Where to change your address and what you need

You can change your address on your Texas driver license at any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office, online through the DPS website, or by mail. The online option is the fastest if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name. If you go in person, bring your current driver license and proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days will work.

The address change itself costs nothing. You do not need to take a new photo or pass a driving test. DPS will mail you a replacement license with your new address within 7 to 10 business days if you change it online or by mail, or you can walk out with a temporary paper license the same day if you visit an office in person.

If your license is expired or you changed your name, you cannot use the online option — you must visit a DPS office or mail in an process. The same applies if your current license was issued outside Texas or if you need to update your name, sex marker, or organ donor status at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes take about 7 to 10 business days and cost nothing, but only work if your license is current and your name has not changed.
  • In-person visits at a DPS office let you leave with a temporary paper license the same day while your replacement is mailed.
  • Proof of your new address must be dated within 90 days and can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement.
  • If your license is expired or you changed your name, you must visit an office or mail in a paper process instead of using the online system.

Changing your address online through DPS

Go to the Texas DPS website and select the driver license services section. You will need your current driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth to log in. Answer a few security questions, confirm your current address, enter your new address, and review the information before submitting.

DPS will mail your replacement license to the new address you provided. You can check the status of your replacement by logging back into the same portal with your license number. If you need to drive before the replacement arrives, you can print a temporary paper license from the portal that is valid for 45 days.

The online system works only if your license has not expired and you have not changed your name, sex marker, or other personal information. If any of those explore to you, skip to the in-person or mail options below.

Changing your address in person at a DPS office

Find your nearest DPS driver license office on the Texas DPS website. You can schedule an appointment online or walk in, though appointments are faster and available most days. Bring your current driver license and one document showing your new address dated within 90 days — a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement are all acceptable.

The office staff will verify your information, take a new photo if required, and issue you a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 45 days. Your permanent replacement license will be mailed to your new address within 7 to 10 business days. There is no fee for an address change.

In-person visits are the best option if your license is expired, you changed your name, or you want to update your sex marker or organ donor status at the same time. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have an appointment.

Changing your address by mail

read the DL-43 form from the Texas DPS website. Fill in your current license number, date of birth, and new address. Attach a photocopy of your current driver license and one document showing your new address dated within 90 days. Mail the packet to the address listed on the form.

DPS will process your request and mail your replacement license to your new address within 2 to 3 weeks of receiving your packet. You will not receive a temporary paper license by mail, so if you need to drive before the replacement arrives, use the online portal to print one instead.

The mail option works if your license is current and your name has not changed. If your license is expired or you changed your name, you will need to use the in-person option instead, as the mail process does not handle those updates.

What counts as proof of your new address

DPS accepts any document dated within 90 days that shows your name and new address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. Some offices also accept insurance statements, property tax records, or government mail addressed to you at the new address.

The document must have your name printed on it — a handwritten name does not count. If you just moved and do not have a document yet in your name at the new address, ask your landlord or utility company for a letter on their letterhead confirming your move-in date, or bring a signed lease with a recent utility bill from your old address plus a lease at the new one.

Do not bring originals of important documents like mortgage statements or bank statements — bring photocopies instead. DPS will not return them, and you may need the originals for other purposes.

Timing and what to expect after you submit

Online changes and in-person visits both result in a replacement license mailed within 7 to 10 business days. Mail-in requests take 2 to 3 weeks from the date DPS receives your packet. If you visit an office in person, you leave with a temporary paper license valid for 45 days, so you can drive legally while you wait for the permanent one.

Your replacement license will be mailed to the new address you provided, not your old one. If you are moving and want the license sent somewhere else temporarily, tell the DPS staff or note it clearly on a mail-in form — some offices can accommodate this, though it may delay processing.

If your replacement does not arrive within the expected timeframe, log into the DPS portal to check its status, or call the DPS customer service line. Keep your temporary paper license until the permanent one arrives. Once the new license comes in the mail, destroy the temporary one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my address if I move?

Texas law requires you to notify DPS of an address change within 30 days of moving. Driving with an outdated address on your license is not a criminal offense, but it can cause problems if you are pulled over or need to renew your license. It is simpler to update it right away.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

No, the online system and mail option do not work for expired licenses. You must visit a DPS office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of your new address, and proof of identity. The office will renew your license and update your address at the same time.

What if I do not have a document showing my new address yet?

Ask your landlord or utility company for a letter on their letterhead confirming your move-in date and address. You can also bring a signed lease plus a recent utility bill from your old address. Some offices accept government mail or insurance statements — call ahead to confirm what your local office takes.

Will I get a new license number when I change my address?

No, your license number stays the same. Only the address printed on the card changes. The replacement license will have the same number, expiration date, and all other information — just with your new address.

How long is the temporary paper license valid?

The temporary paper license issued at a DPS office is valid for 45 days. It is a legal driving document and works for all purposes — traffic stops, car rental, age verification — until your permanent replacement arrives or the 45 days expire, whichever comes first.