Procedure
Apply via Agent
License eXpress Account
If you have a License eXpress Account you may log-in using your computer, smartphone or tablet to begin the renewal process. If you do not have one, you must create an account then wait for the confirmation email to activate your account.
License eXpress Account
Renew Online (without a License eXpress account)
You will need:
- Your driver license or ID card number
- Your Social Security number - last 4 digits
- Visa, MasterCard, or American Express
- Email address and/or printer
To those renewing online, your temporary license won't include your photo and can't be used for identification. If you need one with a photo, you must visit a driver licensing office.
Renew Online
You should receive your license in 2-4 weeks. If you don't get it within 45 days, contact DOL by sending them an email drivers@dol.wa.gov.
Renew by Mail
If you;ve received a renewal letter you may renew your license by completing the form and sending it to DOL along with your payment.
Renew in Person
- Go to a driver licensing office.
- Pass the vision screening.
- Get a new photo taken.
- Pay the renewal fee
For military personnel
You don't need to renew during the term of your military service if you're:
- A member of the armed forces or National Guard on active duty.
- A reservist called to duty for 180 days or more.
- The spouse or dependent of an active member of the military.
Your driver license remains valid as long as you're on duty.
Renewal notice or other correspondence for someone who's deceased
If you have received a renewal notice or other correspondence for someone who's deceased, you can ignore the notice or send a copy of the death certificate to the Department of Licensing by:
- Email: drvrepfta@dol.wa.gov
- Fax: 360.570.7034
- Mail::
- Department of Licensing
- PO Box 9030
- Olympia, WA 98507
You don't have to return the persons license or ID card. You can keep it as a memento if you wish or discard it.
Required Documents
- Proof of Washington Residence
- Proof of identity.
- Evidence of Social Security number. If you don't have one, you'll need to show proof of Washington residence.
Proof of Washington Residence
For applicants who do not have a Social Security number, bring as many of the following documents as possible to be reviewed as proof of your Washington residence address:
- Home utility bill (gas, electric, water, garbage, land-line telephone, or ISTA. etc):
- Not acceptable: Cable, internet or satellite TV bills.
- A college or university document that has your current residential address on file.
- Off-campus students: Bring the printout from the SEVIS database which:
- States the address where you currently live.
- Proof it was printed by the Designated School Official or Responsible Officer.
- Selective Service card with your current residential address.
- Vehicle title (not a Quick Title with a tamper proof tape over the VIN and Title number).
- Bank-issued documents that include your name and current residential address (or your previous address if youve recently moved). Examples:
- Account statement
- Credit card statement
- Mortgage statement
Notes:
- Your documents must include your name and current Washington residential address.
- If you recently moved to a new address, bring both your current and previous documents to prove you were living in Washington.
- Documents other than the ones listed above may be taken into consideration if they show you reside in Washington.
- Its illegal to present fraudulent documents. If the Licensing Office find that your documents are fraudulent, you wont be able to reapply for 364 days.
Proof of identity:
Documents that will be accepted:
- Original or certified copies of the documents listed below.
- Multiple documents issued by a foreign government or organization, must be approved by the Licensing Office and will be accepted as separate documents. Currently accepted multiple documents are those issued by the:
- Mexican government
- Guatemalan government
Notes:
- The Licensing office may ask for more documents.
- The list may change without notice.
Stand-alone Documents:
- Washington State driver license, ID card, or instruction permit Valid or has expired within 1 year, has your signature, date of birth and photo.
- Out-of-state driver license, ID card, or instruction permit (if you have a Social Security number) Valid or expired within 60 days and has your photo. Give the Licensing Office your Social Security number so they can verify it.
- U.S. armed services ID card with photo Valid.
- U.S. passport Valid, has your signature and photo (an emergency passport isnt acceptable).
- Immigration ID with signature Valid, from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, with:
- Your signature and photo which are identifiable (I-327, I-551, I-571, I-766). or
- A Signature Waived notation or encrypted signature on the back of the card.
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization An original with your signature and photo.
- Department of Social and Health Services Childrens Administration (DSHS CA) ID letter If you're in:
- Court-ordered foster care with DSHS, or
- Another supervising Washington agency as your legal custodian, then
- You may prove your identity with an ID letter from DSHS CA.
