Canceling a Deceased Person's Driver's License and State ID

Canceling a deceased person's driver's license and state-issued ID is a straightforward but important step in protecting their identity. An active driver's license or state ID can be used by identity thieves to open accounts, commit fraud, or assume the deceased person's identity. Here's how to handle this in every state.

Why Cancel a Driver's License After Death?

A driver's license contains the most identity-theft-enabling information all in one place: full legal name, date of birth, address, and a photo. In the wrong hands, it can be used to:

• Open bank accounts or apply for loans
• Obtain additional forms of ID in the deceased's name
• Pass identity verification checks
• Commit crimes under the deceased's identity

Beyond identity theft, driving records are used in various legal and administrative processes. Having an active, unrevoked license on a deceased person's record can occasionally create administrative complications.

The General Process

Each state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency handles license cancellations differently, but the general process is similar:

1. Surrender the physical license and ID cards — bring the deceased person's driver's license, state ID card, and any other state-issued IDs you have to your state's DMV. They will destroy or void the document.
2. Submit notification of death — most states accept a death certificate as sufficient documentation to cancel the license in their system.
3. Ask for written confirmation — request written confirmation that the license has been cancelled and the record updated.

What If You Don't Have the Physical License?

If the physical license cannot be located — it was lost, not found among the deceased's belongings, or was otherwise unavailable — you can still notify the DMV of the death and request the license be marked as deceased in the system. Provide:

• A certified copy of the death certificate
• The deceased's full name, date of birth, and state license number (if known)
• Your identification and authority to act (relationship documentation)

State-Specific Processes

Most states allow this to be done in person at a DMV branch. Some states also accept mail submissions. A few states' DMVs will automatically update their records when the death is reported to the SSA, but this is not universal or immediate. To find your state's specific process, search "[state name] DMV deceased license cancellation."

REAL ID and Enhanced Licenses

If the deceased had a REAL ID-compliant license or Enhanced Driver's License (available in some border states), these should be surrendered and cancelled just like standard licenses. REAL ID-compliant documents provide access to federal facilities and domestic flights — an additional reason to ensure they are not in circulation after death.

Passport: A Related Step

While you're handling the driver's license, also consider canceling the deceased person's passport. US passports are valid for 10 years and represent another high-value identity document. See our article on canceling a passport after a death for that process.

Other State-Issued Documents

Beyond the driver's license and state ID, consider:

• Concealed carry permits / firearm licenses — notify the issuing agency; the permit should be cancelled and any associated firearms handled through the estate
• Professional licenses (medical, legal, contractor) — notify the relevant state licensing board; this prevents fraudulent use of the license and protects the professional's reputation
• Hunting and fishing licenses — typically expire on their own and are lower priority

Where to Store Documents You Can't Surrender

If you receive original documents back or are keeping them for estate purposes, store them securely — in a locked filing cabinet or safe — rather than leaving them accessible. Documents containing SSN, date of birth, or other identity information should be shredded once the estate is fully settled and they are no longer needed for legal or tax purposes.

For the complete identity theft prevention strategy, see our guide to protecting a deceased person's identity. For other accounts to cancel, see our guide to closing email and social media accounts.