Get a replacement license from the Oregon DMV in person or by mail
If you have lost your Oregon driver's license, you can replace it through the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You have two options: visit a DMV 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 the mail option works if you cannot get to an office.
Both routes require the same documents and cost the same fee. Oregon charges $50 for a standard replacement license (as of 2024, though this may change). The main difference is timing: in-person replacements take about 10 minutes at the counter, while mail requests take two to three weeks for the new card to arrive.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit an Oregon DMV office in person or mail a completed form, a proof of identity document, and a $50 check or money order to get a replacement license.
- In-person replacements give you a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for driving while you wait for the permanent card.
- Mail-in replacements take two to three weeks but do not require a trip to the DMV office.
- You will need one document that proves your identity, such as a passport, birth certificate, or Social Security card, even though you already have a license on file.
What documents you need to bring or mail
Oregon requires one form of identification to prove who you are, even though your lost license is already in their system. Acceptable documents include a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a Social Security card, a tribal ID card, or a military ID. If you do not have any of these, you can use a combination of two documents from a secondary list — for example, a utility bill and a bank statement, both showing your current name and address.
You will also need to complete form DMV 735-14 (process for Replacement License). This form is available on the Oregon DMV website or at any DMV office. If you are mailing your request, you must include a check or money order for $50 made out to "Oregon DMV" — the DMV does not accept credit cards by mail.
Replacing your license in person at a DMV office
Find the DMV office nearest you on the Oregon DMV website. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening hours. You do not need an appointment — walk-in service is available, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Bring your proof of identity document and your completed form DMV 735-14. The DMV staff will take a new photo, verify your information against their records, and collect the $50 fee. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while the permanent card is printed and mailed to your address on file. The permanent license typically arrives within two weeks.
If your address has changed since your lost license was issued, bring a document proving your current address — a utility bill, lease, or recent bank statement. The DMV will update your address at the same time.
Replacing your license by mail
Complete form DMV 735-14 and gather your proof of identity document. Make a photocopy of both the form and your identity document — keep the copies for your records. Mail the originals along with a check or money order for $50 to the address listed on the form (usually the Oregon DMV office in Salem).
Include a note with your current mailing address if it differs from the address on your lost license. Send everything in a regular envelope — no special shipping is required. The DMV will process your request and mail your new license to the address you provide. This process takes two to three weeks from the date they receive your packet.
If you need your replacement faster than mail allows, the in-person option at a DMV office is your only choice. There is no expedited mail service for replacement licenses.
What to do if your license was stolen
If your license was lost in a theft or robbery, you may want to report it to the police for your records, though this is not required to replace the license itself. A police report can be useful if someone uses your lost license fraudulently — it creates a documented timeline of when you reported it missing.
You do not need the police report to get a replacement from the DMV. straightforward follow the standard replacement process above. However, if you are concerned about identity theft, consider placing a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) or freezing your credit. These steps are separate from replacing your license but can protect you if your personal information is misused.
Driving legally while you wait for your replacement
If you replaced your license in person, your temporary paper license is valid for driving when ready. Carry it with you whenever you drive — it is your proof of a valid license until the permanent card arrives. Police will accept the temporary license during traffic stops.
If you are replacing by mail and do not yet have your new license, you are not legally permitted to drive. There is no temporary license issued through the mail process. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you must visit a DMV office in person to get the temporary paper license, even if you have already mailed in your replacement request.
If your replacement license does not arrive
New licenses typically arrive within two weeks of an in-person visit or three weeks of a mailed request. If more than three weeks have passed and you have not received your license, contact the Oregon DMV directly. Have your driver's license number ready if you can find it, or be prepared to provide your full name and date of birth.
The DMV can check the status of your replacement and reissue it if there was a mailing error. If your address changed after you submitted your replacement request, the license may have been mailed to an old address — let the DMV know so they can send a new one to the correct location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a photocopy of my lost license while I wait for the replacement?
No. A photocopy is not a valid license. Only the temporary paper license issued in person at a DMV office is valid for driving. If you replaced by mail, you cannot drive legally until the permanent license arrives.
Do I need to report my lost license to the police?
Reporting is not required to replace your license through the DMV. However, if your license was stolen or you are concerned about identity theft, a police report creates a record that may help if someone misuses your information later.
What if I lost my license out of state?
You must replace it through Oregon because Oregon issued it. You can mail your replacement request from anywhere, or visit an Oregon DMV office if you are back in the state. The process and fee are the same.
Can I get a replacement the same day by mail?
No. Mail replacements take two to three weeks. Only in-person visits to a DMV office result in a same-day temporary license. If you need to drive before then, you must visit an office in person.
What if my name has changed since I got my lost license?
Bring legal documentation of your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will update your name and issue a replacement license with the new name. This counts as a replacement, not a name change, so you pay the $50 replacement fee, not a separate name-change fee.