A-List Documents:
- Out-of-state driver license, ID card or instruction permit (if you dont have a Social Security number) Valid or has expired within 60 days and has your photo.
- Driver license from a foreign country Valid or has expired within 60 days, has security features and is verifiable.
- Federal or state employee ID card Valid, shows your signature and photo.
- Foreign passport Valid and stamped U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) entry form I-94/I94W or Temporary I-551 ADIT stamp.
- Tribal enrollment ID card Must be federally-recognized Indian tribal enrollment card, or U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs ID card (Must have your signature and photo).
- Original U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization Where your signature and photo arent identifiable.
- Verification letter If youre on work release, or supervised by an agency that we have an agreement with, you may provide a verification letter from that agency. DOL currently have agreements with:
- Washington State Department of Corrections electronic version only.
- U.S. Federal correction authorities (FDOC).
- Department of Social and Health Services Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (DSHS JRA) electronic version only.
- DSHS Childrens Administration (CA) for foster youth only.
- Western State Hospital (WSH).
- Washington city or county police employee ID card Valid, has your signature and photo.
- U.S. Passport card has your name and photo.
B-List Documents:
Documents that establish your name and date of birth
- Certified birth certificate. (Puerto Rico birth certificates must have an issue date of July 1, 2010 or later to be accepted.)
- Certified Washington birth registration card.
- A valid concealed weapons permit issued by a Washington county.
- Consular report of birth abroad.
- Court-issued adoption papers.
- Military DD 214.
- U.S. driver license, photo instruction permit, or ID card (invalidated or expired within the past 5 years).
- U.S. passport (expired within the past 5 years).
- Valid U.S. visa.
- Veteran Administration ID with your name, photo, and date of birth.
- Ward of the Court decree/Order of Dependency.
- Washington State driver license, photo instruction permit, or ID card (invalidated or expired within the past 5 years).
Other acceptable B-List Documents with your name and date of birth, signature, photo, or current WA residence address:
- Divorce decree that has your name and signature (filed with the county).
- Driving record from another state issued within the past 30 days.
- Foreign passport that has expired within 5 years, or without an I-94/I-94W form or temporary I-551 ADIT stamp.
- Foreign driver license expired not more than 5 years. The license must have security features and be verifiable.
- Valid Guatemala Consulate ID card.
- Marriage license or certificate (filed with the county).
- Medicare card.
- Valid Mexican Matricula Consular ID card.
- Mexican Federal Electoral Card issued 1991 or later. (Your photo must be readily identifiable.)
- Mexican school record with a seal and your photo at the age when issued.
- Mortgage document or mortgage coupon payment book.
- Nexus, Sentri, or Fast Border Crossing card.
- Professional license (nurse, physician, engineer, etc.)
- Property deed or title (filed).
- Property tax bill or statement issued within the last 12 months.
- Selective Service card.
- School transcript includes your date of birth.
- Form I-20 or DS-2019 for foreign exchange students.
- School yearbook with your recognizable photo (or copy certified by the school).
- Social Security card with your signature. Well verify it.
- Transportation Worker Credential (TWIC).
- U.S. Merchant Mariners card (valid or expired within the past 5 years).
- WA vehicle title with your current residence address (not a Quick Title with a tamper-proof tape over the VIN and title number).
Office Locations & Contacts
Eligibility
Provide eligibility criteria's for going through this procedure.
Fees
License fee is $9 per year. Renewal periods are for 6 years. So your license fee is $9 x 6 years = $54.
Validity
Documents to Use
Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links
Sample Documents
Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.
Processing Time
Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.
Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.
Instructions
Renewing Your License
You may renew your license up to 1 year before it expires. Typically, it expires on your birthday every 6 years.
If you renew before youre 21 your new license will be in the vertical format for minors. To get a horizontal-format license, you must be 21 years old.
Renewing Online or through License eXpress
You must be at least 24 70 years old to renew online or through License eXpress. Other restrictions may apply.
Required Information
- Full Name
- Date of Expire
- Permanent Residential Address
- Date of Birth
- Age
- Social Security Number
Need for the Document
Please provide the need for the procedure. e.g. Birth Certificate - why do we need to have a birth certificate?
Enter other informations which might help.
Other uses of the Document/Certificate
Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.
External Links
Others
More information which might help people.