The Office of Public Affairs is reminding Connecticut residents that they will need a new ID to board airplanes beginning next year.

Residents of Connecticut will need a REAL ID to board an airplane for a domestic flight beginning in October 1, 2020.

Connecticut’s REAL ID driver’s licenses and identification cards have a small golden-colored star in the upper right corner to indicate that it meets federal regulations that establish minimum security standards.

Connecticut residents have the option to upgrade to a REAL ID if their license does not currently have the star, or stick with an older, standard driver’s license.

However, a standard credential without the star will not be valid to board a domestic flight or to access secure federal facilities, including military bases and some federal offices.
The standard Connecticut driver’s license will have the words “not for federal identification” printed at the top.

To get the REAL ID star, the Office of Public Affairs says residents will need to visit their local DMV office in person and bring certain documents to prove U.S. Citizenship and state residency. The program is available at DMV offices, participating AAA locations, Milford and North Haven Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union offices, Stamford (operated by the Workplace, Inc.) and West Haven City Hall.

Required documents include one proof of identity, one proof of legal presence, two proofs of Connecticut residency, a Social Security card and a current driver’s license if you are applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state.

For more information and details about how to obtain a real id driver’s license or identification card in Connecticut, call 860-263-5700 within the Hartford area or 800-840-8222 elsewhere in Connecticut or click here.