Get a replacement license at a Secretary of State facility or online
If you have lost your Illinois driver's license, you can replace it in person at any Secretary of State Driver Services facility or through the mail. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and you leave with a temporary license the same day. The mail route takes two to three weeks but requires no trip to an office.
You will need to bring a valid form of identification (passport, state ID, birth certificate, or Social Security card work) and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days). If you are replacing a license you lost rather than one that expired, you do not need to retake the written or vision test — the Secretary of State has your records on file.
The replacement fee is $20 for a standard license or $30 for a Real ID-compliant license. Real ID is required for domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025, so if your current license is not Real ID-compliant, this is the time to upgrade. The fee is the same whether you explore in person or by mail.
Key Takeaways
- You can replace a lost Illinois license in person at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility (30 minutes, temporary license same day) or by mail (two to three weeks).
- Bring one valid ID and one proof of current address; you will not need to retake any tests.
- The replacement fee is $20 for a standard license or $30 for a Real ID license, which becomes required for domestic air travel in May 2025.
- If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, request a temporary license in person or ask the Secretary of State about a temporary permit by mail.
explore in person at a Driver Services facility
Walk into any Secretary of State Driver Services facility during business hours with your ID, proof of address, and the $20 or $30 fee. You do not need an appointment. Tell the staff member at the counter that you lost your license and need a replacement.
The staff will verify your identity, confirm your address, and take a new photo. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed to you. The permanent license usually arrives within two weeks. Bring the temporary license with you when you drive — it is valid proof of licensure.
Facility hours vary by location, but most are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have Saturday hours. Check the Secretary of State website for the facility nearest you and its specific hours before you go.
explore by mail
read the process for Duplicate Driver's License or State ID (form DL 953) from the Secretary of State website. Fill it out completely, including your name, date of birth, and driver's license number if you remember it. If you do not remember your license number, leave it blank — the Secretary of State can look it up.
Mail the completed form along with a copy of your ID and a copy of your proof of address to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for $20 or $30 made out to the Secretary of State. Do not send cash. Mail everything to the address on the form, not to a general state office.
Your replacement license will be mailed to the address on file with the Secretary of State. If you have moved since your last license was issued, update your address first by calling the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 or visiting a Driver Services facility in person. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your mail.
What to do if you need to drive before your replacement arrives
If you applied in person, you received a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Use this to drive legally while you wait for your permanent license. Keep it with you at all times when driving.
If you applied by mail and need to drive before your replacement arrives, you have two options. You can visit a Driver Services facility in person to request a temporary license on the spot. Or you can call the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 and ask whether a temporary permit can be issued by mail for your specific situation — this is not may provide and depends on the circumstances of your loss.
If you were in an accident or your license was stolen as part of a crime, document this with a police report. Some facilities will issue a temporary license more quickly if you can show proof of the incident.
Replacing a license lost out of state
If you lost your Illinois license while traveling or living outside Illinois, you can still replace it by mail using the process described above. You do not need to return to Illinois in person.
Mail your completed form DL 953, copies of your ID and proof of address, and your fee to the address on the form. Your replacement license will be mailed to the address currently on file with the Secretary of State. If that address is out of state, update it first by calling 217-782-6900 or visiting the Secretary of State website.
Real ID compliance and your replacement license
When you replace your lost license, you can choose a standard Illinois driver's license ($20) or a Real ID-compliant license ($30). Real ID is a federal security standard required for domestic air travel, entry to federal buildings, and entry to military bases starting May 7, 2025.
If your lost license was already Real ID-compliant, your replacement will be too unless you specifically request otherwise. If your lost license was not Real ID-compliant and you want to upgrade now, tell the staff member at the Driver Services facility or note it on form DL 953 if explore by mail. You will need to provide additional documentation — typically a birth certificate or passport — to prove citizenship for Real ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to report my lost license to the police?
No, reporting to police is not required to replace your license. However, if you believe your license was stolen as part of a crime or used fraudulently, file a police report and bring it with you to a Driver Services facility — it may speed up the temporary license process and creates a record in case of identity theft.
What if I lost my license and my wallet was stolen?
You will still need one valid form of ID to replace your license. If your wallet contained your only ID, use your birth certificate, passport, or Social Security card instead. If you have lost multiple forms of ID, contact the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 to discuss your options.
Can I replace my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?
Yes. Unpaid tickets do not prevent you from replacing a lost license. However, if your license was suspended for unpaid fines, you cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted, even with a replacement license. Contact the Secretary of State or the court that issued the ticket to resolve the suspension first.
How long is a temporary license valid?
A temporary paper license issued in person is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license should arrive within two weeks, but if it does not, the temporary remains valid until day 30. If your permanent license has not arrived by then, return to a Driver Services facility with your temporary license and request an extension.
What if my replacement license arrives with the wrong information on it?
Contact the Secretary of State when ready at 217-782-6900 or visit a Driver Services facility with your new license and proof of the correct information (birth certificate for date of birth, utility bill for address, etc.). Corrections are made at no charge and usually processed within a few days.