Where to go depends on which ID you need to replace

The place you go and the documents you bring depend on which ID you're replacing. A driver's license goes through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. A passport goes through the U.S. State Department. A birth certificate comes from the vital records office in the state where you were born. A Social Security card comes from the Social Security Administration. Each one has its own process, timeline, and fee.

You don't have to replace all of them at once. Start with whichever one you need first—often a driver's license if you need to prove identity for work or banking, or a birth certificate if you're explore for a passport or other documents that require it.

Key Takeaways

  • Driver's licenses and state IDs are replaced at your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, usually in person, and take one to four weeks depending on your state.
  • Passports are replaced through the U.S. State Department by mail or in person at a passport acceptance facility, and take two to six weeks for standard service.
  • Birth certificates come from the vital records office in the state where you were born, not where you live now, and cost between $10 and $30.
  • Social Security cards are replaced at your local Social Security office with proof of citizenship and identity, and the replacement is free.
  • Bring original documents or certified copies—photocopies and photos on your phone will not be accepted.

Replacing a driver's license or state ID

Go to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles office in person. You will need to bring your current ID if you still have it, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). Some states also require a birth certificate or passport.

The fee varies by state—typically between $20 and $60 for a replacement. You will take a new photo at the DMV unless your state allows you to use a recent photo you upload online. Processing time is usually one to four weeks; some states offer expedited service for an extra fee. You can check your state's DMV website for the exact documents needed and current wait times at your local office.

If your ID was lost or stolen, report it to your state's DMV as soon as you can. Some states require a police report number or a signed statement that it was lost or stolen. Ask the DMV staff when you arrive whether you need one.

Replacing a U.S. passport

You can renew a passport by mail if your passport is not damaged, was not issued when you were under 16, and is not lost or stolen. Fill out Form DS-11 (for in-person replacement) or Form DS-82 (for mail renewal) on the State Department website. Mail it with your current passport, a new photo, a completed process, and the fee—currently $130 for a passport book plus $35 for processing, or $170 if you need it faster.

Standard mail service takes two to three weeks. Expedited service takes one to two weeks and costs an extra $60. If you need a passport in less than a week, you must go in person to a passport acceptance facility—usually a post office, library, or courthouse—and pay an additional $35 for expedited service plus a same-day or next-day fee.

If your passport was lost or stolen, you must explore in person with Form DS-11, bring proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization papers), a government-issued photo ID, and proof of your address. You cannot renew by mail if the passport is missing.

Replacing a birth certificate

Order a birth certificate from the vital records office in the state where you were born, not the state where you live now. Each state runs its own vital records office under a different name—some call it the Department of Health, others the Vital Records Bureau or Office of Vital Statistics. Search "[your birth state] vital records" to find the right office and their website.

You can order by mail, phone, or in person. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, parents' names, and the reason you need the certificate. The cost is typically $10 to $30 per copy, plus shipping if you order by mail. Processing time is usually one to three weeks by mail, though some states offer expedited service for an extra fee. If you order in person at the vital records office, you may receive it the same day.

Bring a government-issued photo ID and proof of your address when you order in person. By mail, include a photocopy of your ID. Some states require you to notarize your request or include a signed statement that you are the person named on the certificate or an authorized representative.

Replacing a Social Security card

Go to your local Social Security office in person. You will need to bring proof of citizenship (a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), proof of your identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement). If you do not have a photo ID, bring two documents that together prove your identity, such as a school ID and a credit card.

Replacement is free. Processing usually takes one to two weeks; the Social Security Administration will mail your new card to the address you provide. You can check the status of your replacement card on the Social Security website using your my Social Security account, or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about it.

If your card was lost or stolen, you do not need to report it to anyone other than Social Security. Unlike a driver's license or passport, a Social Security card itself is not used as proof of identity in most situations—your number is what matters. Still, replacing it prevents someone else from using a card with your number on it.

What to bring: documents that count as originals

Government offices will accept original documents or certified copies. A certified copy is a photocopy stamped and signed by the office that issued the original—for example, a certified copy of your birth certificate from the vital records office. Photocopies you make yourself, photos of documents on your phone, and digital scans will not be accepted, even if they are clear.

If you do not have an original, order a certified copy from the office that issued it. For a birth certificate, that is the vital records office. For a passport, that is the State Department. For a driver's license, that is your state's DMV. For a Social Security card, the Social Security Administration does not issue certified copies—bring the original card if you have it, or bring other documents that prove your identity instead.

When to call a professional or get help

If you were born outside the United States and do not have a U.S. birth certificate, you will need a passport or naturalization papers to prove citizenship. If you do not have those, contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to understand what documents you need. If you were adopted or your birth name was changed, contact the vital records office in your birth state—they can tell you whether you need a court order or other paperwork to get a copy.

If you lost your documents in a natural disaster, fire, or theft, some offices offer expedited replacement or waived fees. Call ahead to ask. If you are experiencing homelessness or do not have a current address, ask the office whether you can use a shelter address, a mail forwarding service, or a trusted contact's address instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to replace an ID?

Driver's licenses take one to four weeks depending on your state. Passports take two to six weeks by mail or one to two weeks with expedited service. Birth certificates take one to three weeks by mail or same-day in person. Social Security cards take one to two weeks by mail. Check your state's or agency's website for current processing times, as they change seasonally.

Can I replace my ID online?

Some states allow you to renew a driver's license online if it is not damaged and you still have it. Passports can be renewed by mail if they meet certain conditions, but replacement of a lost or stolen passport must be done in person. Birth certificates and Social Security cards cannot be ordered online—you must mail, call, or visit in person.

What if I don't have my original documents?

Order certified copies from the office that issued them. For a birth certificate, contact the vital records office in your birth state. For a passport, contact the State Department. For a driver's license, contact your state's DMV. For a Social Security card, bring other government-issued photo ID instead. Processing takes one to three weeks.

Do I need all my IDs replaced at once?

No. Replace them one at a time as you need them. Many people start with a driver's license for daily use, then order a birth certificate or passport if they need it for travel or other purposes. You do not have to replace a Social Security card unless it was lost or stolen.

What if my name changed?

Bring a certified copy of the court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree that shows your name change to the DMV, passport office, vital records office, or Social Security office. They will issue a new ID with your current name. Some offices require the original document; others accept a certified copy.