When a driver's license or passport vanishes from your wallet, the next hour can feel messy. There is no single desk that restores every missing card at once. Each credential comes back through the agency that issued it.
Start by taking inventory of what went missing. A state driver's license, a passport, a Social Security card, and a Medicare card all follow different tracks. Trying to fix them in one sweep tends to cause confusion. Grab a sheet of paper and write down each card that is gone. USAGov's guide to replacing lost or stolen ID cards lays out the starting point for each one.
Before you apply, ask which document the agency will accept as proof of who you are. Many agencies want an official document, such as a birth certificate, to prove identity or citizenship. Knowing that in advance can save you a wasted trip. The USAGov page was last updated in November 2025, so confirm current details with the agency before you act.
Start with the agency that issued the ID
Every credential belongs to a specific issuing office. If your driver's license or state ID is stolen, the route runs through your state motor vehicle agency. Rules differ by state, so check your own state's page through USAGov's state motor vehicle services directory. That is where you will find scheduling, in-person requirements, and local details.
Going to the wrong office costs time. A state motor vehicle office is unlikely to reprint a Social Security card, for example, because that card comes from a different agency. Pick the office by ID type first, then look up its forms and requirements.
Once you find the right office, read its list of accepted proofs of identity. The sources behind this guide do not give a full document list for each ID type, so the agency itself is the place to confirm. Bring a short list of questions. Which document will you need to show? Do you have to report the loss before requesting a replacement? What will the replacement cost? Write the answers down next to the card they apply to.
Get a certified birth certificate when you need one
A certified birth certificate is a common proof document, so it is often worth ordering early. You get a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born, as described in USAGov's guide to certified birth certificates. You will need to know the city and county of your birth.
Most offices let you choose between ordering online, by mail, or in person. Pick based on how fast you need the copy. The cost of a certified copy varies by state, so check the fee with your birth state's office before you pay. If you were born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad serves the same purpose as a U.S. birth certificate.
If you lost every ID and cannot get a birth certificate right away, there are still options. According to USAGov, most states accept another verification method, such as a sworn statement of identity or a notarized letter with a copy of a parent's photo ID. USAGov also suggests trying to replace your driver's license first if the birth certificate is out of reach. Ask your state office which of these it will take.
Know the routes for federal and program IDs
Federal and benefit cards each have their own path. A lost or stolen U.S. passport should be reported to the State Department, and then you request a replacement in person. The sources used here do not cover the passport steps or fees in detail, so confirm the current process on the State Department's official site.
- Social Security card: Replace it online, by mail, or in person through the Social Security Administration.
- Permanent Resident Card: Contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and use Form I-90. Start at the USCIS Green Card replacement page. To replace a Certificate of Citizenship, the form is N-565.
- Medicare card: Print or replace it through your Medicare online account, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).
- Medicaid card: Go through your state Medicaid office.
- Military ID: Report it missing to your unit security officer, then make an appointment at an ID card office.
Fees for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and military replacements are not stated in the sources, so ask each office directly. The same goes for how long each replacement takes. No source here gives processing times, and any number you hear from someone else is worth checking against the agency.
Verify that every contact is genuine
People who have lost ID can become easy targets for scams. USCIS notes that its website has scam-avoidance resources and a page for reporting immigration scams. Treat any contact claiming to be USCIS with caution until you confirm it through the official site.
Use only official, secure .gov websites when you share sensitive information. Type the address yourself rather than following a link in an unexpected email or text. If you are unsure which office to contact, you can call USAGov at 1-844-USAGOV1 (1-844-872-4681).
A short checklist and what this guide leaves out
- List every card that is missing.
- Find the issuing agency for each one.
- Ask each agency which proof of identity it accepts and whether you must report the loss first.
- Order a certified birth certificate if you need one.
- Use only .gov sites and confirm contacts before sharing personal details.
The sources do not give full document lists or Real ID details beyond a note that state motor vehicle services cover Real ID. They also do not explain how to report identity theft or freeze credit after an ID is stolen. The Federal Trade Commission is the federal agency usually associated with identity theft reports, so look for its official .gov site and confirm the steps there.
Replacing a card restores the card. It does not undo any misuse of your information. This is general education, not legal or personal advice.
