, permit, or ID card that has been expired for less than a year and the address listed on your card hasn’t changed, you won’t need to provide additional proof of residence.

Acceptable documents for Colorado proof of address

Proof of address documents must state both your legal name and your current physical address. (Nope, P.O. boxes don’t count!) Examples of acceptable proofs of address include:

A computer-generated bill from a business (utilities, cell phone, credit card statements, bank statements, pay stubs, hospital bills, etc.)

Postmarked first-class mail from a government agency

USPS change of address form (CNL107)

Motor vehicle registration or title

A vehicle lease agreement

home mortgage

or rental contract

A current Colorado homeowners,

renters

, or

vehicle insurance

policy

A transcript or report card from an accredited school

DD 214 (military discharge document)

Letter from a shelter, treatment, or assisted living facility

All documents presented must be written in English or translated into English unaltered.

Pay your bills online? Don’t worry—the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) accepts electronic forms of proof of residency.

These documents don’t qualify as proof of Colorado residency

The Colorado DMV will not accept the following documents:

Documents that only list a P.O. box address

Documents with corrections or changes made to addresses, names, or dates

Junk mail

Hand-written documents

If you’re not sure whether a particular document will be considered a valid proof of address, it never hurts to bring a backup or two.

Exceptions and special circumstances

Special Circumstances	DMV Requirements
Colorado residents under age 21	You must show two proofs of address. Your parent or legal guardian’s proof of current address can be used.
Homeless or unhoused people	If you don’t have a residential address, you'll need a letter from a government entity or a non-profit organization that lists the facility’s name, address, and phone number. The letter should include a legal representative’s name, signature, and a signature date, and the letter should state that the representative will accept delivery of mail addressed to you.
Customers on rural mail delivery routes	You must provide a properly certified government-issued document containing your full name and a description of your Colorado address’s location.
Residents of Halfway Houses or treatment facilities	You must provide a letter from the treatment facility on its letterhead containing its name, address, and telephone number. The letter should include the facility representative's name, signature, and date, and it should indicate they will accept delivery of mail addressed to you.

If you’ve lost all of your identification in a fire or natural disaster, you may be eligible for the
DMV’s Exceptions Processing program
.

How to prove your identity at the Colorado DMV

So, that covers proof of address. But what materials do you need to prove your identity at the DMV?

Generally, all you’ll need is:

Your current Colorado driver’s license, permit, or Colorado ID card (or your expired one, if it’s been less than a year)

Your social security number (FYI: you can provide it verbally)

Unexpired US passport

Certified US birth certificate

Certificate of naturalization/citizenship

If you’re a temporary legal U.S. resident or an undocumented resident, the DMV provides

identification checklists

to confirm what additional documentation you can use to apply for or renew a Colorado license.

FAQs

How do you establish residency in Colorado?

Under state law, you can establish residency in Colorado by meeting at least one of the following criteria:

Becoming employed on a permanent, full-time basis in Colorado

Owning or operating a business in Colorado

Living in Colorado for at least 90 continuous days

Do you need proof of insurance to get a driver's license in Colorado?

Yes—to drive in Colorado, you’re legally required to carry liability car insurance and uninsured motorist insurance, and you need to show insurance for the vehicle you’re driving before you begin the road test component of your driver’s license exam.

Proof of insurance can include an insurance card for your vehicle, an insurance policy or binder, a letter from the insurer on company letterhead, or proof of self-insurance.

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