You can update your Illinois driver's license address online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility
Illinois lets you change your address without renewing your license early. The fastest route is the online system on the Secretary of State website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. If you prefer to go in person or by mail, both options work but take longer — in-person visits usually happen within a few days if you walk in, and mail processing typically takes two to three weeks.
You do not need a new photo or to retake a vision test unless your license is expiring soon or you are renewing for other reasons. The address change itself is a separate transaction that updates your record without touching the rest of your license.
Key Takeaways
- The online address change through the Secretary of State website is free and the fastest option, completing in minutes.
- You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address to change your address online.
- If you cannot use the online system, you can mail a completed form to the Secretary of State or visit a facility in person with your ID and proof of your new address.
- Proof of your new address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail — anything dated within the last 60 days showing your name and new address.
- Changing your address does not extend or shorten your license expiration date; your license remains valid until its original renewal date.
Changing your address online through the Secretary of State website
Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and look for the "Online Services" section. You will find a link for address changes under driver's license services. Click it and you will be asked to enter your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity using this information.
Once verified, enter your new address exactly as you want it to appear on your license. Double-check the spelling and format — the address you submit is what will print on any future documents. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Save or print this number; it proves you made the change if there are any questions later.
The change takes effect when ready in the Secretary of State's system. However, if you need a physical ID card showing your new address right away, you will have to visit a facility in person or wait for your license to renew.
Mailing a change-of-address form to the Secretary of State
read the DL 43 form (Change of Address) from the Secretary of State website, or call 217-782-6900 to request one by mail. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. You do not need to include a copy of your license or proof of address when you mail it — the form itself is enough.
Mail the completed form to: Secretary of State, Driver Services Department, 501 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62756. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives it. You will not receive a confirmation in the mail; the change is complete when the Secretary of State updates their records.
If you want to confirm the change went through, you can call the driver services line at 217-782-6900 after two weeks and provide your license number. They can tell you whether the address has been updated in the system.
Visiting a Secretary of State facility in person
Find your nearest facility on the Secretary of State website under "Driver Services Locations." Bring your current driver's license and one document showing your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or any government mail dated within the last 60 days with your name and new address on it.
Walk-in hours vary by location, but most facilities are open Monday through Friday during business hours. Some locations accept appointments through the website, which can reduce wait time. When you arrive, tell the staff member you need an address change. They will update your record on the spot, and the change takes effect when ready.
You will not receive a new physical license card unless you request one or your license is expiring soon. If you want a new card with your updated address printed on it, you can ask the staff member about that option when you visit — there may be a small fee.
What counts as proof of your new address
The Secretary of State accepts documents dated within the last 60 days that show both your name and your new address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common choice. Lease agreements, mortgage statements, property tax bills, and homeowners insurance documents also work. Government mail such as tax forms, voter registration cards, or court documents will work if they show your new address.
Bank statements and credit card statements are generally not accepted because they are not considered official address verification. If you are moving to a new address but have not yet received any mail there, ask the facility staff what temporary documents they can accept — some locations will work with you if you can show a signed lease or a utility company confirmation of service.
When you need to do more than just change your address
If your license is expiring within the next few months, you may want to renew it at the same time you change your address. A renewal gives you a new card with your updated address printed on it and extends your license validity. You can do both transactions together at a facility or online, though the renewal process is separate from the address change.
If your license has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to replace it rather than just change the address. A replacement is a different transaction that requires a new photo and may cost a fee. Contact the Secretary of State to find out which process applies to your situation.
If you are moving out of state, you do not need to update your Illinois address — you will eventually need to get a license in your new state instead. However, if you are moving within Illinois and keeping your Illinois license, the address change is all you need.
How long the address change takes and when it is complete
Online changes are the fastest: your address updates in the system within minutes, and you get a confirmation number when ready. In-person changes at a facility also happen on the spot — the staff member updates your record while you wait, and it is complete when you leave.
Mail-in changes take the longest. The Secretary of State typically processes mailed forms within two to three weeks of receiving them. There is no tracking system for mailed forms, so you cannot check the status online. If you need to know whether your change went through, call 217-782-6900 after two weeks with your license number.
Once your address is changed in the system, it applies to all future documents the Secretary of State issues to you. If you renew your license later, your new address will automatically print on the renewal card. Your current license card will still show your old address, but the official record is updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring my old license to change my address online?
No. The online system only needs your license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You do not need to have the physical card in front of you, though having it nearby to read the number is helpful.
What if I moved but do not have any mail or documents at my new address yet?
Call the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 and ask what temporary documents they accept. Some facilities will work with a signed lease, a utility company service confirmation letter, or a notarized statement of residency if you do not yet have official mail at the new address. Requirements can vary by location.
Will changing my address cost me anything?
No. Address changes are free whether you do them online, by mail, or in person. The only cost would be if you also request a new physical license card with your updated address printed on it, which may have a small fee depending on your situation.
Can I change my address if my license is suspended or revoked?
Yes. You can update your address even if your license is not currently valid. The Secretary of State needs to know where to reach you, especially if there are outstanding issues with your license. Change your address through any of the three methods listed above.
How do I know if my address change went through?
If you changed it online or in person, you received confirmation when ready. If you mailed the form, call 217-782-6900 after two weeks with your license number and ask the staff member to confirm the address in their system. They can tell you whether the update has been processed.