Getting a duplicate Illinois driver's license
A duplicate driver's license in Illinois is an exact copy of your current license — same number, same expiration date, same restrictions. You order it when you want a second physical card but don't need to renew or update your information. The Secretary of State's office issues duplicates by mail, and the process takes about two weeks from the time they receive your request.
You can request a duplicate online through the Illinois Secretary of State website, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services facility. The online method is fastest and requires no documents — just your driver's license number, date of birth, and a payment method. If you go in person, bring your current license and a payment method. The fee is the same regardless of how you order: $5 for a duplicate license.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois duplicates are ordered through the Secretary of State, not through your local DMV, and arrive by mail in about two weeks.
- You can order online without visiting an office, and you need only your license number and date of birth.
- The duplicate will have the same number and expiration date as your current license, so it does not reset your renewal cycle.
- The $5 fee is non-refundable, and you cannot cancel an order once it has been submitted.
Ordering online through the Secretary of State website
The fastest route is the online duplicate request form at cyberdriveillinois.com. Go to the Driver Services section, select "Order a Duplicate License," and enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The form will confirm your identity against the state's records. If the information matches, you will see a summary of your request and the $5 fee.
Pay by debit card or credit card. After payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot — you can use it to track your order status on the same website. The Secretary of State will mail your duplicate to the address on file with your current license. If that address has changed, update it before you order, or your duplicate will go to the old address.
Do not order a duplicate if you have an active name change, address change, or license suspension pending. The online system will reject your request if any of those are in progress. If you see an error message, call the Driver Services customer line at 217-782-6900 to confirm your record status before trying again.
Ordering in person at a Driver Services facility
You can walk into any Illinois Driver Services facility and request a duplicate on the spot. Bring your current driver's license and a payment method (debit card, credit card, or cash). Tell the clerk you want to order a duplicate, not renew or replace. The clerk will process the request, take your $5 payment, and give you a receipt with a confirmation number.
In-person orders are mailed the same way as online orders — to the address on your current license — and take the same two weeks to arrive. The advantage of going in person is that you can ask the clerk to verify your address on the spot and correct it if needed before the duplicate is printed. If your address has changed and you do not update it before ordering, you will have to go back to a facility and request a second duplicate to the new address.
Ordering by mail
You can mail a duplicate request form to the Secretary of State's office, though this is the slowest method. read the "Duplicate License Request" form from cyberdriveillinois.com, fill in your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number, and mail it with a check or money order for $5 to the address listed on the form.
Mail requests take longer because they have to be received, processed, and then mailed back to you. Budget three to four weeks total. Include a return address on your envelope. If your check is lost in the mail, the Secretary of State will not process the request, so consider certified mail if you are mailing payment.
What to expect after you order
After your order is submitted, the Secretary of State prints your duplicate and mails it to the address on file. You should receive it within two weeks, though mail delivery times vary. You can check the status of your order on the Secretary of State website using your confirmation number — the status will show "Ordered," "Printed," or "Mailed."
Your duplicate will arrive in a plain envelope with no return address. It will be an exact copy of your current license: same number, same photo, same expiration date. You can use it when ready as a valid form of identification. Your original license remains valid and active — having a duplicate does not cancel it or change its status.
If your duplicate does not arrive
If two weeks have passed and you have not received your duplicate, check the status online using your confirmation number. If the status shows "Mailed" but you still have not received it after three weeks, contact Driver Services at 217-782-6900. Have your confirmation number ready. They can investigate whether the mail was lost and may reissue your duplicate at no additional charge.
Do not order a second duplicate while waiting for the first one — wait until the status shows "Mailed" and three weeks have passed. Ordering twice will result in two charges and two duplicates arriving separately, and you cannot get a refund for the duplicate you did not want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a duplicate if my license is suspended or revoked?
No. The online system will reject your request if your license has an active suspension or revocation. You must resolve the suspension first by paying any fines, completing required courses, or meeting other conditions set by the Secretary of State. Call 217-782-6900 to find out what is required to clear the suspension.
What if my address has changed since I got my current license?
Update your address before ordering a duplicate. If you order without updating, your duplicate will be mailed to the old address. You can update your address online at cyberdriveillinois.com, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services facility. Once your address is updated in the system, order your duplicate.
Will ordering a duplicate change my license expiration date?
No. A duplicate has the same expiration date as your current license. Ordering a duplicate does not renew your license or extend the expiration date. If your license is expiring soon, you will need to renew separately — a duplicate is not a renewal.
Can I use my duplicate while waiting for it to arrive?
Your current license remains valid and active while your duplicate is being made and mailed. You do not need to wait for the duplicate to arrive to have a valid license. Use your current license for identification until the duplicate arrives.
What if I ordered a duplicate but then lost my original license?
Contact the Secretary of State when ready at 217-782-6900. If your duplicate has already been mailed, it will arrive as planned and you can use it as your license. If it has not been mailed yet, the office can flag your order so that when it arrives, you know it is your only valid copy. Do not order a replacement license while a duplicate is in process — wait for the duplicate to arrive first.