What you need to do to replace a Colorado driver's license
To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Colorado driver's license, you must visit a Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in person with proof of identity and residency. You'll pay a replacement fee (currently $20 for a standard license), fill out an process form, and have your photo taken. The new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If your license was stolen, you should also report it to local police and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.
Colorado does not offer online replacement for driver's licenses. You cannot mail in an process or use a third-party service. Every replacement must happen at a DMV office, though you can check wait times and make an appointment online before you go.
Key Takeaways
- You must go to a Colorado DMV office in person with a valid ID and proof you live in Colorado to replace your license.
- The replacement fee is $20, and your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- If your license was stolen, file a police report and consider a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
- You can check DMV office wait times and book an appointment online at colorado.gov/revenue/dmv before you visit.
- Bring the original documents proving your identity and Colorado residency — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement works for residency.
Documents you need to bring to the DMV
Colorado requires one document that proves your identity and one that proves you live in the state. For identity, bring your passport, military ID, birth certificate, or a state ID from another state. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Your name on the residency document must match the name on your identity document.
If you don't have a passport or military ID, a birth certificate counts as primary identity. If you've recently moved and your utility bill or lease is in an old address, bring a second document — a bank statement, insurance policy, or voter registration card — to show your current address. The DMV staff will tell you on the spot if your documents work.
Steps to replace your license at the DMV office
First, visit colorado.gov/revenue/dmv and find the office nearest you. You can check real-time wait times and book a time slot online, which saves you from sitting in the office. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments move faster.
When you arrive, bring your identity and residency documents and $20 in cash or card. Tell the staff member you need a replacement license. They will hand you form DL 44 (process for a Driver's License or Identification Card). Fill it out with your current information. If your address has changed, update it now. If your name has changed since your original license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
After you submit the form and documents, you'll have your photo taken. The staff will confirm your mailing address — your new license will go there. You'll receive a receipt with a confirmation number. Keep it in case you need to check the status of your replacement.
What to do if your license was stolen
File a police report with the local police department in the city or county where the theft happened. You don't need the report to replace your license at the DMV, but you should have one on record in case someone tries to use your stolen license to commit fraud. Give the police your license number if you remember it.
Contact the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and place a fraud alert on your credit file. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can place a fraud alert by phone or online for free. Equifax: 1-800-685-1111. Experian: 1-888-397-3742. TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289. The alert lasts one year and can be renewed.
If you're concerned about identity theft, you may also want to check your credit report for unauthorized accounts. You can get a free copy of your credit report once per year from annualcreditreport.com, the official site run by the three bureaus.
How long the replacement takes and when you can drive
Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days from the date you explore. During that time, you can drive using the receipt the DMV gave you. That receipt is a temporary license and is valid for 30 days. If your new license doesn't arrive within 10 business days, call the DMV at 1-303-205-5600 to check the status.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives and you've lost your receipt, you cannot legally drive. You would need to go back to the DMV and request a duplicate receipt or a temporary paper license. Some offices issue a temporary paper license on the spot for a small fee, but policies vary by location.
Replacing a damaged or unreadable license
If your license is damaged but still readable, you can replace it the same way as a lost or stolen license — visit a DMV office with your identity and residency documents and pay $20. If your license is so damaged that the photo or information is no longer clear, the DMV will issue a replacement without requiring you to retake your photo, though they may ask you to confirm your information.
Bring the damaged license itself to the DMV office. The staff will examine it and decide whether it can be scanned into the system or if a full replacement is needed. Either way, the process is the same: fill out the form, pay the fee, and wait for your new license by mail.
Real ID and your replacement license
When you replace your Colorado driver's license, you can choose to get a standard license or a Real ID-compliant license. A Real ID license has a gold star in the top right corner and meets federal security standards. You'll need a Real ID license to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025.
Getting a Real ID during replacement costs the same ($20) but requires one additional document: proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form) or a document showing your number. If you don't have that document with you, you can replace your license as a standard license now and upgrade to Real ID later at any DMV office. Many people do this to avoid a second trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my Colorado license if I don't have a passport or birth certificate?
Yes. Colorado accepts a military ID, state ID from another state, or tribal ID as proof of identity. If you have none of those, you can bring a combination of documents like a Social Security card plus a school ID or work ID. Call your local DMV office at 1-303-205-5600 to ask what combination they'll accept before you visit.
What if I moved out of state but still have a Colorado address on file?
You cannot replace a Colorado license if you no longer live in Colorado. If you've moved, you must get a license in your new state. If you're still a Colorado resident but moved within the state, bring a new residency document showing your current address and update your address at the DMV during replacement.
Do I have to replace my license in person, or can someone else do it for me?
You must be present in person. Colorado does not allow a family member or representative to replace your license for you. You must show up at the DMV office yourself with your documents and have your photo taken.
What if my new license arrives damaged or with the wrong information?
Contact the DMV at 1-303-205-5600 with your confirmation number. They will issue a replacement at no extra charge. Mail the damaged license back to the address they provide. The replacement will arrive in 7 to 10 business days.
Can I get a temporary license while I wait for my replacement to arrive?
The receipt you receive at the DMV office is your temporary license and is valid for 30 days. If you lose the receipt, some DMV offices will issue a paper temporary license for a fee, but this varies by location. Call ahead to ask if your local office offers this.