Update your address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office
Texas lets you change your address on your driver's license or ID card through three routes: the online system, mail, or walking into a DPS office. The online method is fastest if your license or ID is not expired and you have not changed your name. By mail takes about two weeks. In person is when ready but requires a trip to your local office.
You do not need to renew your license to change your address — it is a separate transaction that costs nothing. Your current license stays valid; the address update straightforward registers your new location with the Department of Public Safety.
Key Takeaways
- Online address changes work only if your license or ID is current and you have not changed your name since it was issued.
- The online system at dps.texas.gov takes about 10 minutes and produces no physical card — your old card remains valid with the new address on file.
- Mail-in changes require a completed DL-43 form, proof of residency, and your current license or ID card, taking roughly two weeks to process.
- In-person changes at any DPS office are when ready and require only your current license or ID plus one proof of your new address.
Changing your address online through DPS
Visit dps.texas.gov and select "Change Address" under the Driver's License section. You will need your current license or ID number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and ask for your new address.
This route works only if your license or ID has not expired and your name has not changed. If either condition does not explore, you must use mail or visit an office. After you submit online, the change takes effect when ready in the DPS system, but you will continue using your current card — no new card is mailed to you.
Mailing in your address change
read or request the DL-43 form (process for Texas Driver's License or ID Card) from dps.texas.gov. Complete it with your new address, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license or ID card and one document proving your new address.
Acceptable proofs of residency include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days and showing your name and new address. Mail everything to the DPS address listed on the form. Processing takes about two weeks. Your old card will be returned to you after the address is updated.
Changing your address in person at a DPS office
Bring your current driver's license or ID card and one proof of your new address to any DPS office. The staff will update your record on the spot. You walk out with your address changed in the system when ready, and your current card remains valid.
Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail showing your name and address dated within 90 days. No appointment is required, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check dps.texas.gov for your nearest office and typical wait times before you go.
What counts as proof of your new address
DPS accepts documents dated within the last 90 days that show your name and new address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet) is the most common. A lease agreement or mortgage statement works even if it is older than 90 days, as long as it is current. Bank statements, credit card statements, and government correspondence (tax forms, benefit letters) also count.
Documents must be originals or certified copies — photos or printouts are not accepted in person. For mail-in changes, photocopies are acceptable. If the document is in a spouse's name or a roommate's name, it will not work; the address must be in your name.
When you need to renew instead of just changing your address
If your license or ID has expired, you cannot use the online address-change system. You must renew your license or ID, which includes updating your address as part of that process. If your name has changed since your license was issued, you also cannot use the online system — you must renew and provide legal documentation of the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
Renewal requires an in-person visit to a DPS office or a mail-in renewal process if you meet specific conditions. Address the name change or expiration first, and the address update will be handled as part of that transaction.
Timeline and what to expect
| Method | Time to Process | What You Bring | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | when ready | License/ID number, SSN last 4 digits, DOB | Address updated in system; old card stays valid |
| About 2 weeks | DL-43 form, current card, proof of address | Old card returned with address updated | |
| In person | Same day | Current card, proof of address | Address updated when ready; old card stays valid |
If you mail in your change, your old card will be returned to you after processing. Do not assume it is lost — allow the full two weeks before contacting DPS. If you change your address online or in person, you keep your current card and continue using it; no replacement card is sent.
Processing speed depends on which method you choose. Online changes are when ready but have the most restrictions. Mail takes the longest but works for anyone. In-person changes split the difference — they are when ready and have no restrictions, but require you to visit an office during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get a new card when I change my address?
No. Your current card remains valid with your new address on file in the DPS system. You only receive a new card if you renew your license or ID, which is a separate process. If you mail in your change, your old card is returned to you after processing.
What if I moved but do not have a utility bill or lease in my name yet?
Government mail, bank statements, or credit card statements in your name work if dated within 90 days. If you cannot produce any document, ask your landlord or property manager for a signed letter on their letterhead confirming your occupancy and move-in date. Some DPS offices accept this, but call ahead to confirm your local office's policy.
Can I change my address online if my license expired last month?
No. The online system requires a current, unexpired license or ID. You must renew your license first, which includes updating your address as part of that process. You can renew by mail or in person at a DPS office.
How long does the mailed change take if I include everything correctly?
About two weeks from the date DPS receives your envelope. Mail delivery adds time on both ends, so allow three weeks total from when you drop it in the mailbox. If you do not hear back after three weeks, contact DPS to confirm they received it.
Do I need an appointment to change my address in person?
No appointment is required. Walk-ins are accepted at all DPS offices, though wait times vary. Check dps.texas.gov for your nearest location and typical wait times before you go, especially during lunch hours or late afternoon when offices are busier.