Get a replacement Georgia driver's license by visiting a DDS office in person with proof of identity and residency
You cannot replace a lost Georgia driver's license by mail or online. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) requires you to appear in person at a DDS office with specific documents. You will need to bring a valid form of identification (such as a passport or state ID) and proof that you live in Georgia (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days). The replacement license costs $32 and takes about 10 minutes to process once you are at the counter.
Your replacement license will have the same number as your original license. If you also need to report the lost license to prevent fraud, you can do that during your visit, though it is not required to get the replacement itself.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DDS office in person with a valid ID and proof of Georgia residency to replace a lost license.
- The replacement fee is $32, and you will receive your new license when ready or within a few days depending on the office's processing speed.
- Your replacement license keeps the same number as your original license.
- You can find DDS office locations and hours on the Georgia DDS website, and many offices allow you to check wait times online before you go.
- If you need the license urgently, some DDS offices have shorter wait times during off-peak hours, typically mid-morning on weekdays.
What documents to bring to the DDS office
Bring one valid form of primary identification and one form of proof of residency. Primary ID options include a U.S. passport, military ID, passport card, or another state's driver's license. Do not bring an expired Georgia license as your primary ID — it counts as secondary identification only.
For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days with your current Georgia address. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, and insurance documents all work. If you do not have a document in your name, you can bring a document in a spouse's or parent's name along with a marriage certificate or birth certificate showing the relationship.
Bring your Social Security number or a document showing it (such as a Social Security card or tax return). You will also need to bring the $32 fee, which the office accepts in cash, debit, or credit card.
Finding a DDS office and checking wait times
Visit the Georgia DDS website and use the office locator tool to find the nearest location. Enter your city or zip code to see all offices within your area, along with their hours and phone numbers. Most counties have at least one office, and larger cities have multiple locations.
Many DDS offices display current wait times on their websites or allow you to call ahead. Wait times vary widely — some offices have 15-minute waits while others have waits of an hour or more, especially on Fridays and early afternoons. If you have flexibility, visiting on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 10 a.m. and noon often means shorter waits.
Some DDS offices use an online appointment system. Check your local office's page to see if you can reserve a time slot in advance. This does not eliminate the wait entirely, but it can reduce the time you spend in the office.
What happens during your visit
When you arrive, you will check in at the front desk and receive a number. You will wait until your number is called, then go to a counter where a DDS employee will verify your documents, take your photograph, and collect your fee. The entire process at the counter takes about 10 minutes.
Some offices print your new license on the spot and hand it to you before you leave. Other offices mail it to you within 7 to 10 business days. Ask the employee which applies at your location before you leave the office. If your license is mailed, you will receive it at the address you provided as your Georgia residency address.
If the DDS employee finds an issue with your documents (such as a residency document that is too old or a primary ID that is expired), they will tell you what you need to fix and whether you can resolve it that day or need to return with different documents.
If you cannot visit a DDS office in person
Georgia does not offer remote replacement for a lost license. You must appear at a DDS office yourself. If you are temporarily out of state or unable to travel, you will need to wait until you can visit an office in person.
If you are disabled or have a medical condition that makes it difficult to visit an office, contact your local DDS office directly to ask about accommodations. Some offices can arrange for you to be seen first or at a quieter time, though you still must appear in person.
Replacing your license if you also need a name change
If you lost your license and also need to change your name (due to marriage, divorce, or court order), bring the legal document that shows the name change along with your other documents. This could be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You can complete both the replacement and the name change in one visit, and the fee remains $32.
If you need a name change but do not need a replacement, you can also handle that at a DDS office with just the legal document and your current license.
Reporting your lost license to prevent fraud
You do not have to report your lost license to get a replacement, but you may want to. When you report it, the old license number is flagged in the DDS system so that if someone tries to use it, the system will show it as invalid. This does not prevent fraud entirely, but it creates a record that the license was lost.
You can report your lost license when you visit the DDS office for your replacement. straightforward tell the employee at the counter that you want to report the original as lost. You can also call your local DDS office to report it by phone, though you will still need to visit in person to get the replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a temporary license while I wait for my replacement?
No. Georgia does not issue temporary licenses for lost or stolen driver's licenses. If your office prints your license on the spot, you will have it when ready. If your office mails it, you will not have a valid Georgia license until it arrives, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days.
What if I lost my license out of state?
You still must visit a Georgia DDS office to replace it. You cannot replace a Georgia license at a DDS office in another state. If you are out of state temporarily, you will need to return to Georgia or wait until you do to get your replacement.
Do I need to bring the police report if my license was stolen?
No. You do not need a police report to replace a lost or stolen license. Bring your ID and proof of residency, and tell the DDS employee that it was lost or stolen. They will flag it in the system if you ask them to.
Will my replacement license have a new expiration date?
No. Your replacement license will have the same expiration date as your original license. If your original license was set to expire in 2027, your replacement will also expire in 2027.
What if the DDS office rejects one of my documents?
Ask the employee which document does not meet the requirements and what you need instead. Common issues include residency documents that are older than 60 days or primary IDs that are expired. You can often go home, gather the correct document, and return the same day, or you can come back another time.