(CONNECTICUT) Connecticut’s gold-star REAL ID is still out of reach for most immigrants in 2026, because the state DMV limits REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. If you don’t fall in those groups, you can still drive with a standard Connecticut license, but you’ll need another federally accepted ID for airport security.
The restriction has remained in place since the DMV tightened its policy, even though federal REAL ID rules allow many people with temporary status to get a “limited-term” REAL ID in other states. Commissioner Tony Guerrera has said Connecticut struggled with the logistics of issuing short-term cards tied to changing immigration documents.
Who can get a Connecticut REAL ID in 2026
As of December 26, 2025, the Connecticut DMV issues a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or non-driver ID—marked by a gold star in the top right corner—only to:
- U.S. citizens
- Lawful permanent residents (LPRs), including conditional residents
For immigrants, that means a green card holder can qualify, but most people with temporary or pending status cannot.
The ineligible list includes:
- Refugees, asylees, and asylum applicants
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and applicants
- DACA recipients
- Humanitarian parolees
- Many visa holders (for example, H-1B and F-1 students)
Immigration lawyers have been pushing Connecticut to follow the federal model, where limited-term REAL IDs can be issued for the length of a person’s lawful stay. Attorneys Dana Bucin and Chris Llinas, both leaders in the Connecticut chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, have been part of that advocacy since 2023. Attorney David Bauer has said he remains hopeful for a shift, but the policy stood through mid-2025.
What the gold star is used for — and what it is not
REAL ID enforcement for domestic flights and some federal facilities began May 7, 2025, for travelers age 18 and older.
- A Connecticut license without the star remains valid for driving.
- State buildings in Connecticut do not require a REAL ID.
Still, advocates warn that confusion around ID checks can deter people from everyday places. Barbara Lopez, executive director of Make the Road Connecticut, has warned of a “chilling effect” when immigrants fear they’ll be asked for documents at schools or hospitals.
Key takeaway: If you lack the gold star, you can still drive, but you need another federally accepted ID for airport security and certain federal facilities.
Before you book a DMV visit: check your status and your deadline
If you are a lawful permanent resident, the Connecticut REAL ID process works much like it does for citizens, but you must prove identity, lawful presence, and state residency with original documents.
- Bring documents that match the name you want on the card.
- If you changed your name through marriage, divorce, or court order, bring legal name change papers.
Connecticut reports about 73% to 75% of its licenses are already REAL ID-compliant, and that share has leveled off as more immigrants and other excluded groups hit the ceiling.
Documents to bring to a Connecticut DMV REAL ID appointment (LPR applicants)
The DMV requires originals, not photocopies, and it reviews each category at the counter before it issues a REAL ID-compliant credential.
- Identity and lawful presence (bring 1 primary document):
- Many green card holders use a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551).
- Others may use an unexpired foreign passport with a U.S. visa and an I-94 record, or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card.
- Social Security number proof:
- Bring your Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub that shows your full Social Security number.
- Connecticut residency (bring 2 proofs dated within 60 days):
- Utility bills, bank statements, postmarked mail, or a lease that show your full name and current address.
- Bring extra residency papers if your address recently changed.
Connecticut uses the federal SAVE system to verify immigration status before it prints the card.
Quick checklist (LPR applicants)
- Original Form I-551 or other primary identity/lawful presence document
- Social Security card (or W-2 / pay stub showing SSN)
- Two proofs of Connecticut residency (dated within 60 days)
- Legal name-change documents, if applicable
Step-by-step: getting the REAL ID-compliant card at the DMV
Plan for a single in-person visit, but give yourself time to gather documents and fix any mismatches before the appointment date.
- Confirm eligibility (same day): Verify you are a U.S. citizen or an LPR, and that your primary document is valid and unexpired.
- Collect the required documents (1–7 days): Identity, Social Security proof, and two Connecticut residency proofs are common pain points — collect extras.
- Book an appointment (minutes): Use the online scheduling tool or call (860) 263-5700; the DMV has added extra REAL ID slots around peak periods.
- Attend the DMV visit (about 30–90 minutes onsite): Bring originals, complete the transaction at a DMV office, and take a vision test if you’re getting a driver’s license.
- Pay and wait for delivery (up to 20 business days): The fee is $72 for renewal with REAL ID, or $30 to upgrade without renewing; the card is mailed.
When it arrives, look for the gold star in the top right corner — the mark that airport screeners and federal agencies expect.
If you can’t get Connecticut REAL ID: IDs that work for flights in 2026
Many immigrants excluded from Connecticut’s REAL ID program still need to fly for work, family emergencies, or immigration appointments. For domestic air travel, TSA accepts several documents that are not Connecticut driver’s licenses:
- A valid foreign passport
- A U.S. passport or passport card
- A green card (Form I-551)
- An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card (I-766)
- Trusted Traveler cards, such as Global Entry
Keep the document unexpired and in good condition.
The federal rules and the May 7, 2025 deadline are explained on the Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID page: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id. VisaVerge.com reports that state-by-state limits like Connecticut’s have created uneven access.
For immigrants with temporary status: standard licenses and daily life
Connecticut will still issue a standard, non-REAL ID driver’s license or ID to many noncitizens who meet state driving rules, and that card remains valid for driving within the state.
- Applicants often bring similar residency and identity documents.
- Some may also bring an EAD as proof they can work.
Commissioner Guerrera has pointed to the difficulty of matching card validity to expiring immigration statuses, even after Connecticut began accepting EADs more broadly as primary proof in 2024.
Immigration document tips that prevent DMV delays
Small document issues are the top reason a trip to the DMV turns into a second appointment.
- Match names across documents, or bring court or marriage papers that show the change.
- Use residency papers with your full legal name, not a nickname.
- Avoid screenshots; bring printed, dated statements if you use online banking.
- Check immigration record dates, especially if you rely on an I-94 admission record.
For employment authorization, the card is issued after approval of Form I-765, and the card number on the front is labeled I-766.
What to expect at the airport if you don’t have the star
If you show up for a domestic flight with a non-compliant Connecticut license, TSA will ask for another accepted ID, and you risk missing your flight if you don’t have it.
- Carry your passport or EAD in your hand luggage, not checked baggage.
- Keep copies stored safely at home.
- For families with mixed status, plan early: one person’s Connecticut REAL ID does not cover a spouse or adult child — each traveler needs their own ID at security.
If you qualify for a REAL ID, don’t wait until your card expires to act. A missing lease page or an outdated bank statement can derail the visit. Bring extras, pay the fee, and watch for delivery within 20 business days.
Connecticut continues to restrict REAL ID gold-star credentials to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, despite federal allowances for temporary status holders. For immigrants with temporary legal status, a standard license is valid for driving, but alternative identification like a foreign passport or EAD is required for domestic air travel. Applicants must provide original documents proving identity, Social Security, and state residency via the DMV.
