Lost ID Documents in Cotonou: Reporting a Loss and Getting a Duplicate (2026)
A stolen wallet, a misplaced licence: the hardest part is often knowing where to start again. Since 3 October 2026, a first step can be done online: the government announced the loss certificate on certificatdeperte.bj, issued without travelling. This page follows the order of the steps, with the fees and delays published by the bodies involved.
The essentials (information checked on 4 October 2026)
- Loss certificate: online on certificatdeperte.bj, in four steps (log in, form, payment, receipt), at the official fee payable online.
- Driving licence duplicate (ANaTT): 22,000 FCFA, 72 hours estimated, online filing.
- Vehicle registration card duplicate (ANaTT): 13,000 FCFA, 48 hours, online filing.
- Plates: 15,000 FCFA for both, 9,600 FCFA for one. Registration card and two plates: 26,300 FCFA.
First, the loss certificate
The government announced on 3 October 2026 that the loss certificate can now be requested online, on certificatdeperte.bj: "no need to travel any more". The process takes four steps: log in, fill in the form, pay, receive the certificate.
Delivery is instant according to the government; the site adds that the certificate usually arrives by e-mail a few minutes after payment is confirmed. It is signed and verifiable by QR code. It covers, among others, the identity card, passport, diploma, driving licence and civil status records, and it is used to obtain the duplicate or renewal of the document concerned.
The fee is not shown in the announcement: the site speaks of "the official fee in force, payable online". For questions, the published contact is +229 01 51 53 30 81 or info@certificatdeperte.bj.
Declaring to the Republican Police still exists: the General Directorate of the Republican Police publishes a "Déclaration de vol / perte" page and a contact (contact@dgpr.bj). The 3 October announcement does not say what becomes of that route: ask the body that issues your duplicate whether it accepts the online certificate.
The driving licence
A lost or damaged licence is replaced through ANaTT's "Duplicata ou remplacement du permis de conduire" service. Any holder of a Beninese licence can apply, by filing the application online.
The total is 22,000 FCFA: 19,000 FCFA ANaTT fee, 1,000 FCFA Public Treasury receipt and 2,000 FCFA tax stamp. The estimated time is 72 hours. ANaTT receives people at Ganhi, within the Ministry of Living Environment and Transport premises: +229 21 31 47 12 (01 21 31 47 12 since 30 November 2024), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The registration card and plates
Any owner who has lost or damaged their registration card or plates can request a duplicate or replacement. The application is filed online and the stated delay is 48 hours.
ANaTT's fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration card duplicate or replacement | 13,000 FCFA |
| Registration card and two plates | 26,300 FCFA |
| Two plates | 15,000 FCFA |
| One plate | 9,600 FCFA |
The documents to attach appear when you file online: the presentation page does not list them.
The CIP and the secure birth certificate
The CIP costs 1,000 FCFA, for renewal as for first issue, according to ANIP. For the secure birth certificate, the request is made on eservices.anip.bj, at the same cost of 1,000 FCFA. Our guides cover each case: biometric card and CIP and secure birth certificate.
The passport
For a lost passport, the DEI is the point of contact. The sources checked do not detail the replacement procedure: ask the DEI, and see our guide to the Beninese passport for the cost, the delay and the mandatory online appointment for an ordinary issue.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I request a loss certificate online?
On certificatdeperte.bj, in four steps: log in, form, payment, receipt. The government announced it on 3 October 2026.
How much does a driving licence duplicate cost?
22,000 FCFA (19,000 ANaTT fee, 1,000 Treasury receipt, 2,000 tax stamp), with an estimated time of 72 hours.
How much does a registration card duplicate cost?
13,000 FCFA, in 48 hours. With two plates: 26,300 FCFA.
How much does replacing the plates cost?
15,000 FCFA for both plates, 9,600 FCFA for one.
Which documents do I attach to the request?
ANaTT's presentation pages do not list them: they appear when you file online.
Official sources (checked on 4 October 2026)
- Government of Benin, « Certificat de perte en ligne : désormais, plus besoin de se déplacer ! », 3 October 2026.
- certificatdeperte.bj: steps, official online fee, QR code, contact.
- Republican Police, Déclaration de vol / perte (DGPR).
- ANaTT, Duplicata ou remplacement du permis de conduire: cost, delay, eligibility, address and hours.
- ANaTT, Remplacement ou duplicata de carte grise 4 roues et plus: costs, delay, eligibility.
- ANIP, Certificat d'Identification Personnelle and Acte de naissance: costs.
- ARCEP Bénin, switch from 8 to 10-digit numbers, from 30 November 2024.
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