a DMV office. Depending on how long ago it expired, you may need to retake the written driving test. Call your local DMV office to ask whether testing is required before you go.

What if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?

You can use a military ID, tribal ID, or permanent resident card as proof of identity on its own. If you have none of these, contact the Colorado DMV to discuss other options — they may ask you to bring additional documents or visit in person to verify your identity.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card?

Only if you are using your birth certificate as proof of identity. The DMV requires a birth certificate paired with a Social Security card. If you have a passport or other single document that works as proof of identity, you do not need the Social Security card.

What if my residency document is older than 60 days?

The DMV will not accept it. Get a newer utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement. If you cannot, ask a Colorado resident you live with to sign an affidavit of residency and bring their ID to the DMV office with you.

How much does it cost to renew online versus in person?

Online renewal costs $33.50 for a standard license. In-person renewal at a DMV office costs the same. The difference is that online renewal is faster and you do not have to wait in line, but you cannot get a REAL ID online — you must go in person for that.