Colorado REAL ID for Immigrants 2026: Requirements, Documents, Guide

(COLORADO) Colorado’s DMV will issue a Colorado REAL ID only to immigrants who can prove permanent lawful presence, and that rule stays in place for 2026. If you have temporary lawful presence, expect a standard license marked “Not valid for federal identification, voting, or public benefit purposes,” and plan to fly with a passport or an EAD.

Why the star matters after May 7, 2025

The federal REAL ID rule has been in effect since May 7, 2025. For most travelers, that date changed one thing: to board a domestic flight or enter many federal facilities, you need a REAL ID-compliant card or another accepted document.

A Colorado REAL ID has a star in the upper right corner. Many Colorado credentials issued to eligible people after 2012 already meet the federal standard, so check your card before you reapply.

If you don’t have a REAL ID-compliant card, you can still travel. TSA accepts alternatives such as:

• An unexpired foreign passport
• For many work-authorized immigrants, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766)

Who gets a Colorado REAL ID, and who doesn’t

Colorado limits REAL ID issuance to people with permanent lawful presence. That group includes:

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents with a green card (I-551)
• Asylees and refugees
• Citizens of Freely Associated States (Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Palau)
• Some Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) applicants whose lawful presence is treated as permanent and can be verified through the USCIS SAVE system

Most immigrants in temporary categories are not eligible for a Colorado REAL ID. Examples include:

• F-1 students
• J-1 exchange visitors
• H-1B workers
• B-1/B-2 visitors
• People with pending asylum cases

Even if you move from another state that issued you a REAL ID, Colorado can still place you in the non-REAL ID track.

Colorado does issue standard, non-REAL ID credentials to temporary lawful presence (TLP) applicants, and it issues SB251/standard licenses to undocumented residents. A major change took effect March 31, 2025, under Senate Bill 24-182: undocumented applicants no longer need an SSN or ITIN, tax returns, or two years of Colorado residency proof.

VisaVerge.com reports that this split system often surprises newcomers, because the card you get depends on immigration status, not on how long you’ve lived in Colorado.

Quick reference — Eligibility at a glance

Document prep that avoids repeat DMV trips

For REAL ID-compliant issuance, bring originals or certified copies. Colorado DMV does not accept photocopies or notarized copies for identity and status proofs. Make sure every document matches your full legal name, including hyphens and middle names.

If a document is not in English, bring a certified English translation with an affirmation from the translator. Fix name mismatches before your appointment when possible, because a single spelling difference can stop the transaction.

Eligible immigrants typically need three buckets of documents:

1. Identity and lawful presence evidence
   • Examples: green card (I-551) or an EAD (I-766) that Colorado accepts for the qualifying status.
   • Colorado may use electronic verification through SAVE when required.
2. Social Security number proof
   • Examples: SSN card, W-2, paystub, or an SSA ineligibility letter.
   • Colorado verifies SSNs electronically.
3. Two proofs of Colorado residency
   • Must be dated within one year and show a full street address (no P.O. boxes).
   • Electronic statements are accepted.

Colorado’s DMV publishes checklists that many applicants use as a packing list: DR2300A for general REAL ID requirements and DR2300B for temporary lawful presence documentation.

The application journey, with realistic timeframes

Step 1: Sort your eligibility first (same day)

Start by confirming whether Colorado treats your immigration category as permanent lawful presence.
If yes, prepare for a REAL ID appointment. If no, plan for a standard license and focus on travel alternatives.

This step saves time because DMV staff must follow the state’s eligibility rules — you likely won’t win a counter argument at the window.

Step 2: Build a “DMV packet” (1–7 days)

Set aside one folder for originals and one for copies you keep. Include:

• Your lawful presence document
• Your SSN proof or SSA letter
• Two Colorado address proofs within one year
• A certified translation, if needed

Print electronic bank or utility statements if you worry about phone service at the office. Bring documents that show the same address format — e.g., “Apt 3B” versus “Unit 3B” can trigger extra questions.

Step 3: Book an appointment and plan your day (1–21 days)

Colorado recommends appointments, and walk-ins can be limited. Use the state’s official REAL ID information page for current guidance and office links: Colorado DMV REAL ID and Colorado.

Arrive early and plan for lines even with an appointment. Families should bring any court orders or name-change documents, because the DMV needs the chain that connects every name on every record.

Step 4: In-person visit, payment, and tests (same day)

At the office, you’ll present documents, take a photo, and pay fees. Licensing fees are often about $30–$50, but they vary by type and age.

First-time applicants may need:

• A vision screen
• A written knowledge test
• A road test

Bring corrective lenses if you use them, and bring proof of insurance and vehicle registration for a road test.

Step 5: Temporary paper and mailed card (up to 30 days)

Colorado typically issues a temporary paper credential after approval. The permanent card usually arrives by mail within 30 days, so keep your temporary document with you.

If you must fly soon, don’t wait on the card — use a passport or another TSA-accepted ID for travel.

Key takeaway: the DMV process can be straightforward if you bring correct originals, confirm eligibility before you go, and plan for mailing times.

If you’re ineligible: getting a standard license without panic

Temporary lawful presence applicants often qualify for a standard license even though they cannot get a Colorado REAL ID. Colorado lists acceptable IDs such as:

• A foreign passport valid or expired less than 10 years
• A consular identification card
• An EAD (I-766) valid or expired less than 10 years
• An out-of-state license valid or expired less than 10 years

TLP applicants still need two Colorado residency proofs, but they do not need an SSN. You must apply in person, because the DMV needs to review and verify documents.

Undocumented residents can apply for an SB251/standard license. They:

• Sign the CO-RCSA affidavit
• Show one identity document from their home country valid or expired less than 10 years
• Show one Colorado residency proof (e.g., lease or utility bill)

2026 digital ID news that doesn’t change eligibility

A Colorado bill, House Bill 25-1076, moves digital ID recognition for notarizations to January 1, 2026. That matters for some daily transactions, but it does not expand who qualifies for a REAL ID-compliant credential.

For immigrants, the practical message is simple: plan based on your immigration category, not on digital wallet headlines.

Common problems and how to prevent delays

Most delays come from small paperwork issues, not from big legal ones. Watch for:

• Address proofs older than one year
• Different name spellings across documents
• Missing translations for non-English records
• Expecting a REAL ID when you have temporary lawful presence

If you recently became a permanent resident, bring the newest version of your status document. A clean, current record helps the SAVE verification step move faster.

If you are traveling to a federal building or flying domestically, treat identification like a checklist item: keep your passport and EAD in a safe place, and carry only what you need.

For most people, the plan is:

1. Carry the document you’ll use at TSA (passport or REAL ID)
2. Keep your Colorado license for driving and other everyday purposes

This approach minimizes surprises and ensures you can both travel and drive legally.