What you need to do to replace your Missouri driver's license

You can replace a Missouri driver's license at any Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) office in person. You cannot renew or replace online or by mail. The process takes about 15 minutes at the window, and you will receive a temporary paper license when ready while your plastic card is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

The fee for a replacement license is $11.50. You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. If your license was stolen, you should also report it to the Missouri State Highway Patrol or your local police department before or after visiting the DOR office — this creates a record that the license is no longer valid.

Key Takeaways

  • Missouri does not offer online or mail replacement; you must visit a DOR office in person with valid ID and proof of residency.
  • The replacement fee is $11.50, and you receive a temporary paper license at the window while your plastic card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
  • If your license was stolen, file a police report to prevent someone else from using it, though this is not required to get a replacement.
  • Your new license will have the same expiration date as your original license unless you renew it at the same time.
  • Bring your Social Security number, a valid ID document, and proof that you live in Missouri — a utility bill or lease works for residency.

Documents you must bring to the DOR office

You need three things: proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. For identity, bring your original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, a military ID, or a state ID from another state. A photocopy of your birth certificate is not acceptable — it must be an official document from the vital records office.

For residency, bring a current utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and Missouri address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you do not have a recent utility bill or lease, you can bring two documents that together show your name and address — for example, a bank statement and a piece of mail from your employer or a government agency.

You do not need to bring your old license, even if you still have it. If your license was lost or damaged, the DOR does not require a police report or proof of loss — you straightforward tell the clerk what happened.

Where to go and how long it takes

Missouri has 16 DOR offices across the state. The main office is in Jefferson City, but most people use their local regional office. You can find the address and hours of your nearest office on the Missouri Department of Revenue website. Many offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but some have different hours, so check before you go.

Wait times vary by location and time of day. Urban offices like Kansas City and St. Louis often have longer waits during lunch hours and late afternoon. If you want to avoid a wait, go early in the morning or mid-week. Some offices do not take appointments, but a few larger locations may offer them — call ahead to ask.

The actual transaction at the window takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will fill out form DL 43 (process for Missouri Driver's License or Noncommercial Driver's License) at the office. The clerk will check your documents, take a new photo, and issue your temporary paper license on the spot.

What happens after you leave the office

Your plastic license card is mailed to the address you provided at the DOR office. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need your license faster, you cannot pay extra for expedited mail — Missouri does not offer that option. Your temporary paper license is valid for driving until your plastic card arrives, so you can use it when ready.

If your plastic card does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DOR office where you applied. They can check the status of your card and reissue it if it was lost in the mail. Do not assume it is lost before 10 days have passed.

If your license was stolen

Report the theft to your local police department or the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Give them your license number if you know it, or your name and date of birth. The police will create a report, and you can reference that report number when you explore for your replacement. This step is not required to get a replacement license, but it creates an official record that your old license is no longer valid and should not be used.

You do not need the police report to replace your license at the DOR office. The DOR will issue a replacement whether or not you have filed a report. However, if you are concerned that someone might use your stolen license for fraud, the police report helps establish that you reported it missing and did not authorize its use.

Replacing a damaged or unreadable license

If your license is damaged, faded, or unreadable — for example, the photo or information is no longer visible — bring it with you to the DOR office. You do not have to bring it, but showing the damage can speed up the process because the clerk will not question why you are replacing a relatively new card. If you do not have the damaged card, straightforward tell the clerk it is damaged and cannot be located.

A replacement for damage costs the same $11.50 as a replacement for loss or theft. You will receive a new card with the same expiration date as your original license.

Renewing and replacing at the same time

If your license is expiring soon or has already expired, you can renew it when you replace it. Bring the same documents plus your expiring or expired license if you have it. The renewal fee is $11.50, the same as the replacement fee, so you pay only $11.50 total, not double. Your new card will have a new expiration date — typically eight years from the date you renew.

If you are replacing a lost or stolen license and your current license is not expiring for several years, you do not have to renew. Your replacement card will keep the original expiration date. You can renew later when that date approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my Missouri license if I moved out of state?

No. You must have a current Missouri address to replace a Missouri license. If you have moved to another state, you should obtain a license from that state instead. If you moved temporarily but still live in Missouri, bring proof of your current Missouri address.

What if I don't have my Social Security number memorized?

You must provide your Social Security number at the DOR office. If you do not know it, bring a document that shows it — a Social Security card, tax return, W-2, or bank statement. You cannot complete the replacement without it.

Do I need to bring the police report if my license was stolen?

No. The police report is optional. You can replace your license with just your ID and proof of residency. A police report is useful if you want an official record that you reported the theft, but it is not required by the DOR.

Will my new license have the same number as my old one?

Yes. Your replacement license will have the same license number as your original. The DOR does not issue new numbers for replacements — only for new licenses issued to people who have never had a Missouri license before.

What if I lost my license and my birth certificate at the same time?

You will need another form of identity. Bring a valid U.S. passport, military ID, or state ID from another state. If you do not have any of those, you can order a certified copy of your birth certificate from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services vital records office before you go to the DOR.