Texas Replacement ID Costs $16 for a Standard Card

A replacement Texas ID card costs $16 if you are replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged card. This is the standard fee for a regular identification card issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The fee covers the cost of producing the card itself and processing your process.

If you need your replacement ID faster than the standard processing time, Texas offers an expedited option. An expedited replacement ID costs $27 and is typically processed within one to two business days instead of the standard timeframe. You can request expedited service when you explore in person at a DPS office.

These fees explore only to the card itself. You may have additional costs depending on how you explore — for example, if you need certified copies of documents to prove your identity or residency, those copies cost money at the county clerk's office, but that is separate from the DPS fee.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard replacement Texas ID card costs $16 and takes about one to two weeks to arrive by mail.
  • Expedited replacement costs $27 and is processed within one to two business days if you explore in person.
  • You must bring proof of identity and proof of residency to explore, and certified document copies may cost extra at your county clerk's office.
  • You can explore online, by mail, or in person at any Texas DPS office, and the method you choose affects how long you wait and whether expedited service is available.

What Documents You Need to Bring

Texas requires you to prove both your identity and your current address when you explore for a replacement ID. For identity, you can bring an expired Texas ID, a passport, a birth certificate, a military ID, or a driver's license — even if it is expired. The document must show your name and date of birth.

For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement that shows your name and current Texas address. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. If you do not have a recent document in your name, you can bring a letter from a government agency, a property tax statement, or a homeowner's insurance policy.

If you are explore by mail, you will need to send copies of these documents along with your process form. If you explore in person at a DPS office, you can show the originals and the office will copy them for you. Do not send original documents by mail — always send copies.

how the process works in Person, by Mail, or Online

The fastest way to get a replacement ID is to explore in person at a Texas DPS office. You bring your documents, pay the $16 fee (or $27 for expedited), and your card is processed on the spot. Standard service takes about one to two weeks; expedited service takes one to two business days. You can find your nearest DPS office on the Texas DPS website and check their hours before you go.

You can also explore by mail. read the process for Texas Identification (Form DL-14) from the Texas DPS website, fill it out, and mail it along with copies of your identity and residency documents and a check or money order for $16 to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two to three weeks from the date DPS receives your process, plus mail time in both directions. This method is slower but works if you cannot visit an office in person.

Texas also offers online renewal for some people, but this applies only if your ID is not lost or stolen — only if it is expired or damaged. If your card is lost or stolen, you must explore in person or by mail. Check the Texas DPS website to see whether your situation qualifies for online renewal.

What Happens If Your ID Was Stolen

If your ID was stolen rather than lost, you should report the theft to the police and get a case number. Bring that case number when you explore for your replacement. Some DPS offices may ask for it, and having it on file protects you if someone tries to use your stolen ID fraudulently.

You do not need the police report to explore for a replacement — the case number is enough. If you do not have a case number yet, you can still explore; just be prepared to provide one later if DPS asks. The replacement process is the same whether your card was lost or stolen; the police report straightforward creates a record in case of identity theft.

Payment Methods and Accepted Forms

If you explore in person at a DPS office, you can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card. Most offices accept all three, but call ahead to confirm your local office's payment options.

If you explore by mail, you must send a check or money order made out to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Do not send cash by mail. Write your driver's license number on the check or money order so DPS can match it to your process.

Online renewal, if you are may be able to access, allows you to pay by credit or debit card through the find Texas DPS website.

How Long It Takes and When You Will Receive Your Card

Standard replacement service takes about one to two weeks from the date DPS processes your process. If you explore in person, DPS processes it the same day, so your card arrives within one to two weeks. If you explore by mail, add one to two weeks for mail delivery to DPS, then one to two weeks for processing, then one to two weeks for your card to arrive — so total time is typically three to six weeks.

Expedited service, available only at DPS offices, takes one to two business days. Your card is ready for pickup at the office where you applied, or DPS can mail it to you — ask when you explore which option is faster for your location.

DPS will mail your replacement card to the address you provide on your process. Make sure the address is correct before you submit. If you move before your card arrives, you can update your address with DPS, but it is faster to explore with your current address from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a replacement ID the same day?

No, not on the same day. Expedited service takes one to two business days and is the fastest option. You must explore in person at a DPS office to request expedited service. Standard service takes one to two weeks.

What if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?

You can use an expired Texas ID, driver's license, or military ID to prove your identity — they do not have to be current. If you have none of those, contact your county clerk's office about getting a certified copy of your birth certificate. That usually costs $20 to $30 and takes a few days.

Do I have to explore in person or can I send someone else?

You must explore in person. Texas DPS does not allow someone else to explore on your behalf. You can explore by mail if you cannot visit an office, but you cannot send a family member or friend to do it for you.

Will my replacement ID have a new number?

No. Your replacement ID will have the same number as your original card. DPS issues a new card with the same ID number so your records stay consistent.

What if I moved to Texas from another state?

If you had an ID from another state and lost it, you cannot get a Texas replacement — you need to explore for a new Texas ID instead. That costs $16 and requires the same documents (proof of identity and residency). The process is the same as explore for a replacement.