What a Colorado ID Card Is and Who Can Get One

A Colorado identification card is a state-issued photo ID that proves who you are. It is not a driver's license — you do not need to pass a driving test or have a vehicle to get one. The state issues it through the Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and it works as proof of identity for banks, airports, voting locations, and age-restricted purchases.

You can get a Colorado ID card if you are a resident of Colorado. The state defines a resident as someone who lives in Colorado and intends to stay, which usually means you have a lease, mortgage, utility bill, or other document showing a Colorado address. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you do need to prove your identity and residency.

The card is valid for five years if you are under 21, and eight years if you are 21 or older. After that, you renew it by mail or in person at a DMV office.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need proof of identity (a birth certificate, passport, or consular document), proof of Colorado residency (a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number to explore.
  • You can explore in person at any Colorado DMV office, and the card is issued on the spot if all documents are correct.
  • The fee is $20 for a five-year card if you are under 21, or $30 for an eight-year card if you are 21 or older.
  • If you do not have a birth certificate or passport, you can use a consular ID card, tribal ID, or military discharge papers as proof of identity.
  • You will need to pass a vision test and have your photo taken at the DMV office.

Documents You Need to Bring

Colorado requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You do not submit documents by mail — you bring originals or certified copies to the DMV office in person.

Proof of identity means one of these: a U.S. birth certificate (original or certified copy), a valid U.S. passport, a consular identification card issued by your country's embassy or consulate, a tribal ID card, or a military discharge certificate (DD-214). If your birth certificate is from outside the U.S., it must be certified and in English or accompanied by an official English translation.

Proof of residency must show your current Colorado address. The DMV accepts a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a homeowner's insurance policy, or a bank or credit card statement. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you live with someone else and do not have a bill in your name, you can bring a notarized letter from the person whose name is on the bill, plus a copy of that bill.

You will also need to provide your Social Security number. You do not bring a card — you straightforward tell the DMV your number, and they verify it with the Social Security Administration.

Where to explore and What to Expect

You explore in person at any Colorado DMV office. The state operates offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Pueblo, and other cities. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Colorado DMV website.

You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations ask you to reserve a time slot online to reduce wait times. Check your local office's page before you go. Bring all your documents, your Social Security number, and the $20 or $30 fee (cash, check, or card — policies vary by office, so call ahead if you want to confirm).

At the office, a staff member will check your documents, ask you to sign an process form, and take your photo. You will also pass a vision test — you read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. The vision test takes less than a minute.

If all your documents are in order, you receive your ID card on the spot. If something is missing or incorrect, the staff member will tell you what you need to fix and whether you can come back the same day or need to return another time.

If You Do Not Have a Birth Certificate

A birth certificate is the easiest proof of identity, but it is not the only one. If you do not have one, you can use a valid U.S. passport, a consular ID card, a tribal ID, or a military discharge certificate instead. Any of these will work on their own.

If you need to get a birth certificate later, you order it from the state or country where you were born. That process takes weeks and costs money, so if you already have a passport or consular ID, use that instead and save yourself the time.

If you were born outside the U.S. and do not have a passport or consular ID yet, a consular ID is often faster to get than a U.S. passport. You contact your country's embassy or consulate in the U.S., bring proof of citizenship and identity, and they issue the card. The time and cost vary by country.

Renewing Your Colorado ID Card

When your card is about to expire, the DMV mails you a renewal notice. You can renew by mail if your address has not changed and your vision has not changed significantly. You send back the renewal form, a new photo (you can take one yourself or have the DMV take one), and the renewal fee ($20 or $30, depending on your age).

If your address has changed, you need to renew in person at a DMV office and bring proof of your new residency. If your vision has changed, you can still renew by mail, but you will need to pass a vision test at a DMV office within a certain time after renewal.

Renewal by mail usually takes two to three weeks. If you need the card sooner, go to a DMV office in person and renew on the spot.

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Card

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement at any DMV office. Bring your proof of identity and residency again (the same documents as a new process), and pay the replacement fee, which is the same as the original fee ($20 or $30).

If your card was stolen, you do not have to report it to the police first, but you can if you want to. The DMV will issue a new card with a new number, so the old card will no longer be valid.

If your card is damaged but still readable, you can still use it. If it is too damaged to scan or read, bring it to the DMV and they will replace it.

What to Do If You Are Denied

The DMV can deny an ID card process if your documents do not match, if you cannot pass the vision test, or if you do not meet the residency requirement. If you are denied, the DMV will tell you why in writing.

If your documents do not match — for example, your birth certificate shows a different name than your current legal name — you will need to bring proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you cannot pass the vision test, you may need glasses or contacts, or you may have a vision problem that requires a doctor's evaluation. Talk to the DMV staff about what options are available.

If you are not yet a Colorado resident, you can explore once you have lived in Colorado long enough to have a residency document dated within the last 60 days. This usually means a few weeks after you move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Colorado ID card to fly on an airplane?

Yes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts Colorado ID cards as valid identification for domestic flights. You will need to show it at airport security. It does not work for international flights — you need a passport for those.

What if my name has changed since my birth certificate was issued?

Bring your birth certificate and proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will issue the card in your current legal name.

Do I need a Colorado ID card if I have a driver's license?

No. A driver's license is also a valid photo ID in Colorado and works for the same purposes. You only need an ID card if you do not drive or do not have a license.

How long does it take to get a Colorado ID card?

If you explore in person at a DMV office with all the correct documents, you receive the card the same day. If you are missing a document, you may need to return another time. Renewal by mail takes two to three weeks.

Can I get a Colorado ID card if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. You do not need to be a citizen. You need to prove your identity with a passport, consular ID, or other accepted document, and prove that you live in Colorado. Undocumented immigrants can get a Colorado ID card.