Wisconsin replaces lost, stolen, or damaged licenses through the DMV, by mail or in person

If your Wisconsin driver's license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can replace it at any Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Center or by mail. The process takes about two weeks by mail, or same-day if you go in person. You will need to bring proof of identity and Wisconsin residency, pay a replacement fee, and provide a new photo unless you are replacing a damaged card and your photo is still valid.

Wisconsin does not charge extra for a replacement due to loss or theft — the fee is the same as a standard renewal. The cost depends on how long you want the new license to be valid: a four-year license costs less than an eight-year license. You can choose either length when you replace.

Key Takeaways

  • You can replace your license in person at any Wisconsin DOT Service Center the same day, or by mail in about two weeks.
  • Bring a government-issued photo ID, proof of Wisconsin residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number or a document showing it.
  • The replacement fee is the standard license fee for your chosen validity period — four or eight years — not an extra charge for loss or theft.
  • If your license was stolen, you do not have to report it to police first, but you may want to for your records.
  • Your new license will have a different number than your old one.

In-person replacement at a Wisconsin DOT Service Center

Walk-in service is available at all Wisconsin DOT Service Centers during business hours. You do not need an appointment. Bring your proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number (or a document with it). If you have your old license, bring it; if not, just tell the staff member it is lost or stolen.

You will be photographed on-site unless your old license photo is still valid and you want to keep it. Most people get a new photo. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will receive your new license before you leave, and it is valid when ready.

Wisconsin DOT Service Centers are located in most counties. You can find the one nearest you on the Wisconsin DOT website by entering your city or ZIP code. Hours vary by location, but most are open weekdays during standard business hours and some offer limited Saturday hours.

By-mail replacement

Complete the Wisconsin Form DL-43 (process for Wisconsin Driver License or Identification Card). Mail it with a check or money order for the replacement fee, a copy of your proof of identity (front and back), and a copy of your proof of residency to the address listed on the form.

Do not send your original documents — send copies only. Include a new photo (passport-style, 2 by 2 inches) unless you are replacing a damaged card and want to keep your old photo. Mail everything to the Wisconsin DOT address on the form.

Processing takes about two weeks from the date the DOT receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail. If you need your license sooner, go in person to a Service Center instead.

What counts as proof of identity and residency

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, a U.S. military ID, a tribal ID card, or a state ID card from another state. If you do not have any of those, you can bring two documents from a longer list that includes a Social Security card, birth certificate, or school ID — ask the Service Center staff which two will work for your situation.

For proof of Wisconsin residency, bring one document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and current Wisconsin address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or insurance policy all work. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If you live with someone else, a bill in their name at that address is acceptable if you bring a signed letter from them saying you live there.

By mail, send copies of these documents. Make sure the copies are clear enough to read the name, address, and date.

Replacement fees and license validity periods

Wisconsin offers two validity periods for driver's licenses: four years or eight years. The four-year license costs less; the eight-year license costs more. Both are replacement fees — there is no surcharge for replacing a lost or stolen card. The exact fee amount changes periodically; check the Wisconsin DOT website for current pricing before you go in or mail your process.

Your new license will expire on your birthday in the year it is set to expire (four or eight years from issuance, depending on which you chose). If you are over 65, your license is valid for eight years but you may be able to renew by mail without a new photo — ask at the Service Center or on the form.

If your license was stolen and you are concerned about fraud

You do not have to file a police report to replace your license, but if you are worried someone might use your old license number for fraud, you may want to report the theft to your local police department for your own records. This is optional and does not speed up the replacement process.

Your new license will have a different number than your old one, so the old number will no longer be valid. If you are concerned about identity theft beyond the license itself, you can place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by contacting any one of them.

Damaged license replacement

If your license is damaged but still readable, you can replace it using the same process as a lost or stolen license. Bring the damaged card with you if you go in person, or include it with your mailed process. If your photo is still clear and you want to keep it, tell the staff member or note it on the form — you will not have to pay for a new photo.

Damage that makes a license unreadable (water damage, fading, cracks across the photo or name) is grounds for replacement at the standard fee. Wear and tear alone usually does not may have access to, but if you are unsure, call your local Service Center and describe the damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license if it expired?

Yes. A replacement and a renewal are different transactions. You can replace an expired license using the replacement process described here. Your new license will be valid for four or eight years from the date you replace it, not from when the old one expired.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

Bring a document that shows you do not have one, such as a letter from the Social Security Administration. If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, bring documentation of that. The Service Center staff can tell you which documents work for your situation.

How long does a replacement license stay valid?

Your new license is valid for either four or eight years, depending on which validity period you chose when you replaced it. It expires on your birthday in the year it is set to expire. You can renew it before it expires by mail or in person.

Can I replace my license online?

Wisconsin does not offer online replacement for lost, stolen, or damaged licenses. You must go in person to a Service Center or mail your process. In-person replacement is faster if you need your license right away.

What if I moved to Wisconsin from another state and my old license is lost?

You will need to get a Wisconsin license rather than replace your old one. This is a new license, not a replacement. Bring your out-of-state license if you have it, or proof of identity and residency, and follow the new license process at a Wisconsin DOT Service Center.