Get a replacement license by visiting your local Missouri Department of Revenue office with proof of identity and residency
A lost Missouri driver's license requires an in-person visit to a Department of Revenue office. You cannot replace it by mail or online. The process takes about 15 minutes at the office itself, though you may wait depending on how busy the location is. You will need to bring specific documents, pay a fee, and have your photo taken. A replacement license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Missouri does not issue temporary paper licenses while you wait for the replacement to arrive. If you need to drive before the new license reaches you, you have limited options — some offices can issue a temporary driving permit valid for 30 days, but availability varies by location. Call ahead to ask whether your local office offers this.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Department of Revenue office in person with a government-issued photo ID and proof of your current Missouri address.
- The replacement fee is $11.50 for a standard license, and payment is cash, check, or card depending on the office.
- Your new license will be mailed to the address on file and typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
- Some offices issue 30-day temporary permits if you need to drive before the replacement arrives, but you must ask when you visit.
- If your license was stolen rather than lost, you may want to file a police report first, though it is not required to get a replacement.
Gather your documents before you go to the office
Bring an original or certified copy of one of these documents to prove your identity: a U.S. passport, a passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a certified birth certificate. A photo is required on most of these — a birth certificate does not have one, but it is still accepted. A school ID, work badge, or expired driver's license will not work on its own.
You also need proof that you live in Missouri. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current address works. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. If you recently moved and your utility bill still shows an old address, bring a lease or mortgage document instead. A piece of mail from a government agency — tax notice, court document, or voter registration card — also counts.
If your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, the new license will be issued under your old name.
Find your nearest Department of Revenue office and check hours
Missouri has driver license offices in most counties. Use the Department of Revenue's office locator at dor.mo.gov to find the one closest to you. The locator shows the address, phone number, and hours for each location. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. A few locations close for lunch.
Call the office before you go. Ask whether they are currently accepting walk-ins or whether you need an appointment. During busy periods — typically mid-month and before holidays — some offices require you to book a time slot online or by phone. The wait time without an appointment can be 30 minutes to over an hour. If your office uses appointments, you can reserve one through the same locator tool or by calling.
Bring all your documents with you. If you forget something, you will have to return another day. The office staff cannot issue a replacement without the required proof of identity and address.
Complete the process and pay the fee at the office
When you arrive, you will fill out Form DL 44, the Missouri driver license process. The staff will help you if you have questions. This is a short form asking for your name, address, date of birth, and whether you want to renew any organ donor status from your previous license.
The replacement fee is $11.50. Most offices take cash, checks, and debit or credit cards, but a few smaller locations may accept cash only. Ask when you call to confirm what payment methods your office uses. You will also have your photo taken at the office — wear something you would wear in a photo ID, and avoid hats or sunglasses.
The staff will verify your documents, process the form, take your photo, and give you a receipt. Keep the receipt. It shows the date you applied and the expected arrival date of your new license. If your license does not arrive within 10 business days, call the office with your receipt number and they can check the status.
What to do if you need to drive before the replacement arrives
Ask the office staff whether they can issue a temporary permit. Some Missouri offices issue a 30-day temporary driving permit on the spot, valid while you wait for your replacement license. Not all offices offer this, and it is not automatic — you have to request it. If your office does issue one, the fee is included in the $11.50 replacement cost.
If your office does not issue temporary permits, you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives. Do not drive with an expired or lost license, even if you are waiting for a replacement. If you are stopped, you can show the receipt from your process, but that does not give you permission to drive.
If you need to drive urgently and your office does not offer a temporary permit, your only option is to ask someone else to drive you until the replacement arrives.
Track your replacement license after you leave the office
Your new license is mailed to the address you provided at the office. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you moved recently, make sure the address you gave is current — mail sent to an old address will not reach you.
If your license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Department of Revenue office where you applied. Have your receipt ready. They can check whether the license was mailed and provide a tracking number if it was. If there was a processing error, they can reissue it.
Once your new license arrives, destroy the old one if you still have it. You do not need to return it to the state. If your license was stolen and you later recover it, destroy it anyway — only one valid license should exist in your name.
If your license was stolen, consider filing a police report
A lost license and a stolen license are treated the same way for replacement purposes — you follow the same steps and pay the same fee. However, if you believe your license was stolen, filing a police report creates a record in case someone tries to use it fraudulently. You can file the report online through your local police department's website, or in person at a police station.
A police report is not required to get a replacement license, and it does not speed up the process. Its main value is documentation if identity theft occurs later. If someone uses your lost license to open accounts or commit fraud, the police report shows when you reported it missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my license by mail or online?
No. Missouri requires you to visit a Department of Revenue office in person. You cannot mail in documents or complete the replacement through the state website. You must bring original documents, have your photo taken, and pay the fee in person.
What if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?
You need one of the accepted identity documents listed on the Department of Revenue website. If you do not have a passport or birth certificate, a military ID, tribal ID, or certified copy of your birth certificate from the vital records office in your birth state will work. Contact your local vital records office if you need to order a certified birth certificate — this usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Do I have to replace my license if I found it after ordering a replacement?
Once you have ordered a replacement, let it arrive and destroy the original when it comes. Having two valid licenses in your name can cause problems with insurance, law enforcement, and government records. Do not try to cancel the replacement order — there is no process for that. Destroy the original license instead.
What happens if I move before my replacement license arrives?
The license will be mailed to the address you provided at the office. If you move after explore but before it arrives, contact the Department of Revenue office where you applied and provide your new address. They may be able to update it before the license ships. If the license arrives at your old address, ask the new resident to mark it "return to sender" and put it back in the mail, or contact the office for a reissue.
Can I get a REAL ID-compliant license when I replace a lost one?
Yes. When you fill out the process at the office, ask whether you want a REAL ID license. It costs the same as a standard replacement ($11.50) but requires one additional document — proof of your Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or tax return. If you want REAL ID, bring that document along with your identity and address proof.