Get a replacement license by visiting a Department of Licensing office in person with proof of identity and residency
Washington's Department of Licensing (DOL) issues replacement driver's licenses when yours is lost, stolen, or damaged. You cannot order one by mail or online — you must go to a DOL office in person, bring specific documents, and pay a fee. The process takes about 30 minutes at the office, and you'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot while your permanent card is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
If your license was stolen, you should also report it to local police and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus, since a lost ID can be used to open accounts in your name. But for the license itself, the DOL replacement process is straightforward once you know what documents to bring.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Department of Licensing office in person with a government-issued ID and proof of your current Washington address.
- The replacement fee is $20 for a standard driver's license, and you'll receive a temporary paper license when ready.
- Your permanent replacement card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can use the paper license to drive until it arrives.
- If your license was stolen, file a police report and consider a fraud alert with credit bureaus, since the ID can be misused.
- DOL offices are open Monday through Friday, and some locations have extended hours; check the DOL website for your nearest office and current wait times.
Gather your identity and residency documents before you go
The DOL requires two things: proof of identity and proof of your current Washington address. For identity, bring one of these government-issued documents: a valid passport, a state ID card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a passport card. If you don't have any of those, you can bring two documents from a secondary list, which includes a Social Security card, birth certificate, or marriage certificate — but a single government-issued photo ID is the fastest route.
For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 30 days showing your current Washington address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. A piece of mail from a government agency counts too. If you've recently moved and don't have a document yet, ask your utility company or bank to send you a statement, or bring a lease with your signature and your landlord's contact information so the DOL can verify it.
Bring your Social Security number as well — you'll need it to fill out the replacement form. If you don't have it memorized, bring your Social Security card or any document that shows it.
Find a Department of Licensing office and check current hours
Washington has DOL offices in most counties. The main office is in Olympia, but you can visit any location — you don't have to go to the one in your county. Visit the Department of Licensing website and use their office locator tool to find the nearest one to you. The tool shows hours, phone numbers, and whether the office is currently accepting walk-ins or running by appointment only.
Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but some have extended hours on certain days. A few locations offer Saturday hours. Call ahead or check the website before you go, because wait times vary — some offices have short lines in the morning, while others may have a 30-minute to 1-hour wait during lunch or late afternoon.
If you cannot reach an office by phone or the website is unclear, you can call the DOL main line at 360-902-3900 to ask about hours and current wait times at your preferred location.
Complete the replacement form at the DOL office
When you arrive, you'll fill out form DL 44, which is the standard driver's license process. The form asks for your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and whether you want to renew any organ donor status or update your address. You'll also declare whether your license was lost, stolen, or damaged. The form takes about 5 minutes to complete, and DOL staff can help if you have questions.
Bring the form and your documents to the counter. The staff member will verify your identity and residency, take a new photo (unless you request to use your previous photo), and process the replacement. If you want to keep your existing photo on file instead of taking a new one, ask before the photo is taken — some offices allow this, but policies vary slightly by location.
Pay the replacement fee and receive your temporary license
The replacement fee for a standard driver's license in Washington is $20. You can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card — most offices accept all three. Some locations may have a small surcharge for credit card payments, so ask before you pay.
Once payment is processed, you'll receive a temporary paper license when ready. This temporary license is valid for driving in Washington and nationwide while you wait for your permanent card. Write down the temporary license number and keep it in your wallet — you'll need it if you're pulled over before the permanent card arrives.
The DOL will mail your permanent replacement card to the address you provided on the form. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need the card faster, ask the DOL staff whether expedited mailing is available; some offices offer it for an additional fee, though this is not may provide at all locations.
Track your replacement card and use your temporary license until it arrives
You can drive legally with your temporary paper license for the full 7 to 10 business days while your permanent card is in the mail. Keep the temporary license with you whenever you drive — it's your proof of a valid license if you're stopped by police.
The DOL does not send tracking notifications for replacement cards, so you won't receive an email or text when it ships. If more than 10 business days pass and your card hasn't arrived, call the DOL at 360-902-3900 or visit an office to check the status. Provide your temporary license number or Social Security number so they can look up your order.
Once your permanent card arrives, destroy the temporary paper license or keep it as a record. You don't need to return it to the DOL.
Report a stolen license to police and monitor your credit
If your license was stolen rather than lost, file a police report with your local police department or sheriff's office. You don't need to do this in person — many departments allow you to file online or by phone. Provide the officer with your license number, date of birth, and the date you discovered it was missing. Keep a copy of the police report number for your records.
A stolen ID can be used to open credit accounts, rent apartments, or commit fraud in your name. Consider placing a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. You can place a free fraud alert by calling one bureau; they'll notify the other two automatically. The alert lasts one year and can be renewed.
You may also want to check your credit report for unauthorized accounts. You can get a free credit report from each bureau once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official government site for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?
No. You must be present at the DOL office to explore for a replacement license. The DOL requires you to provide your signature and take a new photo as part of the process. You cannot send someone else to do this on your behalf.
What if I don't have proof of residency dated within the last 30 days?
Contact your utility company, bank, or landlord and request a statement or letter showing your current address. Most will send one within a few days. If you're in a time crunch, bring a lease agreement with your signature and your landlord's phone number — the DOL can verify it by calling them. A notarized letter from your landlord also works.
Do I need to renew my license if I'm replacing a lost one?
No. A replacement is not a renewal. You'll receive a new card with the same expiration date as your original license. If your license was already expired or is expiring soon, you can renew it at the same time, but that costs extra and requires a vision test.
What if my replacement card doesn't arrive after 10 business days?
Call the DOL at 360-902-3900 or visit an office with your temporary license number. They can check whether the card was mailed and provide a tracking update. If it's lost in the mail, they can issue a second replacement. You can continue driving with your temporary license while you wait for a replacement to be reissued.
Can I get a replacement license if I'm not a Washington resident?
No. You must be a Washington resident to hold a Washington driver's license. If you've moved out of state, you'll need to obtain a license from your new state instead. If you're temporarily out of state, you can still use your Washington license until it expires.