What You Need to Do Right Now
To get a replacement driver's license in Illinois, you have two options: visit a Secretary of State facility in person, or order online through the Illinois Secretary of State website if your license was lost or stolen (not damaged). The in-person route takes about 15 minutes and costs $20. The online route costs $25 and takes 7 to 10 business days for delivery. You cannot renew and replace at the same time — these are separate transactions.
You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. If you are ordering online, you also need a valid payment method. If you are going in person, bring a document that proves your current address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois offers both in-person replacement at any Secretary of State facility and online ordering for lost or stolen licenses only.
- The in-person replacement costs $20 and is processed when ready; online replacement costs $25 and arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
- You must bring proof of your current address to any in-person visit, such as a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days.
- Damaged licenses must be replaced in person and require you to surrender the damaged card.
- Your new license will have the same number and expiration date as your original license unless you are also renewing.
Replacing Your License in Person at a Secretary of State Facility
Walk into any Secretary of State Driver Services facility with your proof of address and payment method. You do not need an appointment. Bring your Social Security number and date of birth — you can provide these verbally. The staff will take a new photo, print your replacement license on the spot, and you will leave with it the same day.
Proof of address must be an original document or certified copy dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and address. A cell phone bill does not count. If you do not have proof of address, you can bring two documents that together show your name and address, such as a voter registration card plus a piece of mail from a government agency.
Bring a payment method — cash, debit card, or credit card. The fee is $20 for a standard replacement. If your license was damaged, you must surrender the damaged card to the staff. If it was lost or stolen, you do not need to bring anything else.
Ordering Your Replacement License Online
Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and select "Order a Replacement License" from the Driver Services menu. This option is available only if your license was lost or stolen — not if it was damaged. You will enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity and ask you to confirm your current address.
Pay the $25 fee with a debit card or credit card. You will receive a confirmation number by email. Your replacement license will be mailed to the address on file and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. During this time, you can still drive legally using your confirmation email as proof that you have ordered a replacement.
If you do not receive your license within 10 business days, contact the Secretary of State Driver Services line at 217-782-6900. Have your confirmation number ready. Do not order a second replacement until you have confirmed with the office that the first one was not processed.
What Happens If Your License Was Damaged
Damaged licenses cannot be replaced online. You must visit a Secretary of State facility in person and bring the damaged card with you. The staff will take it and issue a new one on the spot. The replacement fee is still $20.
Damage includes water damage, fading, cracks, peeling, or any condition that makes the card unreadable or unusable. If your license is still readable and functional, Illinois does not consider it damaged for replacement purposes. If you are unsure, call the Driver Services line at 217-782-6900 before making a trip.
Your New License Number and Expiration Date
Your replacement license will have the same license number as your original. The expiration date will also remain the same — it does not change when you replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card. If your original license expired while it was lost or stolen, you will need to renew it separately after you receive your replacement.
A replacement is not a renewal. If you need to renew your license (because it has expired or is about to expire), you must do that in a separate transaction. You can renew online at cyberdriveillinois.com or in person at any Secretary of State facility. Renewing costs $30 for a standard four-year license.
Secretary of State Facility Locations and Hours
Illinois has Driver Services facilities in Chicago, Springfield, and several other cities. The main Chicago facility is at 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. The Springfield facility is at 501 S. Second Street and keeps the same hours.
Smaller facilities in other cities may have different hours. Before you go, check cyberdriveillinois.com for the location nearest you and confirm its hours. Some facilities close for lunch or have reduced Saturday hours. You can also call 217-782-6900 to confirm hours or find a facility close to your home or workplace.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not order a replacement online if your license was damaged — you must go in person. Do not bring an expired utility bill or lease as proof of address; it must be dated within the last 60 days. Do not assume your new license will have a new expiration date; it will have the same one as your original unless you also renew.
Do not order a second replacement while waiting for the first one to arrive. If you have not received it after 10 business days, call the office instead. Do not try to use an online confirmation email as your license for more than 30 days; if your replacement has not arrived by then, contact the office to find out what happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my confirmation email as a valid ID while I wait for my replacement?
Yes, but only for a limited time. Your confirmation email from the online order is considered proof that you have a valid license and can be used as ID for driving and other purposes for up to 30 days. After 30 days, if your physical license has not arrived, contact the Secretary of State to investigate.
What if I moved since my original license was issued?
You can still get a replacement, but you must provide proof of your current address. If you moved and your license still shows your old address, bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your new address. After you receive your replacement, you can update your address on the next renewal or by visiting a facility in person.
Do I have to pay the $20 fee if my license was damaged because of a Secretary of State error?
Contact the Secretary of State Driver Services line at 217-782-6900 to report the error. Depending on the circumstances, the office may waive the fee or issue a replacement at no cost. Bring documentation of the error if you have it.
Can someone else pick up my replacement license if I order it online?
No. Online replacements are mailed to the address on file in your record. You cannot have them sent to a different address or held for pickup. If you need to change the mailing address before your replacement arrives, call 217-782-6900 as soon as possible.
What if my replacement license arrives with the wrong information on it?
Contact the Secretary of State when ready at 217-782-6900 with your confirmation number and details of the error. Do not use the license. The office will issue a corrected replacement at no additional charge.