Where to go and what to bring

You can replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Missouri driver's license at any Driver License Office run by the Missouri Department of Revenue. The fastest route is to visit in person — you'll walk out with a temporary paper license the same day and receive your plastic card by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you cannot visit an office, you can request a replacement by mail, though the process takes longer.

Before you go, gather these documents: your current Missouri ID or passport (to prove identity), proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days). If your license was stolen, bring a police report or the case number.

Find your nearest Driver License Office on the Missouri Department of Revenue website. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by location. Some offices accept walk-ins only; others use an online appointment system. Check your specific office's page before you go.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit any Missouri Driver License Office in person to get a temporary paper license on the same day and a replacement card within 7 to 10 business days.
  • Bring a current ID, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your address dated within 90 days.
  • If your license was stolen, bring a police report or case number to speed up the process.
  • You can also request a replacement by mail, but it takes 2 to 3 weeks longer than an in-person visit.
  • The replacement fee is $11.50 for a standard license; Real ID licenses cost more and require additional documents.

What the replacement costs

A standard Missouri driver's license replacement costs $11.50. If you want to upgrade to a Real ID at the same time — which you will need to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025 — the cost is $24.50. Real ID requires one additional document proving your address, such as a mortgage statement or utility bill, but you can bring the same documents you would use for a standard replacement.

Payment is cash, check, or card, depending on the office. Some offices accept all three; others are cash only. Call ahead if you are unsure. If you are replacing a license that was stolen, you do not pay an extra fee — the $11.50 covers the replacement itself.

Replacing your license by mail

If you cannot visit an office in person, you can request a replacement by mail. Send a letter to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver License Bureau, P.O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105. Include your name, date of birth, current address, and the reason for replacement (lost, stolen, or damaged). Attach copies of your identity document, Social Security proof, and address proof — do not send originals.

Include a check or money order for $11.50 (or $24.50 for Real ID) made out to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The entire process takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the office receives your letter. There is no way to track the status of a mail request, so allow extra time before you need the card.

Mail replacement is slower and offers no temporary license, so use it only if an in-person visit is truly impossible. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you will need to obtain a temporary driving permit or arrange alternative transportation.

Getting a temporary license to drive now

When you visit a Driver License Office in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. This temporary allows you to drive legally while you wait for your plastic card. Write down the number on the temporary — you may need it if you are pulled over.

If you applied by mail, you do not receive a temporary. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you have two options: visit an office in person to get the temporary, or obtain a temporary driving permit from any Missouri Driver License Office. A temporary permit costs $5 and is valid for 30 days. You can renew it once for another 30 days if your replacement has not arrived.

If your license was stolen

Report the theft to local police and get a case number or written report. Bring this to the Driver License Office — it flags your old license as stolen in the system and prevents someone else from using it. You do not need the police report to replace the license, but having it speeds up the process and protects you if the stolen license is used fraudulently.

If you discover fraudulent activity on your account after the theft, contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Identity Theft Unit or file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. Keep copies of the police report and any correspondence with the Driver License Office for your records.

Replacing a damaged or unreadable license

If your license is physically damaged but still readable, you can replace it at any Driver License Office using the same process as a lost or stolen license. Bring the damaged card itself if you have it — the office will take it and destroy it. If the card is unreadable due to wear or damage, the office will issue a replacement without requiring a police report.

Damaged licenses are common after years of use, water damage, or wear in a wallet. The replacement process is identical to replacing a lost license, and the fee is the same: $11.50 for a standard license or $24.50 for Real ID.

Real ID and your replacement license

If your original license was a standard Missouri driver's license, your replacement will also be standard unless you request Real ID. Real ID is a federal security standard required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings starting May 7, 2025. If you want your replacement to be Real ID-compliant, tell the office staff when you arrive, or write it in your mail request.

Real ID requires the same identity and Social Security documents as a standard license, plus one additional document proving your address — typically a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement. The Real ID card looks the same as a standard license but has a gold star in the upper right corner. It costs $24.50 instead of $11.50.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my replacement license?

If you visit a Driver License Office in person, you get a temporary paper license when ready and the plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you explore by mail, the entire process takes 2 to 3 weeks. The temporary paper license is valid for 45 days, so you can drive legally while you wait.

Can I replace my license online?

No. Missouri does not offer online replacement for lost, stolen, or damaged licenses. You must visit an office in person or mail a request. You can renew a valid license online, but replacement requires proof of identity and address, which must be verified in person or by mail.

What if I don't have a Social Security card?

You can prove your Social Security number with a W-2, tax return, 1099 form, or Social Security statement. You do not need the card itself. Bring whichever document you have that shows your number.

Do I need a police report if my license was stolen?

No, but it helps. A police report flags your old license as stolen and protects you if someone tries to use it. If you do not have a report, you can still replace the license — just tell the office staff it was stolen, and they will note it in the system.

Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?

No. You must pick up your temporary license in person at the Driver License Office. Your plastic replacement card is mailed to the address you provide, so anyone at that address can receive it, but the temporary must be obtained by you.