Yes, Colorado issues Real ID-compliant driver's licenses and identification cards

Colorado began issuing Real ID-compliant licenses in 2009 and continues to do so today. The state calls its compliant credential the Colorado REAL ID Driver's License or Colorado REAL ID Identification Card. You can recognize it by a gold star in the upper right corner of the card. If you currently hold a Colorado driver's license or ID without that star, your credential is not Real ID-compliant and will not meet federal requirements for domestic air travel or entry to federal facilities after the federal important date.

Colorado does not force you to get a Real ID license. The state still issues standard (non-compliant) driver's licenses and ID cards for people who do not need them. However, if you plan to fly domestically or enter a federal building, courthouse, or military base, you will need either a Real ID license, a passport, a passport card, a military ID, or a trusted traveler card like Global Entry.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado's Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and is issued at the same time as a standard license if you provide the required documents.
  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of Colorado residency, proof of Social Security number, and a completed process (Form DL-43 or DL-44) to get a Real ID license.
  • Real ID licenses cost the same as standard licenses in Colorado and are valid for eight years for adults under 65 and five years for adults 65 and older.
  • If you already hold a Colorado driver's license or ID, you can renew it as a Real ID credential at your next renewal without paying an extra fee.
  • Colorado's Real ID important date compliance means the state has met all federal requirements, so any license issued now will be compliant if you provide the necessary documents.

What documents you need to bring to get a Colorado Real ID license

Colorado requires four categories of documents to issue a Real ID license. You must bring originals or certified copies—photocopies are not accepted for most documents.

Proof of identity: A valid U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, certified birth certificate, or foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. Your document must show your full legal name, date of birth, and a photograph (if the document type normally includes one).

Proof of Colorado residency: A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The document must show your name and current Colorado address. A rental agreement or lease signed by both you and your landlord also works.

Proof of Social Security number: Your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a letter from the Social Security Administration. The document must show your full name and complete Social Security number.

Completed process: Form DL-43 (for a driver's license) or Form DL-44 (for an identification card). You can fill these out before you arrive at the DMV office, or you can complete them there. Both forms are available on the Colorado Department of Revenue website.

The step-by-step process at a Colorado DMV office

Colorado does not require you to schedule an appointment for a Real ID license, but many DMV offices have long wait times. You can check wait times online at the Colorado DMV website before you go, and some offices allow you to reserve a time slot online.

When you arrive at a Colorado DMV office with your documents, follow this order: First, check in at the front desk and tell the staff member you are explore for a Real ID license. Second, you will be called to a document review window, where a staff member will examine your proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number. If any document is missing or does not meet the requirement, the staff member will tell you what you need to bring back. Third, if your documents are accepted, you will move to the photo and signature window, where you will have your photograph taken and sign your process. Fourth, you will pay the license fee and receive a receipt with your temporary driving privileges. Your Real ID license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Bring your Social Security card or other proof of your number in its original form—do not rely on memory or a photocopy. Bring a document showing your current address; if you recently moved and your utility bill or lease has not caught up, bring a piece of mail from a government agency or financial institution dated within 60 days.

Real ID license fees and validity periods in Colorado

A Colorado Real ID driver's license costs the same as a standard driver's license: $31.50 for an eight-year license (for adults under 65) or $16.75 for a five-year license (for adults 65 and older). There is no additional charge for the Real ID star. An identification card (non-driver) costs $20 for eight years or $10 for five years.

Your Real ID license is valid for the full term printed on the card. You do not need to renew it early or pay extra to "set up" the Real ID feature. When your license expires, you can renew it as a Real ID credential by mail, online, or in person, depending on your situation and how long it has been since your last in-person visit.

Renewing a Colorado driver's license as a Real ID credential

If you already hold a Colorado driver's license or ID card and it is approaching expiration, you can renew it as a Real ID credential at your next renewal. You do not have to wait until your current license expires—you can renew up to one year early.

If your last in-person visit to a DMV office was fewer than eight years ago, you may be able to renew by mail or online without returning to an office. The Colorado DMV website will tell you which renewal method is available for your situation. If you renew by mail or online, your new license will be Real ID-compliant as long as you provided the required documents when you first obtained your current license.

If your last in-person visit was more than eight years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office and bring the same four categories of documents (proof of identity, residency, Social Security number, and a completed process) that you would bring for a new license. This in-person requirement exists because Colorado must verify your identity and residency documents again after that length of time.

What to do if you have a Colorado license without the Real ID star

A Colorado driver's license or ID card without a gold star in the upper right corner is not Real ID-compliant. If you hold one and you need a compliant credential, you have two options: renew your license early at a DMV office, or wait until your current license expires and renew it then.

You cannot upgrade a non-compliant license to a Real ID license by mail or online. You must visit a DMV office in person, bring the four required document categories, and complete a new process. The staff member will issue you a Real ID license on the spot (after your photo and signature are taken), and you will receive it by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Your old license will remain valid until the new one arrives.

If you choose to wait until your current license expires, you can renew it as a Real ID credential at that time, provided your last in-person visit was fewer than eight years ago. If it has been longer, you will need to visit an office in person regardless.

Common mistakes to avoid when explore for a Colorado Real ID license

The most common reason Colorado DMV staff reject applications is missing or incorrect proof of residency. A utility bill or lease must be dated within the last 60 days and show your current address. If you recently moved, bring a recent piece of mail from a government agency, bank, or insurance company—not a personal letter or receipt from a store. Do not bring a bill addressed to a previous address, even if it arrived recently.

Another frequent mistake is bringing a photocopy of your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. Colorado requires the original document. If you do not have your Social Security card, bring a W-2, 1099, tax return, or a letter from the Social Security Administration instead.

A third mistake is not bringing a completed process form. While you can fill out Form DL-43 or DL-44 at the DMV office, arriving with it already completed speeds up the process and reduces errors. read the form from the Colorado Department of Revenue website, fill it out at home, and bring it with you.

Finally, do not assume your current Colorado license is Real ID-compliant just because you obtained it recently. Check for the gold star in the upper right corner. If it is not there, your license is not compliant, and you will need to renew it in person to get a Real ID credential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Colorado Real ID license if I do not have a Social Security number?

No. Colorado law requires proof of a Social Security number to issue any driver's license or ID card, including a Real ID credential. If you are not may be able to access for a Social Security number, you cannot obtain a Colorado driver's license or ID card through the standard process. Contact the Colorado DMV directly to ask about alternatives for non-citizens or people in specific immigration situations.

How long does it take to get a Colorado Real ID license in the mail?

Colorado typically delivers a Real ID license within 7 to 10 business days of your in-person visit to a DMV office. You will receive a temporary driving permit at the office that you can use when ready. If your license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Colorado DMV to check the status.

Do I need a Real ID license to drive within Colorado?

No. A standard (non-Real ID) Colorado driver's license is valid for driving anywhere in the state and throughout the United States. Real ID is required only for domestic air travel, entry to federal buildings, and entry to military bases. For driving, either type of license works.

Can I renew my Colorado Real ID license online if I lost my old one?

No. If your license was lost or stolen, you must visit a DMV office in person to report it and obtain a replacement. Bring the same documents you would bring for a new license process. The replacement will be a Real ID credential if you provide the required documents.

What if my name has changed since I got my current Colorado license?

You must visit a DMV office in person and bring proof of your name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Bring this document along with the four standard Real ID document categories. The staff member will issue you a new Real ID license with your updated legal name.