Get a replacement license through the Washington Department of Licensing

To replace a lost driver's license in Washington, you'll contact the Department of Licensing (DOL) and request a duplicate. You can do this in person at any DOL office, by mail, or online through the DOL website. The process is straightforward: you'll pay a fee, provide identification, and receive a new license with the same number and expiration date as your original.

Washington does not charge extra for a lost or stolen license — you pay the standard duplicate fee, which is currently $20 for a standard driver's license. The fee covers the card itself and the processing. If your license was stolen and you want to report it, you can do that at the same time, though it's not required to get a replacement.

The fastest route is usually online or in person. Online replacement takes about 7 to 10 business days for delivery. In-person replacement at a DOL office can be done the same day if you go during business hours, though you'll receive a temporary paper license and the plastic card arrives by mail within two weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • You can replace your lost Washington driver's license online, by mail, or in person at any Department of Licensing office.
  • The replacement fee is $20, and your new license will have the same number and expiration date as your original.
  • Online or in-person replacement is faster than mail; in-person gives you a temporary license the same day.
  • You'll need to show an accepted form of identification, such as a passport, birth certificate, or Social Security card.
  • If your license was stolen, you can report it to DOL at the same time you request the replacement.

Replace your license online through the DOL website

The Washington Department of Licensing website has an online duplicate license request form. Go to dol.wa.gov, find the "Duplicate License" or "Replace Lost License" option, and fill out the form with your name, date of birth, driver's license number (if you remember it), and current address. You'll pay the $20 fee by credit or debit card.

Online replacement works only if your license is not expired and your address on file is current. If either of those is not true, you'll need to go in person or mail your request. After you submit online, the DOL will mail your new license to the address they have on file, which usually takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you submit.

Keep the confirmation number from your online request. It shows proof that you've ordered a replacement in case you need to show it to an employer or for another reason while you wait for the card to arrive.

Replace your license in person at a DOL office

Walk into any Department of Licensing office with your identification and $20, and you can walk out with a temporary paper license the same day. Bring one of these forms of ID: a valid passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, or another government-issued ID. You do not need to bring your old license — in fact, you can't, since it's lost.

The DOL office will take your photo, process your request, and give you a temporary paper license that's valid for driving while you wait for your plastic card. The permanent license arrives by mail in about two weeks. Most DOL offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening or Saturday hours. Check the DOL website for the office nearest you and its hours before you go.

Bring proof of your current address too — a utility bill, lease, or recent bank statement works. If your address on file with DOL is different from where you live now, you'll need to update it at the same time.

Replace your license by mail

Fill out the duplicate license request form (available on the DOL website or by calling 360-902-3900), include a copy of your ID and proof of address, and mail it with a check or money order for $20 to the address listed on the form. Mail replacement takes longer — usually 3 to 4 weeks — because your request has to travel to the DOL office, be processed, and then mailed back to you.

Use mail replacement only if you can't get to an office or use the online form. The in-person and online routes are faster and more reliable because you get when ready confirmation that your request was received.

What to do if you need to drive before your replacement arrives

If you replaced your license in person, you have a temporary paper license valid for driving when ready. If you ordered online or by mail and don't have a temporary license yet, you cannot legally drive until your new plastic license arrives.

If you need to drive before your replacement arrives and you ordered online or by mail, go to a DOL office in person instead. They can issue you a temporary paper license on the spot, and you'll still get your permanent card by mail on the original timeline.

Report a stolen license to law enforcement

If your license was stolen rather than lost, you can report it to local police, though this is not required to get a replacement. A police report creates a record that the license was stolen, which can help if someone tries to use it fraudulently. You can file a report online through your local police department's website or by calling the non-emergency line.

When you request your replacement from DOL, you can note that the license was stolen. This doesn't change the replacement process or fee, but it flags your account so DOL knows the old license should not be used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my temporary paper license to fly or cross the border?

No. A temporary paper license is valid for driving only. For air travel or crossing into Canada or Mexico, you'll need a valid passport, passport card, or REAL ID-compliant driver's license. If your permanent license hasn't arrived yet, use your passport instead.

What if I don't remember my driver's license number?

You don't need it to request a replacement. The DOL can look up your record using your name and date of birth. If you're ordering online and the form asks for your license number, you can leave it blank or enter what you remember — the DOL will find your account either way.

Will my new license have a different number?

No. Your replacement license will have the same number as your original. The expiration date stays the same too. You're getting a duplicate of your existing license, not a new one.

How much does it cost to replace a lost license in Washington?

The fee is $20 for a standard driver's license. There's no extra charge for a lost or stolen license — you pay the same duplicate fee whether you lost it, it was stolen, or it was damaged.

Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?

If you ordered by mail or online, the license is mailed to your address on file, so you don't need anyone to pick it up. If you went in person and received a temporary paper license, only you can pick up the permanent card when it arrives — the DOL requires the cardholder to collect it in person.