Arizona replaces lost or damaged licenses through the Department of Transportation, either in person at an office or by mail

To replace a lost or damaged Arizona driver's license, you have two main paths: visit an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) office in person, or request a replacement by mail. The in-person route is faster — you can walk out with a temporary license the same day — but requires a trip to a local office. The mail route takes longer but works if you cannot visit an office. Both require proof of identity and Arizona residency, and both cost the same fee.

Arizona does not issue replacements through the mail for lost licenses, only for damage or name changes. If your license is lost, you must go to an ADOT office. If it is damaged but still readable, you can mail it in. Either way, you will need to bring or send specific documents, and the process takes different amounts of time depending on which method you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • A lost Arizona license requires an in-person visit to an ADOT office; damaged licenses can be replaced by mail if the card is still readable.
  • You will need a valid form of ID (passport, birth certificate, or other state ID) and proof of Arizona residency such as a utility bill or lease.
  • In-person replacement costs $25 for a standard five-year license and takes about 15 minutes; you receive a temporary paper license on the spot.
  • Mail replacement takes two to four weeks and requires you to send your damaged license, completed form, payment, and copies of your documents to the ADOT office.
  • Your new license will have the same number as your old one unless you request a new number, which costs extra and requires an in-person visit.

In-person replacement at an ADOT office

Walking into an ADOT office is the fastest way to replace a lost license. You bring your documents, fill out a form, pay the fee, and leave with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent card arrives by mail in about two weeks. No appointment is needed at most offices, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Bring a valid form of ID — a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, tribal ID, military ID, or another state's driver's license all work. You also need proof that you live in Arizona: a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address. Bring the originals, not copies. If your name has changed since your ID was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.

The fee is $25 for a standard five-year license. You can pay by cash, check, or debit card at most offices. If you want a new license number instead of keeping your old one — sometimes people do this after identity theft — that costs an additional $10 and requires an in-person visit; you cannot request a new number by mail.

Find your nearest ADOT office on the Arizona Department of Transportation website. Office hours vary, but most are open Monday through Friday during business hours. Some locations have extended hours or Saturday appointments. Call ahead if you are unsure whether your office requires a walk-in or has a wait, though most do not.

Mailing in a damaged license

If your license is damaged but still readable — the photo is visible, the name is legible, the card has not split apart — you can mail it to ADOT instead of visiting an office. This takes longer but saves a trip. The process takes two to four weeks from the time ADOT receives your envelope.

Complete form DL 43, the process for Duplicate Driver License or Identification Card. You can read it from the Arizona Department of Transportation website or request it by phone. Include your damaged license, a copy of your ID (passport, birth certificate, or other valid form), a copy of your proof of residency, and a check or money order for $25 made out to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Mail the envelope to the address listed on form DL 43 — it is typically the ADOT office in Phoenix, but confirm the current mailing address on the form itself, as it can change. Use certified mail or a tracked service so you know when it arrives. Do not send cash. Your new license will arrive by regular mail at the address on your process, usually within two to four weeks of ADOT receiving your package.

What happens if your license is too damaged to mail

If your license is cracked, split, faded, or so worn that your photo or name is no longer readable, ADOT may not accept it by mail. In that case, you must visit an office in person. Bring the damaged card anyway — the staff can see the condition and process you on the spot.

If you are unsure whether your card is damaged enough to require an in-person visit, call the ADOT office nearest you. They can tell you over the phone whether mailing it in will work or whether you need to come in. This saves you the trouble of mailing it and having it rejected.

Temporary license and timeline

When you replace your license in person, you receive a temporary paper license before you leave the office. This temporary is valid for 30 days and works for driving, voting, and other ID purposes. Your permanent plastic card arrives by mail in about two weeks, though it can take up to three weeks depending on mail delays.

If you replace by mail, you do not receive a temporary. You will be without a valid Arizona license until your new card arrives, which takes two to four weeks. Plan ahead if you know you will need to drive during that time — an in-person visit is your only option for getting a temporary.

License number and other details on your replacement

Your replacement license will have the same number as your lost or damaged license. Arizona keeps your number on file, and the new card straightforward reissues it. This is automatic and requires no action from you.

If you want a completely new number — for example, after identity theft — you must request it in person at an ADOT office. The new number costs an additional $10 on top of the $25 replacement fee. You cannot request a new number by mail. When you ask for a new number, you will receive a temporary paper license with the new number on the spot, and your permanent card will arrive by mail with that new number.

Common issues and what to do

If you mail in your damaged license and do not hear back within four weeks, call the ADOT office to confirm they received it. If you used certified mail, you have a tracking number that shows delivery. Have that number ready when you call. If ADOT received it but rejected it because the damage was too severe, they will contact you by mail and tell you to visit an office instead.

If you visit an office and the staff tells you your ID or residency documents are not acceptable, ask what documents they do accept. Different offices sometimes interpret the rules slightly differently, and the staff can tell you what will work. If you are missing a document, ask whether you can come back with it or whether you need to try a different office.

If your temporary paper license is lost or damaged before your permanent card arrives, return to the ADOT office and request another temporary. There is usually no additional fee for a replacement temporary, but confirm this when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?

Yes. Arizona accepts other forms of ID: a tribal ID, military ID, another state's driver's license, a permanent resident card, or a naturalization certificate. You need one valid form of ID and one proof of residency. If you do not have any of these, contact your nearest ADOT office to ask what documents they can work with.

What counts as proof of Arizona residency?

A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail addressed to you at your current Arizona address all work. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. A utility bill is the easiest option because it is recent and clearly shows your address.

Do I need to take a new photo for my replacement license?

No. Your replacement license uses the photo from your original license. If you want a new photo — because you have changed your appearance or just prefer a new one — you must visit an ADOT office and request a new photo. This costs the same $25 fee and takes the same amount of time.

What if I lost my license and do not remember my license number?

You do not need your license number to replace it. Bring your ID and proof of residency to an ADOT office, and the staff will look up your information in the system. They will issue a replacement with your original number. If you are mailing in a damaged license, your number is on the card itself, so include that in your envelope.

Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?

No. You must pick up your temporary license in person at the ADOT office. Your permanent card is mailed to the address on your process, so anyone at that address can receive it, but the temporary must be collected by you with your ID.