Update your address with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles by mail, online, or in person

You can change the address on your Texas vehicle registration without renewing the entire registration. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) lets you update your address through three routes: online at myDMV.texas.gov, by mail using Form VTR-130, or in person at a local DMV office. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the change recorded and whether you have access to online services.

Texas law requires you to notify the DMV of an address change within 30 days of moving. This is separate from your vehicle registration renewal — you do not need to renew your registration to update where the DMV sends your mail and records.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest route is the online address change at myDMV.texas.gov, which takes minutes and requires your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and current registration number.
  • If you do not have online access, mail Form VTR-130 to the DMV address listed on the form, along with a copy of your registration and proof of your new address.
  • In-person changes at a DMV office require your registration card, proof of residency, and a valid ID, and are processed the same day.
  • You have 30 days from your move to report the change, though updating sooner prevents mail delays and keeps your registration current.
  • An address change does not affect your registration expiration date or require you to pay any fees.

Online address change through myDMV.texas.gov

The online method is the fastest and requires no documents to be mailed or scanned. Go to myDMV.texas.gov, select "Change Address" under the registration services menu, and enter your driver's license number, VIN, and current registration number. The system will confirm your vehicle and current address, then let you enter your new address. Once submitted, the change is recorded when ready in the DMV database.

You will receive a confirmation number on screen. Write it down or take a screenshot — you do not need to print anything, but the number proves you submitted the request if you need to follow up. The DMV will mail you an updated registration card to your new address within 7 to 10 business days.

Mail-in address change using Form VTR-130

If you cannot use the online system, read or request Form VTR-130 (process for Replacement Registration Card) from the DMV website or pick one up at a local DMV office. Fill in your name, vehicle information, and new address. Include a copy of your current registration card and one document showing your new address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days works.

Mail the form and documents to the address printed on the form itself, which varies by region. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. Keep a copy of everything you send. If you are concerned about timing, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.

In-person address change at a DMV office

Walk into any Texas DMV office with your current registration card, a valid ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), and one document proving your new address. The staff will update your address on the spot, and you will leave with a temporary registration receipt. Your new registration card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

No appointment is required for an address change, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the DMV office locator on the Texas DMV website to find the nearest office and see current wait times before you go.

What counts as proof of your new address

The DMV accepts utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, property tax documents, homeowners insurance policies, or government mail (such as tax forms or voter registration cards) dated within the last 90 days. The document must show your name and the new address. A bank statement or credit card statement will not work, even if recent.

If you have just moved and do not yet have a document in your name at the new address, ask your landlord or property manager for a signed letter on their letterhead confirming your residency and move-in date. Some DMV offices will accept this in place of a utility bill while you wait for one to arrive in your name.

Address changes do not affect your registration expiration date

Updating your address does not restart your registration or change when it expires. Your registration renewal date stays the same. If your registration expires in six months, it will still expire in six months after you change your address — the address change is purely administrative.

However, if your registration is already expired or will expire within 30 days, you should renew it at the same time you change your address. You can do both online at myDMV.texas.gov or in person at a DMV office.

What happens if you miss the 30-day important date

Texas law says you must report an address change within 30 days, but there is no penalty for missing that window if you eventually report it. The DMV will not fine you or suspend your registration for a late address change. However, delaying the change means the DMV will continue mailing registration renewal notices and other documents to your old address, which can cause you to miss important important date.

If you have already moved and realize you never reported the change, report it now using any of the three methods above. The DMV will update your address when ready (online) or within a few days (by mail or in person), and future mail will go to the correct location.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. The 30-day reporting requirement applies to any address change, whether you moved across town or across the state. Report it using the same methods — online, by mail, or in person — regardless of distance.

What if I moved out of state?

If you moved to another state, you will eventually need to register your vehicle in that state. Contact the DMV in your new state to learn their registration process. You do not need to formally close your Texas registration, but you should not renew it once you have registered the vehicle elsewhere.

Can I change my address at the same time I renew my registration?

Yes. If your registration is expiring soon, you can renew and change your address together online at myDMV.texas.gov or in person at a DMV office. This is faster than doing them separately.

How long does it take to receive my new registration card after changing my address?

The DMV mails updated registration cards within 7 to 10 business days of processing your request. Online changes are processed when ready; mail-in changes take 2 to 3 weeks from receipt. In-person changes are processed the same day, and you receive a temporary receipt before you leave.

What if the DMV sends my renewal notice to my old address before I report the change?

Contact the DMV directly at 1-888-368-4689 to confirm they have your new address on file. If they have already mailed your renewal notice to the old address, ask them to mail a duplicate to your new address. You can also renew online at myDMV.texas.gov without waiting for the notice to arrive.