You can change your Illinois driver's license address online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility
The fastest way is online through the Illinois Secretary of State website if you have a valid email address and your current license number. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. If you cannot go online, you can mail a form to the Secretary of State or visit a driver services facility in person — both take longer but work just as well.
You do not need to renew your license to change your address. The address change is separate from renewal and does not extend your license expiration date. Your license remains valid until its printed expiration date, regardless of when you move.
Illinois requires you to notify the Secretary of State within 10 days of moving to a new address. This is a legal requirement, not optional. If you are pulled over and your license shows an old address, you may face a ticket for failing to report the change, though enforcement varies.
Key Takeaways
- The online method through the Illinois Secretary of State website is fastest and free, taking about 10 minutes if you have your license number and email.
- You must report your address change within 10 days of moving, even though your license remains valid until its expiration date.
- Mailing a form or visiting a driver services facility in person are your options if you cannot use the online system.
- Your new address will appear on your license the next time you renew, but you will receive mail at your new address when ready after the change is processed.
- You do not pay a fee to change your address, but you will pay the standard renewal fee if you renew your license before it expires.
Changing your address online through the Secretary of State website
Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and look for the "Online Services" section. Select "Change of Address" from the menu. You will need your current Illinois driver's license number, your new address, and a valid email address. The system will send a confirmation email to verify your new address before the change takes effect.
After you submit the form online, the Secretary of State processes the change within a few business days. You will not receive a new physical license card — your current card remains valid with the old address printed on it. However, the Secretary of State's records will show your new address, and you will receive mail at your new address going forward. When you renew your license at the normal expiration date, your new address will be printed on the replacement card.
If you do not receive a confirmation email within a few hours, check your spam folder or try again. If the system rejects your license number, verify that you entered it exactly as it appears on your card, including any letters or numbers after the main digits.
Mailing a change of address form to the Secretary of State
read the "Change of Address" form from the Illinois Secretary of State website or request one by calling the driver services phone line. Fill in your name, current license number, old address, and new address. Sign and date the form, then mail it to the address listed on the form — typically the Secretary of State's office in Springfield.
Processing by mail takes two to four weeks. Include a copy of a document showing your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. The Secretary of State may contact you if information is missing or unclear, which delays processing further.
Keep a copy of the form for your records. If you need to confirm the change was processed before the mail timeline is complete, call the driver services phone line with your license number and they can tell you whether the change is in the system.
Changing your address in person at a driver services facility
Visit any Secretary of State driver services facility with your current Illinois driver's license and a document showing your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and new address. The staff will update your address on the spot, and the change takes effect when ready in the system.
You do not need an appointment for an address change at most facilities, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the Secretary of State website to find the facility nearest you and see current wait times before you go. Some facilities are busier than others, so visiting early in the morning or mid-week often means shorter waits.
Bring only the documents you need — your license and one proof of address. You do not need to bring your vehicle registration, insurance card, or other documents for an address change alone.
What happens after you report your address change
The Secretary of State updates its records within a few business days of your change, whether you submitted it online, by mail, or in person. Your current license card will still show your old address because the physical card does not change. You will keep using that same card until it expires.
The Secretary of State will mail renewal notices and other correspondence to your new address once the change is processed. If you move again before your license expires, you can report the new address the same way — there is no limit to how many times you can change your address.
If you are stopped by police and your license shows an old address, explain that you have reported the change to the Secretary of State. The officer can verify the current address in the system. Having proof that you reported the change — such as a confirmation email from the online system or a copy of the mailed form — helps, though it is not required.
Combining an address change with license renewal
If your license is expiring soon, you can renew it and change your address at the same time. When you renew online, by mail, or in person, you will be asked for your current address. Enter your new address on the renewal form, and your replacement license will be printed with the new address.
Renewing early to update your address is optional — you can change your address now and renew later when your license actually expires. However, if you are within a few months of expiration, combining both tasks in one transaction may save you time. The renewal fee applies only when you renew, not when you change your address alone.
What to do if you moved out of state or to a US territory
If you moved out of Illinois, you should get a driver's license from your new state rather than keeping your Illinois license. Most states require you to obtain a local license within 30 days of establishing residency. You can keep your Illinois license as a second ID if you wish, but you cannot use it as your primary driving license in another state.
If you moved to a US territory such as Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, or Guam, the same rule applies — you need a license from that territory. Contact the motor vehicle agency in your new location for their requirements.
If you are temporarily out of state but still an Illinois resident — for example, you are stationed at a military base or attending school — you can report your temporary address to the Secretary of State using the same change of address process. When you move back to Illinois, report your permanent Illinois address again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get a new license card when I change my address?
No. Your current license card remains valid and you keep using it. The card will still show your old address, but the Secretary of State's records will show your new address. You will receive a new card with your new address printed on it only when you renew your license at its expiration date.
What if I move before I receive my renewal notice?
Report your new address to the Secretary of State as soon as you move. The renewal notice will be mailed to your new address once the change is processed. If you do not receive a renewal notice within a month of your license expiration date, contact the driver services phone line to confirm your address is correct in the system.
Can I change my address if my license is suspended or revoked?
Yes. You can still report an address change even if your license is suspended or revoked. The address change is separate from the suspension or revocation status. However, you cannot renew your license until the suspension or revocation is lifted.
How long does it take to change my address online?
The online form takes about 10 minutes to complete. The Secretary of State processes the change within a few business days. You will receive a confirmation email, and the change will be in the system by the time you receive it.
What if I do not have a document showing my new address?
You will need one to change your address in person. Acceptable documents include utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, or government mail. If you do not have any of these yet, wait until you do before visiting a driver services facility. The online and mail methods may have different requirements — contact the driver services phone line to ask.