How to Get ID
When you apply for ID documents, it can be hard to figure out what to do first and how to get all the papers together. If you need help with this, you can ask the McKinney-Vento Liaison at your school, your case manager, your DCF worker, your probation officer, or call 211 and ask about local programs helping youth.
Where should I start if I do not have any of my vital documents?
If you do not have any of your vital documents, we suggest you start by getting your birth certificate. Look below in the birth certificate section to see the list of other documents you can use for identification, or go to portal.ct.gov/DPH and click on Vital Records, then click on Births.
Connecticut State ID
Where do I go to get a Connecticut ID?
- Wethersfield DMV, 60 State Street
- New Britain DMV, 85 North Mountain Road
- Bridgeport DMV, 95 Sylvan Avenue (Use 60 North Avenue for GPS Searches)
- Hamden DMV, 1985 State Street
For more options, click here or go to ct.gov/dmv and type CT DMV ID in the search box.
You must go in person. Plan to spend around 5 hours. Mornings are the best time to go.
What should I bring to get a Connecticut ID?
- Completed Connecticut ID Card Application (Form B-230)
Get the form at the DMV office, click here to download, or go to ct.gov/dmv and
type B-230 in the search box. - One primary form of identification: US birth certificate (original long form with stamp) or passport and
One secondary form of identification: out-of-state ID or driver’s license, military ID, gun permit, court order with full name, marriage certificate, certified school transcript, social security card, DOC certificate. Click here to see which other documents qualify or go to ct.gov/dmv and type Acceptable ID docs in the search box. - Your social security card or W-2 form
- Proof of residency: two pieces of mail from different senders that show your full name, Connecticut address, typed and mailed in the last 90 days. These can be utility bills, bank statements, pay stubs, or school letters. If the mail is addressed to your parent, your parent must be at the DMV office with you. If you are not living in a stable place, you can have them addressed to a shelter or you could ask a drop in center if you can have the letters sent there.
- If you have legal status in the US, bring your proof of resident alien identification card, green card, and/or other documentation.
What does it cost to get a Connecticut ID Card?
The fee for the first time ID card is $22.50 in cash or money order made out to DMV. They will not take personal checks.
Can I get an ID if I am experiencing homelessness?
The law allows people staying in a Connecticut shelter to get a free ID. Ask the shelter for a letter stating that you are staying there. They must include your full name and the shelter’s address.
City ID
Where do I go to get a City ID?
Bridgeport: 999 Broad Street
Click here for information or go to bridgeportct.gov/vitalrecords and click on Municipal ID Card
Hartford: Public Library locations at 500 Main St, 1250 Albany Ave, or 744 Park St
Click here for information or go to Hartford.gov/hartfordcityid
New Haven: Office of Vital Statistics at City Hall, 165 Church Street
Click here for information or go to newhavenct.gov and type Elm City Resident Card in the search box.
Birth Certificate
If I do not have my birth certificate, can I get a new one?
Yes. You can apply for a replacement Birth Certificate with the state, with the town you live in, or the town your mother lived in when you were born. You can also apply online.
Minors
You will need consent from your parent, guardian, grandparent, or attorney if you are under 18, unless you are moving around, homeless, house hopping, couch surfing …
If you do not have a permanent place to live, the McKinney-Vento liaison at your school, or an agency serving youth who are housing unstable, can help you. You can call 211 and ask for contact information for local programs helping youth who experience homelessness.
To apply for a new birth certificate, you have to go in person with the McKinney-Vento liaison or a staff person from a youth agency with you. To find out more about who can help you, click here or go to speakupteens.org and click on Identification.
State application
Click here or go to portal.ct.gov and type Birth Certificate application in the search box.
If you do not have a state ID, click here for a list of other documents you can use for identification, or go to portal.ct.gov/DPH and click on Vital Records, then on Births.
Mail your state application, $30 payment and copies of your documents to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section, Customer Services
410 Capitol Avenue, MS #11VRS
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Town application
Click here or go to portal.ct.gov and type Town Vital Record in the search box and follow Vital Records links to Births.
If you do not have a state ID, click here for a list of other documents you can use, or go to portal.ct.gov/DPH and click on Vital Records, then on Births.
Mail your town application, $20 payment and copies of your documents to the town. Call the town to find out where to mail this.
You can also go to the town vital records office where your mother lived when you were born.
Online
You can go to vitalchek.com to order your birth certificate online.
Social Security Card
If I do not have my Social Security Card, how do I get one?
Complete and print out the application here (ssa.gov and type Social Security Card in the search box).
What documents do I need?
To get a replacement social security card, you must prove your identity by bringing one of these documents with you: US driver’s license, state-issued non-driver ID card, or US passport. If you have to prove US citizenship, you can use your birth certificate or passport.
To find the address of your local Social Security office, click here or go to ssa.gov and type Office Locator in the search box.
What if I don’t have the documents I need?
If you do not have the documents listed above, or cannot get a replacement for them within ten days, Social Security will ask to see other documents, such as an employee ID card, school ID card, health insurance card or US military ID card.
To prove your age, Social Security must see a birth certificate.
What if I don’t have a birth certificate?
If a birth certificate does not exist, Social Security may accept a religious record made before the age of 5 showing your date of birth, US hospital record of your date of birth, or US passport.
If you lived outside the US, they may accept other records showing long-term residence outside the US. If you do not have these, you may be able to show other documents. Talk to Social Security to find out.
What if I am not a US citizen?
To prove immigration status, Social Security must see your current US immigration documents. These documents include 1-94 Arrival/Departure Record or admission stamp in your unexpired foreign passport, 1-766 Employment Authorization Documents, EAD, work permit, and Form I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Card, machine Readable Immigrant Visa) with your unexpired foreign passport.
All documents must be originals or copies that are certified by the issuing agency. Social Security cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies or receipts showing you have applied for a document.
A replacement social security card is free but you are limited to 3 in a year or 10 in a lifetime.
