What you need to do to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Washington license
You can replace your Washington driver's license in person at any Department of Licensing (DOL) office, or by mail if your license is only damaged (not lost or stolen). The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and costs $20. The mail route takes two to three weeks and also costs $20, but you do not have to leave home.
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 local police first — you do not need the police report to replace it, but having one on file protects you if someone tries to use your stolen number.
Your replacement license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you explore in person, or within two to three weeks if you mail in your process. You can check the status of your replacement online using your driver's license number or ID number.
Key Takeaways
- In-person replacement at a DOL office takes 30 minutes and costs $20; mail replacement takes two to three weeks and also costs $20.
- You must bring proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or tribal ID), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and know your Social Security number.
- If your license was stolen, report it to local police so the theft is on record, even though you do not need the report to replace it.
- Your replacement license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after an in-person process, or two to three weeks after a mail process.
- You can track your replacement license status online at the Washington DOL website using your driver's license or ID number.
In-person replacement at a Department of Licensing office
Walk into any DOL office with your documents and complete the replacement process on the spot. Bring your proof of identity, proof of residency, and be ready to provide your Social Security number. The staff will take your photo and process your process while you wait.
You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent replacement license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before your permanent license arrives, the temporary license is valid for all driving purposes.
DOL offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some locations open on Saturday mornings. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Washington DOL website. No appointment is required, but wait times vary — arriving early in the morning or mid-week usually means a shorter wait.
Mail-in replacement if your license is damaged
You can only use the mail route if your license is damaged but not lost or stolen. read the process for Replacement Driver License or ID Card (form DL 44) from the Washington DOL website, or pick one up at any DOL office.
Fill out the form, enclose a check or money order for $20 payable to the Department of Licensing, and mail both to the address listed on the form. Include a photocopy of your proof of identity and proof of residency — do not send originals.
Your replacement license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If you do not receive it within that time, contact the DOL to check the status using your driver's license number.
What counts as proof of identity and proof of residency
Proof of identity means one of the following: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a tribal ID card, a military ID, or a previous Washington driver's license or ID card. The document must show your name and date of birth.
Proof of residency means a document showing your current Washington address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency with your name and address also works. The address on your proof of residency must match the address you provide on your process.
If you have recently moved and your proof of residency does not yet show your new address, bring two documents: one showing your old address and one showing your new address. A lease agreement or utility bill in your name at the new address is the fastest way to prove you live there now.
If your license was stolen
Report the theft to your local police department. You do not need the police report to replace your license, but filing a report creates an official record that protects you if someone tries to use your stolen license number for fraud or other crimes.
When you replace your license in person or by mail, mention that it was stolen. The DOL will flag your old license number as invalid so it cannot be used. You will receive a new license number on your replacement license.
If you are concerned about identity theft beyond the stolen license, you can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by contacting any one of them. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
Checking the status of your replacement license
You can check the status of your replacement license online at the Washington DOL website. You will need your driver's license number or ID number. The status page tells you whether your process is being processed, whether your license has been mailed, or whether there is a problem with your process.
If your replacement license does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the DOL by phone or visit a DOL office in person. Have your driver's license number ready when you call. The DOL can tell you whether your license is still in production, whether it was mailed, or whether your address on file needs to be corrected.
Cost and timeline summary
| Route | Cost | Processing Time | How to Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person at DOL office | $20 | 7–10 business days for permanent license | Visit any DOL office with proof of identity, proof of residency, and Social Security number |
| By mail (damaged license only) | $20 | 2–3 weeks | Mail completed form DL 44, check or money order, and photocopies of proof documents to DOL |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while I wait for my replacement license?
Yes. If you replaced your license in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. If you are replacing by mail, your old license remains valid until it expires, so you can continue to drive. Once your permanent replacement arrives, the temporary license is no longer needed.
What if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?
A tribal ID card or military ID works as proof of identity if it shows your name and date of birth. If you do not have any of these, contact the DOL to ask about other documents that may be accepted in your situation. Some people can use a previous Washington ID card or driver's license instead.
Do I need a police report to replace a stolen license?
No. You can replace a stolen license without a police report. However, filing a report with local police protects you by creating an official record of the theft. This is especially important if you are worried about identity theft or fraud.
How long does a replacement license stay valid?
Your replacement license is valid for the same length of time as your original license. If your original license was set to expire in 2028, your replacement will also expire in 2028. The expiration date does not reset when you replace a lost, stolen, or damaged license.
What if my address has changed since my last license?
You can update your address when you replace your license. Bring proof of your new residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days showing your new address). Your replacement license will show your current address.