Where to change your Georgia driver's license address
You can change your address with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) in three ways: online through the DDS website, in person at a DDS office, or by mail. The online method is fastest if your address change is routine — no name change, no corrections to other information. In-person visits work if you need to update multiple details at once or prefer to handle it face-to-face. Mail is slowest but works if you cannot reach an office.
The online option requires you to log into your DDS account on the Georgia DDS website, verify your identity, and submit the new address. You will receive a confirmation email, and your updated license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. This method costs nothing.
For in-person visits, find your nearest DDS office using the office locator on the Georgia DDS website. Bring your current driver's license and proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days all work. There is no fee for an address change. Processing takes a few minutes, and you walk out with a temporary paper license valid until your new plastic card arrives in the mail.
Key Takeaways
- Online address changes through the Georgia DDS website are free and take 7 to 10 business days, and require only your current license and identity verification.
- In-person visits at a DDS office require proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or recent government mail) and result in a temporary paper license on the spot.
- You must update your address within a reasonable time after moving; Georgia law does not specify an exact important date, but delaying creates problems with traffic stops and vehicle registration.
- Mail-in address changes are possible but slow — send a signed letter with your license number, old address, new address, and proof of residence to the DDS address on their website.
- Address changes do not require a new photo, eye test, or written exam unless your license is expiring soon or you are renewing for other reasons.
What proof of address Georgia DDS accepts
Georgia DDS accepts a narrow list of documents as proof of your new address. The document must show your name and new address, and it must be dated within the last 60 days. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, property tax bill, or government mail (tax return, voter registration card, or court document) all work.
Bank statements, credit card statements, and insurance documents do not count, even if they show your name and address. If you are moving into a home you own but have not yet received a mortgage statement or property tax bill, a signed letter from the seller or title company stating your new address can substitute, though calling your local DDS office first to confirm they will accept it is wise.
If you are moving into a shared residence and the utility bill or lease is in someone else's name, bring that document plus a signed letter from the person whose name appears on it, stating that you live there. This is slower to process than a standard proof-of-address document, so plan for an extra week if you go this route.
Online versus in-person: which is faster
Online is faster for a straightforward address change with no other updates needed. You submit the change, receive confirmation within hours, and the new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. The entire process happens without leaving home.
In-person is faster if you need to change your address and also correct other information on your license — a misspelled name, wrong height, or outdated eye color. At an office, a DDS employee can review everything at once and catch errors you might miss online. You also walk out with a temporary paper license valid when ready, so if you need to prove your address to a landlord or employer before the plastic card arrives, you have it. The trade-off is the time spent driving to an office and waiting in line, which varies by location and time of day.
If you are moving out of state or your license is expiring within the next 60 days, handle the address change in person. Out-of-state moves sometimes trigger additional verification steps that are easier to complete face-to-face, and renewing your license at the same time saves a second trip later.
Timeline for receiving your updated license
After you submit an address change online or in person, Georgia DDS mails your new license to the address you provided. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date DDS processes your request. If you submitted online, processing happens within 24 hours. If you went in person, processing is when ready.
Mail delays can add 2 to 5 days depending on your location and postal service volume. If your new license does not arrive within 12 business days, contact the DDS customer service line or visit an office with your temporary paper license (if you received one in person) or your old license and proof of the address change submission.
Do not rely on your old license with the outdated address for official purposes while you wait for the new one. If you are pulled over by police or need to show ID to a government agency, the address mismatch can create confusion. The temporary paper license issued in person is valid for this reason — it shows the new address and is recognized by law enforcement.
What happens if you do not update your address
Georgia law does not set a specific important date for updating your driver's license address after you move, but delaying creates practical problems. If you are pulled over, an officer will see your old address and may question whether you still live in Georgia or have moved out of state. This can lead to longer traffic stops while the officer verifies your current status.
Vehicle registration is tied to your driver's license address. If your registration and license address do not match, renewal notices go to the old address and you may miss important date. Insurance companies also use your license address to verify coverage, and a mismatch can complicate claims.
More importantly, if you are involved in an accident or cited for a traffic violation, the ticket or accident report will reference your license address. If that address is wrong, legal documents may be mailed to a place you no longer live, and you could miss court dates or settlement important date without knowing.
Changing your address if your license is expiring soon
If your Georgia driver's license expires within 60 days of your move, update your address and renew your license at the same time. You can do this online if you are renewing a standard license and have not had a major change (name change, gender marker change, or medical condition affecting driving). If you need a new photo or have other updates, go in person.
Renewing and changing your address together costs the standard renewal fee — currently $32 for an eight-year license for drivers 21 and older, though this amount changes periodically. You will receive one new license with both the updated address and the new expiration date. This is more efficient than changing the address now and renewing separately later.
If your license is expiring within 30 days, handle this in person at a DDS office. Online renewals can take longer to process, and you risk your license expiring before the new one arrives. An in-person visit guarantees you walk out with a temporary paper license valid until the plastic card arrives.
Changing your address after a name change
If you changed your name and your address at the same time — through marriage, divorce, or legal petition — you must update your license in person. DDS cannot process a name change online. Bring your current driver's license, a certified copy of the document showing the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of your new address.
Processing takes longer for a name change because DDS staff must verify the legal document and update multiple records. Plan for 15 to 20 minutes in the office, and the new license will arrive in 10 to 14 business days instead of the standard 7 to 10. The fee is the same as a standard address change — free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address online if I moved out of state?
No. If you moved out of Georgia, you must surrender your Georgia license and obtain a license from your new state. Visit a Georgia DDS office with your current license and proof of your out-of-state address, and they will cancel it. You cannot straightforward update the address online.
What if I do not have a utility bill or lease as proof of address?
A mortgage statement, property tax bill, or government mail (voter registration, tax return, court document) dated within the last 60 days works. If you have none of these, a signed letter from your landlord or the property owner stating you live there, paired with their ID, can substitute — call your local DDS office first to confirm they will accept it.
Do I need a new photo when I change my address?
No. An address change does not require a new photo. You keep the photo from your current license. A new photo is only required when you renew your license or if you are making changes to your name, gender marker, or medical information.
How long is the temporary paper license valid?
The temporary paper license issued in person is valid until your new plastic license arrives in the mail, typically 7 to 10 business days. After that, it is no longer valid. Once your new license arrives, destroy the temporary one.
What if my new license arrives with the wrong address?
Contact the Georgia DDS customer service line or visit an office with your new license and proof of the correct address. DDS will issue a corrected license at no charge. This usually takes 7 to 10 business days.