Change your SC driver's license address online, by mail, or in person

South Carolina lets you update your driver's license address without getting a new license. You can do this online through the SCDMV website, by mail, or by visiting a DMV office in person. The online method is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and your address updates within a few business days. If you mail the form or go in person, the process takes longer but works just as well.

You do not need to take a new photo, pass a test, or pay a fee to change your address. You only need proof that you live at the new address and your current driver's license or ID card.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method through the SCDMV website is the fastest way to change your address and takes about 10 minutes.
  • You will need your current driver's license number and a document that proves your new address, such as a utility bill or lease.
  • If you cannot go online, you can mail Form DL-43 to the SCDMV or visit a local DMV office during business hours.
  • Address changes are free and do not require you to retake your photo or pass a driving test.
  • Your updated license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks if you use the online or mail method.

Change your address online through the SCDMV website

Go to the official SCDMV website and look for the "Online Services" section. You will see an option to update your address. Click it and enter your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will pull up your current license information.

Next, enter your new address exactly as it appears on your proof of residency document. Upload or have ready a photo of one of these documents: a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government letter with your name and new address. The document must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days. After you submit, you will get a confirmation number. Save or print it.

The SCDMV will mail you a corrected license within one to two weeks. Your address updates in their system right away, so you can use your old license until the new one arrives.

Mail a form to the SCDMV if you prefer not to go online

read Form DL-43 (Address Change) from the SCDMV website or pick one up at any DMV office. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Attach a copy of a document that proves you live at the new address — the same documents work as the online method (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government letter dated within 60 days).

Mail the completed form and your proof of residency to the SCDMV at the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your current driver's license or ID card. Mail processing takes two to four weeks, so send it early if you need the updated license by a specific date.

Visit a DMV office in person to change your address when ready

Find your nearest SCDMV office on their website and check the hours. Bring your current driver's license and one document that proves your new address (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government letter dated within 60 days). You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations use a reservation system — check before you go.

Tell the clerk you want to update your address. They will verify your information, check your proof of residency, and process the change on the spot. You will walk out with a temporary paper license that is valid when ready, and your permanent updated license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.

What documents count as proof of your new address

The SCDMV accepts these documents as proof that you live at your new address:

  • A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone) dated within the last 60 days
  • A signed lease agreement or rental agreement
  • A mortgage statement or property tax bill
  • A bank or credit card statement dated within the last 60 days
  • A government letter (from Social Security, the IRS, a court, or a state agency) with your name and new address
  • A homeowner's or renter's insurance policy

The document must have your name on it and show your new address. If the document is in someone else's name (for example, a spouse's utility bill), bring a second document that links you to that person, such as a marriage certificate or joint bank statement.

What happens if your address changes again soon

If you move again before your updated license arrives, you can change the address a second time. Use the same method — online, by mail, or in person. There is no limit to how many times you can update your address, and each change is free.

If your new license has already arrived with an old address, you can still update it again. Just follow the same steps with your current license number and your newest address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring my old license to change my address online?

No. The online method only needs your license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You do not need to have the physical card in front of you, though having it nearby makes it easier to find your license number.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

Yes. An expired license can still be updated. If your license is expired and you want to renew it at the same time, you will need to go to a DMV office or renew separately through the SCDMV website, because the address-change-only process does not include renewal.

How long does it take to get my updated license in the mail?

One to two weeks is typical. If you need the updated license faster, visit a DMV office in person — they will give you a temporary paper license that works right away, and the permanent card follows by mail.

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

A bank statement, mortgage statement, government letter, or insurance policy all work. The document just needs to show your name and new address and be recent (within 60 days for most documents). If you have none of these, ask the DMV office what other documents they accept.

Will changing my address affect my driving record or insurance?

Changing your address with the DMV does not affect your driving record. You should also notify your insurance company separately so they have your correct address on file, but the DMV address change itself is just an update to your license.