If your New Hampshire driver's license or ID card has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you need to request a duplicate from the NH Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) right away. It is illegal to drive in NH without a driver's license, so the longer you wait, the longer you are unable to drive.
Also, losing a major form of ID can compromise your identity, so you may consider reporting it to your local police.
While NH does not require you to report a lost or stolen ID, filing a police report may help prevent someone else from assuming and using your identity.
If you're concerned your license or ID is in the wrong hands, you can learn additional tips to protect your identity by reading our page on preventing identity theft.
Submit a completed Driver's License/ID Card application (Form DSMV450).
Pay the $10 fee (cash, check, money order, or credit card).
Once you've taken the steps above, the NH DMV will issue you a temporary paper license valid for 60 days. Your permanent license or ID card will be mailed to you.
If you have a photo on file with the DMV, it will most likely be enough to verify your identity.
1 document showing proof of identity such as an original birth certificate.
1 document showing proof of a Social Security number such as a Social Security card.
Proof of NH residency (e.g. lease, current utility bill, NH vehicle registration, etc.).
The NH DMV provides a full list of acceptable residency and identification documents.
If you are temporarily away from the state, you have the option of applying for a duplicate license by mail. There is no option to apply online.
Complete and sign the Driver's License/ID Card application (Form DSMV450).
Complete and sign the Out-of-State Residence form (Form DSMV 594).
Enclose a check or money order for the $10 fee, made payable to "State of NH DMV".
Once the DMV receives your application, they will mail you a temporary duplicate license that you can use for 6 months. It will be mailed to your out-of-state address that you put on your Out-of-State Residence form (see above). Once you return to New Hampshire, you'll need to go into a DMV office to complete the process and get your permanent duplicate driver's license.
If you are stationed abroad as a member of the military, you may apply for a duplicate license or a license renewal as many times by mail as you need to while you're serving.
The steps and fees involved with applying for a duplicate license are the same as for other NH residents living out of state. See above to learn how to apply.
You cannot operate a commercial vehicle without a commercial driver's license (CDL). If yours has been lost or stolen, be sure to begin the process of replacing it right away.
The steps to replace a CDL are the same as above; however, instead of completing a standard driver's license application, you'll fill out the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) application (Form DSMV312).
If you'll temporarily reside outside New Hampshire and need driver and/or vehicle documents (e.g. driver's license, title, registration) mailed to your out-of-state residence, submit this form to the DMV.