To reprint your permit, contact the agency that originally issued it and ask for a duplicate. Most agencies let you make the request online, by mail, or in person, and the fee typically falls somewhere between $5 and about $40 depending on the state and the type of permit. Online is usually the fastest route; in person is the right choice when you need something in hand the same day.
Start With the Agency That Issued It
The reprint process depends entirely on which agency put your name on the permit in the first place. A driver’s license or learner’s permit comes from your state motor vehicle agency, whether it goes by DMV, Department of Driver Services, or another name.1USAGov. How to Replace Lost or Stolen ID Cards Professional licenses for healthcare providers, engineers, accountants, and similar occupations are handled by state licensing boards.2National Practitioner Data Bank. State Licensing and Certification Agencies Hunting and fishing licenses go through your state’s fish and wildlife agency.3U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Purchase a Hunting License Building permits, zoning permits, and business health permits are typically issued by a local city or county department.
If you’re not sure which agency to call, check the paperwork you received when the permit was first issued, search your email for the confirmation, or look up the permit type on your state or local government website. Getting this right at the start keeps you from filling out the wrong form or waiting in the wrong line.
What to Have Ready Before You Request a Duplicate
Gather your information before you begin. Almost every agency asks for your full legal name, date of birth, and current address. If you still have your permit number from an old copy or a digital record, that speeds things up. Many motor vehicle agencies also want the last four digits of your Social Security number, and some want the full number.
For online requests, you may need login credentials for an existing account, answers to security questions, or a PIN tied to your record. Some government sites use multi-factor authentication that involves a one-time code sent to your phone or a biometric check.4Login.gov. Issues With Face or Touch Unlock If you’re going in person, bring at least one government-issued photo ID. Agencies generally want original documents or certified copies, not photocopies.
Online, By Mail, or In Person
Online
Most state motor vehicle agencies and many professional licensing boards let you request a duplicate through an online portal.5USAGov. State Motor Vehicle Services You log in or create an account, verify your identity, confirm your details, and pay the fee with a credit or debit card. Some agencies tack on a small convenience fee for card payments. The request itself often takes less than fifteen minutes, and many portals will generate a temporary digital permit or a printable receipt you can use right away.
By Mail
Download or request the application form from the issuing agency’s website, fill it out completely, and send it in with your identity documents and payment. Mail payments are almost always by check or money order made out to the agency. Expect the full round trip to take several weeks, because your envelope has to get there, a staff member has to process it, and the replacement has to come back.
In Person
Walking into a local office is your best move when you need something immediately, when the online system is down, or when your situation is complicated enough to need a real conversation. Bring your completed application, proof of identity, and a payment method. For driver’s licenses, you’ll usually have a new photo taken. Many offices hand you a temporary paper permit on the spot so you can drive legally while the permanent card is in the mail.
What a Reprint Costs
Fees vary widely by state and permit type. Duplicate driver’s licenses run as low as $5 in a handful of states and $40 or more in others, with most states falling in the $10 to $25 range. Professional and occupational license duplicates run anywhere from free to about $60 depending on the licensing board. Hunting and fishing license replacements tend to cost less, often under $15. Building, zoning, and business permit copies from a city or county office usually carry a small certified-copy fee.
Some agencies waive the fee under specific circumstances, such as for active-duty military members, homeless individuals, or people whose permits were destroyed in a federally declared disaster. Ask before paying, because these waivers aren’t always advertised.
When Your Replacement Arrives
Most reprinted permits are mailed to the address the agency has on file. Delivery typically takes one to four weeks. If you applied online or in person, you’ll often get a temporary paper or digital permit that’s valid for driving and basic identification while you wait for the permanent card.
A temporary paper license has real limits. TSA does not accept temporary driver’s licenses as valid identification at airport security, so if you’re flying before your permanent card arrives, use a passport or another acceptable photo ID.6Transportation Security Administration. Is a Temporary Drivers License Sufficient for Entry Through a KCM Portal
If you’ve recently moved, update your address with the issuing agency before requesting the reprint. USPS mail forwarding changes your mailing address with the Post Office, but it does not update your record at the DMV or a licensing board.7USPS. Standard Forward Mail and Change of Address Skip this step and your new card can land at your old address. If nothing has arrived within about 30 days, call the agency to check the status.
If Your Permit Was Stolen, Do More Than Reprint It
A lost permit is an inconvenience. A stolen one is a potential identity-theft problem, because your permit typically carries your full name, date of birth, address, and sometimes more. In addition to requesting the reprint:
- File a police report and keep a copy. You may need it to dispute fraudulent accounts or prove to creditors that you were a victim.
- Place a fraud alert by contacting any one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). That bureau is required to notify the other two, so a single call covers all three. A fraud alert makes it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name.8Federal Trade Commission. Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
- Consider a credit freeze, which blocks new creditors from accessing your credit report entirely. You can place and lift freezes for free at all three bureaus.8Federal Trade Commission. Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
- If you discover misuse, file a report at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC site generates a personalized recovery plan and pre-filled letters you can send to businesses and credit bureaus.
Don’t wait for signs of fraud. A fraud alert or freeze costs nothing and takes minutes.
Real ID and Your Reprint
As of May 2025, TSA requires a Real ID-compliant license, passport, or other approved identification at airport security checkpoints and at certain federal facilities.9Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID If your current license isn’t Real ID-compliant, a reprint is a natural moment to upgrade, but upgrading generally means bringing extra documents such as a birth certificate, Social Security card, and two proofs of residency.
If you just want a straight duplicate of what you had, and your previous license was already Real ID-compliant, most states will reissue it without making you resubmit all of that paperwork. Check your state motor vehicle agency’s website to confirm what applies, because the rules vary.10USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel
Non-Driver Permits Follow the Same Pattern
Driver’s licenses get the most attention, but the core process carries over. For a professional or occupational license, use your state licensing board’s portal; some boards issue only a digital verification letter, which is often all an employer or client actually needs. For hunting and fishing licenses, many state fish and wildlife agencies let you reprint directly from your online account. For a building, zoning, or business permit, contact the city or county department that issued it; because these offices keep the underlying records, a certified copy is usually straightforward to obtain, though you may need to visit in person. If you’re mid-construction and the permit needs to be posted at your job site, don’t put it off, because inspectors expect to see it displayed.