What You Need to Know About Illinois Duplicate Licenses
A duplicate Illinois driver's license is an exact copy of your current license with the same number, expiration date, and restrictions. The Secretary of State issues duplicates when your original is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use. You can request one in person at a Driver Services facility, by mail, or online through the Illinois Secretary of State website — the method you choose affects how long you wait and what documents you bring.
Illinois does not charge a fee for a duplicate license if you lost or damaged your original. If your license was stolen, you pay the standard replacement fee, which varies depending on your license type and how many years remain until expiration. The duplicate arrives with the same expiration date as your original, so you are not renewing — you are replacing.
Key Takeaways
- You can request a duplicate online, by mail, or in person at any Driver Services facility, and the method you choose determines processing time and what documents you need.
- A lost or damaged license duplicate is free; a stolen license duplicate costs a replacement fee that depends on your license type and remaining validity.
- Online requests process fastest (usually within 5 to 7 business days) but require you to upload a photo and proof of identity from your computer.
- In-person requests at a Driver Services facility take the longest to process but let you walk out with a temporary license the same day.
- You must report a stolen license to local police and bring the police report number when you request the duplicate.
Request a Duplicate Online Through the Secretary of State Website
The fastest route is the online duplicate request through the Illinois Secretary of State's Driver Services portal. You log in with your existing Illinois driver's license number and date of birth, upload a new photo and proof of identity, and pay by credit or debit card if your license was stolen. The system generates a confirmation number when ready, and your duplicate ships within 5 to 7 business days.
You need a digital photo that meets the Secretary of State's specifications: head-on, clear face, no sunglasses, taken within the last 30 days, and saved as a JPG or PNG file. You also need to upload a copy of one document proving your identity — a passport, military ID, or another state's driver's license. If your original license was stolen, you must have filed a police report first and have the report number ready when you submit the request online.
The online system does not let you change your address, add or remove restrictions, or correct errors on your license. If you need any of those changes, you must request the duplicate in person at a Driver Services facility instead.
Mail a Duplicate Request to the Secretary of State
You can mail a duplicate request to the Illinois Secretary of State's Driver Services division. Print the process for Duplicate Driver's License or Permit (Form DL 953) from the Secretary of State website, fill it out by hand, and mail it with a check or money order (if your license was stolen) and a copy of your ID to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your envelope.
Include a photocopy of one of these documents: your passport, military ID, another state's driver's license, or a certified copy of your birth certificate. If your license was stolen, include a copy of the police report showing the report number. Do not send original documents — the Secretary of State does not return them.
Mail is slower than the online method and gives you no way to track your request until the duplicate arrives. If you need the license urgently, request it in person instead.
Get a Duplicate in Person at a Driver Services Facility
Walk into any Illinois Driver Services facility with your original documents, and you can walk out with a temporary paper license the same day. The facility prints your duplicate on a plastic card and mails it to your address on file; the temporary license is valid for 30 days while you wait for the card to arrive.
Bring your Social Security number (or a document showing it), proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and one document proving your identity. If your license was stolen, bring a copy of the police report with the report number visible. If your license was damaged, bring the damaged card itself so the staff can see why you need a duplicate.
You pay the replacement fee in cash, by check, or by card at the facility. Processing takes about 15 minutes, and the facility gives you a receipt showing your temporary license number. The plastic duplicate arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
What to Do If Your License Was Stolen
Report the theft to your local police department before you request the duplicate. You need the police report number when you submit your request — online, by mail, or in person. The report does not have to be filed on the same day as the theft, but the sooner you file it, the sooner you can request the duplicate.
When you file the police report, ask the officer for the report number and a copy of the report itself. Keep both. If you request the duplicate online or by mail, you will type or write the report number into the form. If you request it in person, bring a copy of the report so the staff can verify it.
A stolen license costs the replacement fee. A lost or damaged license does not.
Fees and Payment Methods
A duplicate for a lost or damaged license is free. A duplicate for a stolen license costs a replacement fee. The fee amount depends on your license type (Class D for regular driving, Class M for motorcycle, etc.) and how many years remain until your license expires. Fees range but are typically between $5 and $30 for a few years of validity remaining.
You can pay by cash, check, or card at a Driver Services facility. Online requests accept credit and debit cards only. Mail requests require a check or money order made out to the Secretary of State. Do not send cash by mail.
Timeline Comparison: Which Method Is Fastest
| Method | Time to Receive Duplicate | Temporary License | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online request | 5 to 7 business days | No | You have time to wait and a digital photo ready |
| Mail request | 2 to 3 weeks | No | You prefer not to visit a facility |
| In-person at Driver Services | 7 to 10 business days | Yes, valid 30 days | You need to drive before the duplicate arrives |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not assume your address is current on file. If you moved and have not updated your license address, the duplicate will mail to your old address. Update your address at a Driver Services facility before you request the duplicate, or request the duplicate in person and tell the staff your new address so they can correct it in the system.
Do not send original documents by mail. The Secretary of State does not return them. Send photocopies only. If you request a duplicate in person, bring originals so the staff can verify them, but do not hand them over — the staff will look at them and hand them back.
Do not forget the police report number if your license was stolen. The system will not process your request without it. If you cannot find the report number, call the police department's non-emergency line and ask them to look it up by your name and the date you filed.
Do not request a duplicate if you need to change your address, add restrictions, or correct your name. Those changes require a renewal or correction process, not a duplicate request. A duplicate is an exact copy of what you already have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a duplicate if I do not have a digital photo ready?
No, the online system requires you to upload a photo. If you do not have one, request the duplicate by mail or in person instead. At a Driver Services facility, they will take a new photo for you as part of the duplicate process.
What if I moved and my address on file is wrong?
Update your address first at any Driver Services facility, then request the duplicate. If you request the duplicate in person, tell the staff your new address and they can correct it before they process the request. The duplicate will mail to your updated address.
How long is the temporary paper license valid?
The temporary license is valid for 30 days from the date you receive it at the Driver Services facility. It lets you drive while you wait for the plastic duplicate to arrive by mail. Once the plastic card arrives, the temporary license is no longer valid.
Do I need to renew my license if I request a duplicate?
No. A duplicate has the same expiration date as your original. You are not renewing — you are replacing. If your original license is about to expire, you will need to renew separately after the duplicate arrives.
What if the police will not give me a report number for a stolen license?
Call the police department's non-emergency line and explain that you need the report number to request a duplicate license. They can look it up by your name and the date you filed. If you filed the report in person, you should have received a report number or a copy of the report at that time.