The Stamford DMV location and what it handles

The Stamford DMV is located at 1 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. This office serves residents in Stamford and surrounding areas in Fairfield County who need to renew licenses, register vehicles, change their address, or handle other motor vehicle transactions.

Stamford is one of Connecticut's busier DMV locations, so wait times tend to run longer than smaller regional offices. The office handles standard driver's license and ID renewals, vehicle registrations, title transfers, and address changes. If you need a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a hazmat endorsement, you will need to go to a different location — Stamford does not offer those services.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays. Connecticut does not currently offer online scheduling for most transactions at this location, so you will arrive and take a number at the door.

Key Takeaways

  • Stamford DMV is at 1 Strawberry Hill Avenue and handles standard license renewals, vehicle registration, title transfers, and address changes.
  • Wait times are typically longer at Stamford than at smaller regional offices, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • You will need to bring your current license or ID, proof of residency, and vehicle documents depending on your transaction type.
  • The office does not offer commercial driver's license testing or hazmat endorsements — you must go to a different location for those.
  • Bring original documents or certified copies; the DMV will not accept photocopies for most transactions.

Documents you need to bring

What you bring depends on your transaction. For a driver's license renewal, bring your current Connecticut license or ID card, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

For vehicle registration or a title transfer, bring the vehicle's current registration, proof of ownership (the title or bill of sale), proof of insurance, and proof of your address. If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Connecticut, you will also need the vehicle's VIN and odometer reading. Bring your ID as well.

For an address change on your license or ID, bring your current license or ID, proof of your new address, and your Social Security card or document showing your number. Connecticut requires original documents or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted for most transactions.

Wait times and how to minimize them

Stamford typically has wait times of 45 minutes to two hours during peak periods. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the busiest days. Mornings, especially between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., tend to move faster than afternoons. Fridays are often slightly less crowded than mid-week, but still busy.

You cannot reserve a time slot online at Stamford, so arriving early is your best strategy. If you have a straightforward transaction — a license renewal with no name change, for example — you may move through faster than someone handling a title transfer or a first-time registration. Bring all your documents in order so you do not have to leave the line to fetch something from your car.

If you are unable to go in person, Connecticut offers some transactions by mail. License renewals can be done by mail if you meet certain conditions (your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and you are not changing your address). Vehicle registration renewals can also be done by mail. Contact the Stamford office or check the Connecticut DMV website to see if your specific transaction qualifies.

Address changes and what happens after

To change your address on your Connecticut driver's license or ID at Stamford, bring your current license or ID, proof of your new address, and your Social Security card or a document with your number. The fee is $20 for a license address change. The new license or ID will be mailed to your new address within 7 to 10 business days.

If you are changing your address on a vehicle registration, bring your current registration, proof of your new address, and your ID. The fee depends on your vehicle type and registration length. You can also renew your registration and change your address at the same time. The updated registration will be mailed to your new address.

Connecticut requires you to notify the DMV of an address change within 30 days of moving. If you do not update your address and you receive a ticket or are stopped by police, the citation or notice will go to your old address, which can cause problems if you miss a court date or payment important date.

Vehicle registration and title transfers

To register a vehicle in Connecticut at the Stamford office, bring the vehicle's title or bill of sale, proof of insurance, proof of your address, your ID, and the vehicle's VIN and odometer reading. The registration fee varies based on the vehicle's weight and whether it is a passenger car, truck, or motorcycle. Connecticut registration is valid for two years.

For a title transfer — when you buy a used vehicle and need to register it in your name — bring the signed title from the seller, a bill of sale, proof of insurance, proof of your address, and your ID. If the title has a lien (the seller still owes money on the vehicle), the lienholder's information must be on the title. The DMV will issue a new title in your name and mail it to you.

If you are transferring a title from out of state, bring the out-of-state title, proof of insurance, proof of your Connecticut address, and your ID. Connecticut will issue a new Connecticut title. The process takes about two weeks by mail after you submit your documents in person.

License renewals and expiration dates

Connecticut driver's licenses are valid for six years. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. If your license has expired, you can still renew it by mail or in person, but if it has been expired for more than five years, you will need to take a written test and vision test in addition to the renewal fee.

To renew your license in person at Stamford, bring your current license, proof of your address, and your Social Security card or document with your number. The renewal fee is $72 for a six-year license. If you are renewing a license that has been expired for more than five years, you will also pay a late renewal fee and take the written and vision tests. The new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

If you renew by mail, send your current license, a completed process form (DL 43), proof of your address, and a check or money order to the Connecticut DMV. Mail renewals take longer — typically three to four weeks — so plan ahead if your license is expiring soon.

Real ID and REAL ID-compliant licenses

Connecticut offers both standard driver's licenses and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID-compliant license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. A standard Connecticut license does not have the star and cannot be used for domestic flights after May 7, 2025, unless you have a passport or other federal ID.

To get a REAL ID-compliant license at Stamford, bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your address, and proof of citizenship or legal residency. Proof of citizenship can be a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate. The fee for a REAL ID-compliant license is $72 for six years, the same as a standard renewal. The license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

If you do not need a REAL ID-compliant license and your current license works for your needs, you can continue to renew a standard license. However, if you travel by air domestically or visit federal buildings, switching to REAL ID before May 2025 will save you from needing to carry a passport as backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online instead of going to Stamford?

Connecticut does not offer online license renewals. You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and you are not changing your address. Otherwise, you must go in person to Stamford or another DMV location.

What if I do not have proof of my Social Security number?

You can bring a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a tax return, or a benefit statement from Social Security. If you do not have any of these, contact the Stamford DMV before you go — they may ask you to bring additional documents or explore for a Social Security number first.

How long does a title transfer take?

After you submit your documents in person at Stamford, the new title is mailed to you within two weeks. You will receive a temporary registration receipt at the office that you can use to drive the vehicle legally while you wait for the title and permanent registration.

Do I need an appointment to go to Stamford DMV?

No. Stamford does not offer online scheduling. You arrive, take a number at the door, and wait your turn. Arriving early in the morning, especially on a Monday or Wednesday, typically means shorter waits.

What if my vehicle has a lien on it?

The lienholder's name and address must appear on the title. When you register the vehicle, bring the title with the lien information already on it. Connecticut will issue a new registration and title showing the lien. You cannot remove the lien at the DMV — you must pay off the loan and have the lienholder release it.