What you need to do to replace a lost Georgia driver's license
To replace a lost Georgia driver's license, you must visit a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office in person with proof of identity and residency. Georgia does not allow online or mail-in replacement for lost licenses. You will pay a replacement fee (currently $32 for a standard license), receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and your new plastic card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
You cannot use a lost license as proof of identity to get a replacement license — you will need a different form of ID. The most common path is to bring a passport, birth certificate, or state ID card along with a recent utility bill or lease agreement to show your current address.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DDS office in person; there is no online or mail option for lost license replacement in Georgia.
- Bring a valid form of ID (passport, birth certificate, or state ID) plus proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement).
- The replacement fee is $32 for a standard driver's license, and you will receive a temporary paper license when ready.
- Your new plastic license card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days; keep the temporary license until it arrives.
- If your license was stolen, you may also want to file a police report, though it is not required by DDS.
Documents you must bring to the DDS office
Georgia requires two categories of documents: proof of identity and proof of current address. You cannot use an expired license or a lost license as your proof of identity.
Acceptable proof of identity includes a valid U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, state ID card, military ID, or passport card. If you are a non-citizen, a valid visa or employment authorization document (EAD) will work. The document must show your full legal name and date of birth.
Acceptable proof of address includes a current utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government-issued mail with your name and address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill typically does not count. If you have recently moved and do not yet have a utility bill in your name, a signed lease or a letter from your landlord on official letterhead can work.
Bring the originals or certified copies — photocopies alone are not accepted. If your name has changed since your identity document was issued (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Steps to replace your license at a DDS office
Visit the Georgia DDS website to find the office nearest you and check its hours. Some offices operate by appointment only; others accept walk-ins. Appointment availability varies by location, and some offices have long wait times during peak hours (typically mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays).
Arrive with your documents, your Social Security number (memorized or written down), and $32 in cash or card. The DDS office will take a new photo, verify your information, and print a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive while you wait for your permanent card.
Ask the staff member for the tracking number or receipt so you can check the status of your replacement card online if needed. Keep the temporary license in your vehicle until the plastic card arrives. Once the new card arrives by mail, the temporary license expires and should be discarded.
Timeline and what to expect while you wait
From the moment you leave the DDS office, your new license card is typically mailed within 1 to 3 business days. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days after that, so plan for up to two weeks total. During holidays or high-volume periods, delivery may take slightly longer.
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days. If your permanent card has not arrived by day 30, contact the DDS office where you applied. They can check the status or issue an extension to your temporary license if there has been a delay.
If you move before your new card arrives, do not forward it through the postal service. Instead, contact the DDS office and provide your new address so they can update their records and remail the card to the correct location.
Finding a Georgia DDS office near you
Georgia has DDS locations in most counties. The official DDS website includes a searchable office locator with addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operation. Some larger cities have multiple offices; smaller counties may have one office that serves the entire area.
Call ahead before you go. Many offices can tell you current wait times and whether they are accepting walk-ins that day. Some locations require an appointment, which you can book online or by phone. If your local office has a long wait, you may be able to visit a different county's office instead — you do not have to use the office in your home county.
If your license was stolen
Replacement steps are the same whether your license was lost or stolen. However, if you believe your license was stolen, consider filing a police report. This creates an official record and may help if someone uses your license number fraudulently. You do not need the police report to get a replacement from DDS, but it is useful documentation if identity theft occurs later.
If you are concerned about fraud, you can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) or freeze your credit. These steps are separate from replacing your license but provide additional protection.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not bring only a photocopy of your identity document — originals or certified copies are required. Do not assume your expired license can serve as proof of identity for the replacement; it cannot. Do not forget your proof of address; without it, you will not be able to complete the replacement that day.
Do not discard your temporary paper license before your plastic card arrives. Law enforcement will accept the temporary license as valid proof, but only while it is within its 30-day validity period. Do not assume you can renew your license online or by mail in Georgia — you cannot. All replacements require an in-person visit.
Do not wait until your temporary license is about to expire to contact DDS if your permanent card has not arrived. Call the office as soon as you reach day 25 or 26 so they have time to investigate or extend your temporary license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my lost Georgia license at a different county's DDS office?
Yes. You do not have to visit the office in your home county. If another county's office is closer or has shorter wait times, you can go there instead. Bring the same documents and pay the same $32 fee.
What if I don't have a utility bill or lease to prove my address?
A bank statement, mortgage statement, or government-issued mail dated within the last 60 days will work. If you have none of these, a signed letter from your landlord on official letterhead or a notarized statement of residency from someone who lives with you may be accepted. Call your local DDS office first to confirm what they will accept.
Do I need a police report to replace a stolen license?
No. DDS does not require a police report to issue a replacement. However, filing a report creates a record if someone uses your license fraudulently. It is optional but recommended if you believe the license was stolen rather than lost.
What if my name has changed since my birth certificate was issued?
Bring both your birth certificate and the document that proves the name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for legal name change. The DDS office will verify both documents before issuing your replacement license.
Can someone else pick up my replacement license from the DDS office?
No. Your replacement license will be mailed to your address on file. You cannot pick it up at the office, and another person cannot collect it on your behalf. The card is mailed directly to you.