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. The fastest way is online through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website if your license is current and you have not changed your name. If you need a replacement card with your new address printed on it, you can request one by mail or visit a DPS office in person. The method you choose depends on whether you want just the address changed in the system or a physical card with the updated information.

Your address on file matters because it is where the state sends renewal notices, ticket citations, and official correspondence. Updating it quickly after you move prevents missed important date and ensures documents reach you. Texas does not have a legal important date to update your address, but doing it within 30 days of moving is a practical habit.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change through the Texas DPS website takes minutes and costs nothing if your license is valid and your name has not changed.
  • If you want a replacement card printed with your new address, you must explore by mail or in person and pay a replacement fee.
  • You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address to change it online.
  • Visiting a DPS office in person is the only option if your license is expired, suspended, or if you have changed your name.
  • Mail-in replacement requests take longer but work if you cannot visit an office and want a physical card with your new address.

Changing your address online through the DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS website and look for the "Change of Address" option under driver's license services. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address. The system will verify your identity using information on file and then update your address in the DPS database when ready.

This method is free and takes about five minutes. Your physical license card will still show your old address, but the address in the state system will be correct. Law enforcement and government agencies see the updated address when they look up your record. This works for most people whose licenses are valid and whose names have not changed.

If the online system rejects your information or you cannot remember your license number, you will need to use another method. Write down your license number before you try — it appears on the front of your card.

Getting a replacement card with your new address by mail

You can request a replacement driver's license by mail and have your new address printed on the card. read the process for a Duplicate Driver's License or Identification Card (Form DL-44) from the Texas DPS website, or pick one up at any DPS office. Fill it out completely, including your new address, and mail it with a check or money order for the replacement fee to the address listed on the form.

The replacement fee varies but is typically under $20. Processing takes four to six weeks from the date DPS receives your process. You will receive your new card by mail at your new address. During this time, your old license remains valid for driving.

This route works if you want a physical card that shows your current address or if you cannot visit a DPS office. Keep a copy of your mailed process for your records in case you need to follow up.

Changing your address in person at a DPS office

Visit any Texas DPS Driver's License office with your current driver's license and proof of your new address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail showing your name and new address. The office staff will update your address in the system on the spot.

If you want a replacement card printed with your new address, you can request one and pay the replacement fee at the same visit. You will receive the new card in the mail within two weeks. If you only want the address updated in the system without a new card, there is no fee and the change is when ready.

Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number if you have never had a Texas license before or if your name has changed. Office wait times vary by location and time of day — visiting early in the week or early in the morning usually means shorter lines.

What to do if your license is expired or suspended

You cannot change your address online if your license is expired or suspended. You must visit a DPS office in person. Bring your expired or suspended license, proof of your new address, and any documents required for renewal or reinstatement depending on why your license is not valid.

If your license is expired, you will need to renew it at the same time you change your address. If it is suspended, you will need to resolve the suspension (usually by paying a reinstatement fee or clearing a traffic hold) before you can renew or update your information. The DPS office staff can tell you what you owe and what documents you need.

Changing your address if your name has also changed

If you have changed your name since your license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you cannot use the online address change tool. You must visit a DPS office or explore by mail with a replacement process.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of your new address, and a certified copy of the document showing your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The DPS office will issue a new license with both your updated name and address. There is a replacement fee for the new card.

Using your updated address for vehicle registration and insurance

Changing your driver's license address does not automatically update your vehicle registration or insurance records. Contact your insurance company separately to update your address on your policy. You can usually do this online, by phone, or through your agent.

Your vehicle registration is tied to your address on file with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you move, you should update your registration address as well, though you do not need to do it on the same day as your license. You can renew your registration online or by mail if your address has changed, or visit a local county tax assessor's office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my address online give me a new license card?

No. The online change updates your address in the DPS system only. Your physical license card will still show your old address. If you want a card printed with your new address, you must request a replacement by mail or in person and pay the replacement fee.

How long does it take to change my address online?

The online change is when ready once you submit it. Your new address appears in the state system right away, even though your physical card still shows the old one. Law enforcement and government agencies see the updated address when they look up your record.

What counts as proof of address for an in-person change?

A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail showing your name and new address all work. The document must be recent — usually within the last 60 days — and show both your name and the address you are moving to.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

No, not online. You must visit a DPS office in person. You will need to renew your license at the same time you update your address. Bring your expired license, proof of your new address, and any other documents required for renewal.

Do I need to update my vehicle registration when I change my license address?

Your vehicle registration is separate from your driver's license. You should update your registration address with the Texas DMV as well, but you can do it at a different time. You can renew your registration online or by mail if your address has changed.