You can change your Minnesota driver's license address online through the state's Secretary of State website, but only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address more than once in the past year

Minnesota allows you to update your address without visiting a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office, as long as you meet a few conditions. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $6.50. Your new address will appear on your license when ready for purposes like voting and vehicle registration, though the physical card in your wallet will still show the old address until it expires or you renew it.

If your license is expired, if you have already changed your address once in the past 12 months, or if you need to change your name or other information besides address, you must visit a DVS office in person or mail in a form. The online option exists specifically for straightforward address changes on valid licenses.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change works only if your Minnesota driver's license is currently valid and you have not changed your address in the past 12 months.
  • You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method to complete the online change.
  • The $6.50 fee is charged when ready when you submit the form through the Secretary of State website.
  • Your new address takes effect right away for official records, but your physical license card will still display the old address until you renew or replace it.
  • If you cannot use the online method, you can mail Form DL-44 to a DVS office or visit in person to update your address.

Step-by-step process for changing your address online

Start by going to the Minnesota Secretary of State website and finding the Driver and Vehicle Services section. Look for the link labeled "Change Address Online" — it is usually under the "Online Services" or "License Services" menu. You will be taken to a find form that asks for your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address.

Enter your information exactly as it appears on your license. If your name has spaces, hyphens, or special characters, match them precisely. Type your new address in the fields provided — street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Double-check everything before moving to the payment step, because you cannot edit the form after you submit it.

When you reach the payment page, you will see the $6.50 fee. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or electronic check. After payment processes, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Save this number — it proves you submitted the change if you ever need to dispute it.

When you cannot use the online method

If your license has expired, the online system will reject your request. You must renew your license in person at a DVS office or by mail before you can change your address online. If you have already changed your address once in the past 12 months, the system will also block the online change, and you will need to use the mail or in-person route.

If you need to change your name, correct your date of birth, update your sex designation, or change any information besides your street address, you cannot use the online form. These changes require you to visit a DVS office with supporting documents like a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order. The online system handles address-only changes.

What happens after you submit the change

Your new address is recorded in the state system when ready. Within one business day, you should see the change reflected in your voter registration, vehicle registration, and any other state records tied to your driver's license. You do not need to do anything else — the change is complete.

Your physical driver's license card will continue to show your old address until your license expires or you renew it. This is normal and does not cause problems. Police, banks, and other organizations will see your current address in the state system when they look up your license. If you need the new address printed on your card right away, you can visit a DVS office and request a replacement card for a fee, but most people straightforward wait until their regular renewal.

Visiting a DVS office or mailing a form instead

If the online method is not available to you, you have two alternatives. The fastest is to visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person with your current driver's license and proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the past 60 days works. Bring your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number. The office will process the change on the spot, and you can request a replacement card if you want the new address printed when ready.

The mail option requires you to read or request Form DL-44 (process for Minnesota Driver's License or Identification Card) from the Secretary of State website. Fill in the address change section, sign it, and mail it with a copy of your proof of address to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks. You do not need to include payment — address changes by mail are free, unlike the $6.50 online fee.

Documents you need for in-person or mail changes

For any address change at a DVS office or by mail, you need proof that you live at the new address. The state accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement — any document with your name and new address dated within the past 60 days. A cell phone bill or credit card statement also works if it shows your address.

You will also need to bring or include your current driver's license and proof of your Social Security number. Your Social Security card itself is the easiest proof, but a W-2, tax return, or benefits statement with your full Social Security number also works. If you are mailing the form, include copies of these documents, not originals.

Common reasons the online change gets rejected

The most common reason is that your license is expired. Check your license expiration date before you start. Minnesota driver's licenses are valid for eight years, so if you have not renewed in that time, you will need to renew first. You can renew online if you are under 65 and your license is not more than one year expired, or you can visit a DVS office.

Another frequent issue is entering your information incorrectly. Your driver's license number and Social Security number must match exactly what the state has on file. If you have changed your name since you got your license but have not updated it yet, the system will not recognize you. Spaces, hyphens, and middle initials all matter — if your license says "Mary-Jane" and you type "Maryjane", the form will fail.

If you have changed your address more than once in the past year, the system will block the online change as a fraud prevention measure. This is a state rule, not a technical glitch. You will need to mail the form or visit an office instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my new address to show up in the system?

Your address is updated in the state system when ready after you submit the online form and payment processes. Within one business day, the change appears in voter registration, vehicle registration, and other state databases. Your physical license card will still show the old address until you renew or replace it, but officials checking the state system will see your current address.

Do I have to pay the $6.50 fee if I change my address by mail?

No. Address changes submitted by mail using Form DL-44 are free. You only pay the $6.50 fee if you use the online method. If cost is a concern, mailing the form takes longer (two to three weeks) but saves the fee.

Can I change my address if I just moved and do not have a utility bill yet?

Yes, but you will need to visit a DVS office or mail the form — you cannot use the online method because it does not ask for proof of address. For in-person or mail changes, you can use a lease agreement, mortgage statement, or even a signed letter from your landlord on their letterhead stating your new address and move-in date. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the past 60 days.

What if I made a mistake when I submitted my address change online?

You cannot edit or cancel an online submission after it processes. If you entered the wrong address, visit a DVS office with your license and proof of your correct address, and they will submit a correction. There is no additional fee for this correction. Bring your confirmation number from the online submission so the office can locate your record quickly.

Will changing my address online affect my vehicle registration?

Your vehicle registration will automatically update to match your new driver's license address within one business day. You do not need to contact the Department of Public Safety or do anything separately. If you have multiple vehicles registered in your name, all of them will update at the same time.