Where to report your address change and what documents you need

You must report an address change to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) within a reasonable time after you move. The fastest way is online through the NJMVC website if you have a valid New Jersey driver's license or non-driver ID — you can update your vehicle registration address without visiting an office or mailing anything. If you do not have internet access or prefer to handle it in person, you can visit any NJMVC office with your current vehicle registration card and proof of your new address.

The NJMVC does not charge a fee to change your address on an existing registration. You will need either your vehicle identification number (VIN) and driver's license number to start an online change, or your registration card and a document showing your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works) if you go to an office in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your vehicle registration address online through the NJMVC website using your driver's license number and VIN, with no office visit required.
  • If you visit an NJMVC office, bring your current registration card and a recent document (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement) showing your new address.
  • There is no fee to update your address on an existing registration.
  • Your registration card will remain valid at your old address until it expires — you do not receive a new card with the updated address unless you renew your registration.
  • If you move out of state, you must surrender your New Jersey registration and obtain a registration in your new state.

Changing your address online through the NJMVC website

Go to the NJMVC website and select the option to change your vehicle registration address. You will need your New Jersey driver's license or non-driver ID number, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and your current registration card number. The system will ask you to enter your new address and confirm the vehicle information.

The online process takes about 10 minutes. Once you submit, the NJMVC updates your record when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email. Your registration remains valid at your old address until it expires — the NJMVC does not mail you a new card with the updated address unless you renew your registration at the same time.

Changing your address in person at an NJMVC office

Visit any NJMVC regional office with your current vehicle registration card and a document showing your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within the last 60 days. Bring a valid photo ID as well.

Wait times at NJMVC offices vary by location and time of day. You can check current wait times on the NJMVC website before you go. The office staff will update your address in the system while you wait, and you will leave with confirmation that the change has been processed. Like the online method, you will not receive a new registration card unless you renew your registration.

What happens to your registration card after you move

Your registration card does not automatically update with your new address. The card you have remains valid even though the address printed on it is outdated. The NJMVC's records will show your current address, but the physical card in your vehicle will still display your old address.

You will receive a new registration card with your updated address only when you renew your registration. In New Jersey, vehicle registrations renew every four years. If your registration is not due for renewal for another two years, you will not see the address change reflected on a card until then. You can request an updated registration card by mail if you need one sooner, though this involves a separate request and a small fee.

Changing your address if you moved out of state

If you have moved to another state, you cannot straightforward update your address with the NJMVC. You must surrender your New Jersey registration and obtain a new registration in your new state. Each state has its own registration process and requirements, so contact your new state's motor vehicle agency for instructions.

Before you surrender your New Jersey registration, make sure you have completed any outstanding inspections or emissions testing required by New Jersey. Some states will not register a vehicle that does not have a current inspection from its previous state. You will also need your title document and proof of residency in your new state.

If your registration renewal notice goes to your old address

If you change your address after your renewal notice has already been mailed, it may arrive at your old address. You can still renew online through the NJMVC website without the notice — you only need your driver's license number, VIN, and registration card number. Alternatively, contact the NJMVC directly to request that a new notice be mailed to your current address.

Do not ignore a renewal notice that arrives at your old address. If your registration expires and you do not renew, you cannot legally drive the vehicle in New Jersey. If you have moved and are not sure whether a renewal notice is coming, check the NJMVC website about 30 days before your registration expiration date to see if you are may be able to access to renew.

Updating your address on your driver's license at the same time

Your vehicle registration address and your driver's license address do not have to match, but it is simpler if they do. If you have already changed your driver's license address, your vehicle registration address will still be separate until you update it. You can change both at the same time by visiting an NJMVC office, or you can update your registration online and your driver's license separately.

To change your driver's license address, you can do it online through the NJMVC website if you have a valid license, or in person at any NJMVC office. There is no fee for either change. If you are renewing your registration and your driver's license at the same time, you can handle both transactions together at an office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my registration address if I move within New Jersey?

Yes. You must report your new address to the NJMVC within a reasonable time after moving. There is no specific important date stated in the law, but waiting several months could cause problems if you are stopped by police or if your registration renewal notice is mailed to an address where you no longer receive mail.

What if I do not have a recent utility bill or lease to prove my new address?

A mortgage statement, property tax bill, bank statement, or government-issued mail showing your name and new address will work. If you have just moved and do not yet have any documents in your name at the new address, ask the NJMVC office what alternatives they accept — some offices may allow a signed lease or a letter from your landlord.

Can I change my address by phone or mail?

The NJMVC does not process address changes by phone. You can change your address online or in person at an office. Some offices may accept a mailed request, but this is slower and less reliable than the online option or a visit.

Will I get a new registration card with my new address right away?

No. Your registration card will continue to show your old address until you renew your registration. The NJMVC's records will be updated, but the physical card does not change. You will receive a new card with your updated address when your registration renews in four years, or you can request an updated card by mail for a fee.

What if I change my address but then move again before my registration renews?

You can change your address as many times as you need to. Each time you update it, the NJMVC records your current address. There is no limit to how many times you can make this change, and there is no fee.