Update your address online, by mail, or in person at the DMV

You can change your address on your California driver's license or ID card without renewing the card itself. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) lets you update your address through three routes: online at dmv.ca.gov, by mail using Form DL 43, or in person at a DMV office. The online method is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and your record updates when ready. Mail takes 1 to 2 weeks. In-person visits require an appointment, which you book through the DMV website.

You do not need to pay a fee to change your address. Your current license or ID card remains valid; the DMV sends you a replacement card with the new address printed on it within 7 to 10 business days if you go online or mail the form. If you change your address in person, you leave with a temporary paper license valid for 60 days while the card is printed.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method at dmv.ca.gov is the fastest route and updates your record the same day, with a replacement card arriving in 7 to 10 business days.
  • You need your driver's license or ID number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to change your address online.
  • If you mail Form DL 43, include a copy of a document showing your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days works.
  • In-person changes at a DMV office require an appointment booked online; bring your current license or ID and proof of your new address.
  • Your old license stays valid until the replacement arrives; you do not need to surrender it or pay any fee.

Changing your address online

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Change Address" under the Driver's License and ID Card section. You will need your current driver's license or ID number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity using these details and then ask you to enter your new address.

Once you submit, your DMV record updates when ready. You can use your new address for purposes like vehicle registration or insurance the same day. The DMV mails a replacement card with your new address to the address you entered. The card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to do anything else — no forms, no documents, no fee.

If the online system cannot verify your identity, it will tell you to use the mail or in-person method instead. This sometimes happens if your DMV record has incomplete information or if there is a mismatch between what you enter and what the system has on file.

Changing your address by mail

read and print Form DL 43 from dmv.ca.gov. Fill in your current license or ID number, your name, date of birth, and your new address. You must also include a document that shows your new address — a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days all work. A copy is fine; you do not need the original.

Mail the completed form and your address proof to the DMV office listed on the form. Processing takes 1 to 2 weeks from the date the DMV receives it. Your replacement card will be mailed to your new address. Do not include your current license or ID card with the form — keep it until the replacement arrives.

If you are moving out of state or to a military address, the mail method is often simpler than trying to book an in-person appointment. The same form works for both situations.

Changing your address in person at a DMV office

Book an appointment through dmv.ca.gov by selecting "Driver's License or ID Card Services" and then "Change Address." Choose your nearest DMV office and pick an available time slot. Appointments are usually available within 1 to 3 weeks depending on your location.

Bring your current driver's license or ID card and one document showing your new address — the same documents accepted by mail work here (utility bill, lease, bank statement, government mail dated within 60 days). You do not need to bring your Social Security card or birth certificate.

At your appointment, a DMV representative will verify your information and issue a temporary paper license valid for 60 days. Your replacement card with the new address will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. The in-person method is useful if you need proof of your new address when ready, since the temporary license shows it.

What documents count as proof of your new address

The DMV accepts documents dated within the last 60 days that show your name and new address. Utility bills (electric, gas, water), lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, and government mail (tax forms, voter registration, court documents) all work. Insurance documents with your new address are also accepted.

If your name on the document does not match your license exactly — for example, your lease is under a spouse's name or a nickname — bring a second document that shows both names or explains the difference. A marriage certificate or court order works for this purpose. If you are moving to a new address but your mail has not started arriving there yet, ask your landlord or property manager for a signed letter on their letterhead confirming your move-in date and address.

Timeline and what to expect after you submit

Online submissions update your DMV record the same day. Mail submissions take 1 to 2 weeks from receipt. In-person appointments are processed on the spot, and you leave with a temporary paper license. In all three cases, your replacement card arrives within 7 to 10 business days after processing.

Your old license or ID card remains valid until the replacement arrives. You do not need to destroy it or return it to the DMV. If you need to use your license for identification before the replacement arrives, your old card with the old address is still acceptable — most businesses and agencies recognize that address changes take time.

If your replacement card does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DMV through dmv.ca.gov or call 1-800-777-0133. Have your driver's license or ID number ready. The DMV can check the status of your replacement card and remail it if needed.

Changing your address when you renew or replace your license

If your license is expiring soon or you need to replace it for another reason (lost, damaged, name change), you can update your address at the same time. When you renew or replace, the DMV will ask for your current address and will print it on the new card. You do not need to make a separate address-change transaction.

If you are renewing online through dmv.ca.gov, the system will ask whether your address has changed. If you are renewing in person or by mail, include your new address on the renewal form or tell the DMV representative at your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my address if I move within California?

Yes. California law requires you to notify the DMV of any address change within 10 days of moving. Updating your address is how you do this. You do not face a penalty if you update late, but it is best to do it promptly so your license matches your current residence.

What if I move out of California?

If you move to another state, you will eventually need a driver's license or ID from that state. You do not have to change your California address first. However, if you are keeping your California license temporarily, you can update your address to your new out-of-state address using the mail form or in-person method. The online system may not accept out-of-state addresses, so use Form DL 43 instead.

Can I change my address if my license is suspended or revoked?

Yes. A suspended or revoked license does not prevent you from updating your address. The DMV still needs to know where you live. Update your address through any of the three methods, and your record will be updated even though your license status is not active.

Will changing my address affect my vehicle registration?

No. Your driver's license address and your vehicle registration address are separate records. Changing one does not automatically change the other. If you want your vehicle registration to show your new address, you will need to update that separately through the DMV or online at dmv.ca.gov.

What if the DMV mails my replacement card to the wrong address?

Contact the DMV when ready through dmv.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-777-0133. Provide your driver's license number and explain the issue. The DMV can remail the card to the correct address or issue a replacement. If your card was mailed to an old address where you no longer live, ask the current resident to return it to you or contact the DMV to report it lost.