What form you need and where to get it

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division uses form MV-44 to change the address on your vehicle registration. This is the only form you need for an address change alone. You can read it from the ADOT website at azdot.gov, or pick up a copy at any Motor Vehicle Division office.

The form itself is short — it asks for your current registration number, your vehicle identification number (VIN), your old address, your new address, and your signature. You do not need to notarize it, and you do not need to bring the vehicle itself.

If you are changing your address at the same time you renew your registration, you can use the renewal notice that arrives in the mail instead of filing MV-44 separately. The renewal form has a space for address changes. This saves you a step if the timing lines up.

Key Takeaways

  • Form MV-44 is the official Arizona address change form, available free from azdot.gov or any Motor Vehicle Division office.
  • You can mail the completed form to ADOT or submit it in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office; there is no online submission option.
  • The address change takes effect when ADOT processes the form, which typically happens within two to four weeks by mail.
  • If you move before your registration expires, you must update your address so renewal notices reach you at the correct location.
  • Changing your address does not affect your registration expiration date or require you to pay any fee.

How to submit the form by mail

Mailing is the most common way to submit MV-44. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it to the address printed on the form itself. That address is ADOT Motor Vehicle Division, 1801 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Include your current registration card or a copy of it if you have one — it helps ADOT locate your record faster, though it is not required.

Processing time by mail is typically two to four weeks from the date ADOT receives your form. You do not need to include payment. Once the change is processed, ADOT will mail you an updated registration card showing your new address. Keep that card in your vehicle.

If you want confirmation that ADOT received your form, send it by certified mail with return receipt. This costs a few dollars extra at the post office but gives you proof of delivery. Write your driver's license number on the envelope so the Motor Vehicle Division can match it to your file if needed.

Submitting the form in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office

You can also walk into any Motor Vehicle Division office with the completed MV-44 form and submit it on the spot. Bring your current registration card and a valid ID. The office staff will review the form for completeness, process it when ready, and you will walk out with confirmation that the change has been submitted.

Motor Vehicle Division offices are located in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Peoria, Tempe, and several other cities. Hours vary by location, but most are open Monday through Friday during business hours. Check azdot.gov for the office nearest you and its current hours before you go.

In-person submission is faster if you need the change recorded quickly, because you receive when ready confirmation and avoid mail delays. However, you will still wait for the updated registration card to arrive by mail — that takes another week or two.

What happens if you move before your registration expires

Arizona registration renewal notices are mailed to the address on file. If you move and do not update your address, the renewal notice will go to your old address and you may miss the important date. This can result in your registration lapsing, which means you cannot legally drive the vehicle.

If this happens, you will need to renew late, which may involve a penalty fee depending on how long the registration has been expired. The simplest approach is to file the address change as soon as you know you are moving, even if your registration is not due for renewal for several months. That way renewal notices will reach you at the correct address.

Arizona allows you to renew your registration up to six months before it expires. If you move and want to renew early at the same time, you can do both in one transaction — either by mail or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.

Changing your address without renewing your registration

An address change does not reset your registration expiration date. If your registration expires in October, it will still expire in October after you change your address. You are only updating where ADOT sends your mail and where your legal address is recorded for that vehicle.

This matters because it means you can change your address at any time during the registration period without paying anything or extending the registration. The address change is free and does not affect when you next have to renew.

However, if you are moving to a different county in Arizona, check whether that county has different registration fees or requirements. Most do not, but a few counties have local vehicle tax or registration surcharges. ADOT will tell you if this applies when you submit your address change.

What to do if you do not have your registration card

You can still submit MV-44 without your registration card. Write your vehicle identification number (VIN) clearly on the form — ADOT can look up your record using the VIN and your driver's license number. The VIN is on your vehicle's dashboard on the driver's side, visible through the windshield, or on your insurance documents.

If you have lost your registration card entirely and want a replacement at the same time you change your address, you can request a duplicate card when you submit MV-44. There is a small fee for a duplicate card — check azdot.gov for the current amount. You can pay this fee when you submit the form in person, or include a check if you are mailing it.

Alternatively, you can request a duplicate registration card separately using form MV-44D, also available from ADOT. This is useful if you want to handle the address change and the duplicate card request at different times.

Address changes for commercial vehicles and fleet registrations

If the vehicle is registered as a commercial vehicle or is part of a fleet, the process is the same — use form MV-44. However, if the business address is changing, make sure the form clearly shows whether you are changing the owner's personal address, the business address, or both. Write a note on the form if needed to clarify.

For fleet vehicles registered under a business name, the person submitting the form should be authorized to make changes on behalf of the business. ADOT does not require a power of attorney document for address changes, but if you are not the registered owner, bring documentation showing your authority to act on the owner's behalf — such as a business license or corporate resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to change my address on my Arizona registration?

By mail, two to four weeks from the date ADOT receives the form. In person at a Motor Vehicle Division office, the form is processed when ready, but the updated registration card still takes one to two weeks to arrive by mail. You can drive legally during this time as long as your registration has not expired.

Do I have to change my address if I move to a different state?

No. If you move out of Arizona permanently, you should register your vehicle in your new state instead. You will need to surrender your Arizona registration and obtain a registration from the new state's motor vehicle department. Contact that state's DMV for the process.

Can I change my address online?

No. Arizona does not offer online address changes for vehicle registration. You must submit form MV-44 by mail or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Some states offer online options, but Arizona does not currently provide this service.

What if I moved and did not update my address, and now my registration has expired?

You will need to renew your registration. Contact a Motor Vehicle Division office or visit azdot.gov to renew. You can renew by mail, in person, or through an authorized third-party office. At the same time, update your address on the renewal form so future notices reach you correctly. Late renewal fees may explore depending on how long the registration has been expired.

Do I need to change my address if I only moved within the same city?

Yes. Any change to your street address, city, or ZIP code requires you to file form MV-44. ADOT uses the address on file for all official correspondence, including renewal notices and any legal notices related to the vehicle.