You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office

Texas lets you update your driver's license address without getting a new card — you report the change to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and they mail you a corrected license with your new address printed on it. The fastest route is online through the DPS website if your license is current and you have a valid email. If your license is expired or you prefer not to use the online system, you can mail a form or visit a DPS office in person. The entire process takes about two weeks by mail or online, or same-day if you go to an office.

You do not need to bring your old license or pay a fee for the address change itself. DPS will mail the new card to your new address, so make sure that address is correct before you submit. If you move again before the card arrives, you can update it a second time, but each change means waiting for another card in the mail.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method through the DPS website is fastest if your license is current and you have email access.
  • By mail, you fill out Form DL-43 and send it with a proof of residency document to the DPS address listed on the form.
  • At a DPS office, bring your current license and a proof of residency, and you will get a temporary paper license on the spot.
  • DPS mails the new card to your new address, so the address you provide must be where you can receive mail.
  • There is no fee for an address change, but if you need the card faster than mail delivery, you must visit an office in person.

Changing your address online through the DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS website and look for the "Online Services" section. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to create or log into a DPS account. Once you are in, select the option to change your address and enter your new address exactly as you want it to appear on your license.

After you submit, DPS will send a confirmation email to the address you provided during account setup. Your new license will be mailed to the new address you entered within about two weeks. You can continue using your current license until the new one arrives. This method works only if your license is not expired and you have a valid email address.

Mailing a form to update your address

read or request Form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License or Identification Card) from the DPS website or any DPS office. You only need to fill in the sections about your new address — you do not have to complete the entire form. Include one document that proves you live at your new address. DPS accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days. The name on the proof document should match the name on your license.

Mail the completed form and proof of residency to the DPS address listed on the form itself. Processing takes about two weeks from the date DPS receives your envelope. There is no fee. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided. Keep your current license until the new one arrives, since there is no temporary card issued by mail.

Updating your address at a DPS office in person

Bring your current driver's license and one proof of residency document to any DPS office. The proof must be dated within the last 90 days and show your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. Tell the clerk you need to change your address. They will verify your information, print a temporary paper license on the spot, and mail your new permanent license to your new address within two weeks.

The temporary paper license is valid for driving and identification purposes while you wait for the permanent card. You do not need an appointment at most DPS offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the DPS office locator on their website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times if available.

What counts as proof of residency

DPS requires a document dated within the last 90 days that shows your name and new address. Acceptable documents include a current utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a signed lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, an insurance policy, or a government check. The document must be an original or certified copy — a photo or printout may not be accepted at an office, though mailed forms are sometimes more flexible.

If you do not have a document in your name at your new address yet (for example, if you just moved and utilities are still in someone else's name), ask the DPS office what alternative documents they will accept. Some offices will work with a notarized letter from your landlord or a utility bill showing the address even if the name does not match exactly, but policies vary by office.

Timeline and what to expect after you submit

Online and mail submissions take about two weeks for DPS to process and mail your new license. If you visit an office in person, you get a temporary paper license when ready and the permanent card arrives by mail within two weeks. During this time, both the temporary paper license and your old license are valid for driving and identification.

Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided, so make sure it is correct before you submit. If you move again before the card arrives, you can submit another address change, but you will wait another two weeks for the updated card. If your mail is forwarded through the postal service, the card should follow your forwarding order, but it is safer to wait until you have settled at your final address before changing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to get a new license photo when I change my address?

No. An address change does not require a new photo. DPS prints your existing photo on the new card with the updated address. You only need a new photo if your license is expiring soon or if you choose to renew it for other reasons.

What if I move before my new license arrives in the mail?

You can submit another address change and DPS will mail a second updated license to your new address. This means waiting another two weeks. If you know you are moving again soon, it may be worth waiting until you are settled before reporting the first change.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

No, you cannot use the online method if your license is expired. You must mail Form DL-43 or visit a DPS office in person. At an office, they can update your address and renew your license at the same time, though renewal has a separate fee.

Is there a fee for changing my address?

No. Changing your address is free. You only pay a fee if you are also renewing your license or getting a new photo. An address-only change has no cost.

What if the name on my proof of residency does not match my license exactly?

If the difference is minor (a middle initial, a nickname versus full name), most DPS offices will accept it. If the names are significantly different, bring an additional document that shows both names, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Call the DPS office before you visit to ask what they will accept.