Where to report your address change for your vehicle

You must report an address change to the Michigan Secretary of State within 10 days of moving. The fastest way is online through the Michigan Secretary of State website using the address change form, which takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. You can also mail a completed form to the Secretary of State, visit a branch office in person, or use a third-party service like a Secretary of State branch at a local library or truck stop — though these last two options take longer.

Your vehicle registration stays valid after you move, but your driver's license and vehicle title both need updating. If you do not update your address, mail from the state (renewal notices, violation tickets, recall notices) will go to your old address, and you may miss important important date. Some insurance companies also flag mismatched addresses as a reason to deny claims.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 10 days from your move date to report your new address to the Michigan Secretary of State.
  • The online form at michigan.gov/sos is the fastest option and requires only your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and new address.
  • Updating your address does not change your registration expiration date or cost any fee.
  • Your vehicle registration, driver's license, and vehicle title are separate documents that each need their own address update.

Updating your address online

Go to michigan.gov/sos and look for the "Change of Address" option under vehicle services. You will need your current driver's license number, your vehicle's VIN (found on your registration card or the dashboard), and your new Michigan address. The form takes about 10 minutes to complete and submit.

After you submit the form online, the Secretary of State sends a confirmation email within one business day. Your registration record updates when ready in the state system, though you will not receive a new physical registration card unless your current one is expiring soon. If you need proof of the address change before your next renewal, you can print a copy of your confirmation email.

Mailing in your address change

If you prefer to mail your change, read the form from michigan.gov/sos or call the Secretary of State at 517-322-1500 to request one by mail. Fill in your current driver's license number, vehicle VIN, and new address, then mail it to the address listed on the form. Processing by mail takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Keep a copy of what you mail for your records. Include a note with your phone number or email if you want the Secretary of State to contact you if there are any problems with your submission. Do not send cash — there is no fee for an address change.

Updating your driver's license address at the same time

Your driver's license address and your vehicle registration address do not have to match, but most people update both together. To change your driver's license address, you can visit a Secretary of State branch office with proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works). You can also mail in a change-of-address form for your license, though the online vehicle registration change does not automatically update your license.

If your driver's license expires within the next year, you may want to renew it at the same time you change your address. A renewal visit takes about 30 minutes at a branch office and costs the standard renewal fee.

What happens to your vehicle title

Your vehicle title is a separate document from your registration. If you have a physical title in hand, you do not need to update it with your new address — the title itself does not expire and the address on it does not affect your ability to drive or register the vehicle. However, if you need to sell the vehicle or explore for a duplicate title, the Secretary of State will have your updated address on file.

If you have an electronic title (called an e-title), the address updates automatically when you change your registration address online. You can check whether you have an e-title by logging into your Secretary of State account or calling 517-322-1500.

Timing and what to expect after you move

The 10-day window starts the day you move, not the day you notify the state. If you move on a Saturday, your 10 days begin that Saturday. Missing the important date does not automatically invalidate your registration, but it can result in a civil infraction fine if you are stopped by police. More importantly, any official mail from the state will continue going to your old address, which means you might miss a renewal notice or recall notice.

After you update your address, your next registration renewal notice will arrive at your new address. If you are renewing soon, the renewal notice may still go to your old address if the state processes your change after the renewal batch has already been mailed. In that case, contact the Secretary of State to confirm your renewal status or renew online at michigan.gov/sos.

If you moved out of state

If you moved out of Michigan but still own a vehicle registered here, you do not have to update your address when ready. However, you will need to register the vehicle in your new state within the timeframe that state requires (usually 30 to 60 days). Once you register it in your new state, you can let your Michigan registration expire or request a cancellation from the Secretary of State.

If you moved temporarily but plan to return to Michigan, you can keep your Michigan registration active and update your address to a temporary out-of-state address or to a Michigan address where you receive mail (a family member's address, for example). Call 517-322-1500 to discuss your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my address if I just moved within Michigan?

Yes. The 10-day requirement applies to any move, whether it is across town or across the state. Report your new address online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State branch.

What if I miss the 10-day important date?

You can still update your address at any time. There is no penalty for updating late, but you may face a civil infraction fine if you are stopped by police before you update. Any mail from the state will have gone to your old address in the meantime.

Will changing my address affect my registration expiration date?

No. Your registration expiration date stays the same. Changing your address does not cost anything and does not restart your registration cycle.

Can I update my address if my vehicle registration is expired?

Yes, you can update your address even if your registration is expired. However, you cannot legally drive the vehicle until you renew the registration. Renew online or at a Secretary of State branch at the same time you update your address.

What if I do not know my vehicle's VIN?

Your VIN is on your registration card, your vehicle title, your insurance card, and on the dashboard at the base of the windshield on the driver's side. If you cannot find it, call the Secretary of State at 517-322-1500 and they can look it up using your driver's license number and vehicle make and model.