You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you update your address without renewing your license early. The fastest route is online through the DPS website if your license is current and you have not changed your name. If you need to do it in person or by mail, the process takes longer but works the same way — you provide your new address, DPS updates their records, and a new license arrives in the mail.
You do not need to surrender your old license or pay a fee for an address change alone. Your new license will have the same number and expiration date as your current one, just with your updated address printed on it.
Key Takeaways
- The online method through the DPS website is the fastest option and takes about 7 to 10 business days if your license is current and you have not changed your name.
- You can change your address by mail by sending a completed form DL-43 to the DPS address on the form, which takes 2 to 3 weeks.
- In-person changes at any DPS office require your current license, proof of residency, and take effect when ready, though your new license still arrives by mail.
- Proof of residency means a document showing your name and new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 90 days.
- If you changed your name or your license is expired, you cannot use the online method and must go in person or by mail with additional documents.
Changing your address online through the DPS website
Go to the Texas DPS website and look for the "Online Services" section. You will see an option to change your address on your driver's license. Click it and log in with your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Answer a few security questions to verify your identity.
Enter your new address exactly as you want it to appear on your license. Double-check the spelling and zip code before you submit. DPS will send you a confirmation email. Your new license will be mailed to your new address within 7 to 10 business days. You can keep using your current license until the new one arrives.
This method only works if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name. If either of those is true, skip to the in-person or mail sections below.
Changing your address by mail
read or print form DL-43 from the Texas DPS website. Fill in your current driver's license number, your new address, and sign the form. You do not need to notarize it. Include a copy of your proof of residency — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your name and new address, dated within the last 90 days.
Mail the form and proof of residency to the address listed on the form itself. Keep a copy for your records. DPS will process your request and mail your new license to your new address within 2 to 3 weeks. You can continue using your current license during this time.
The mail method works whether your license is current or expired, and whether you changed your name or not. It is slower than the online method but requires no in-person visit.
Changing your address in person at a DPS office
Bring your current driver's license and proof of residency to any DPS office in Texas. Proof of residency is a document dated within the last 90 days that shows your name and new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but you can check the DPS website to see wait times at your nearest location.
Tell the clerk you want to change your address. They will update your information on the spot. You will not receive a new license when ready; DPS will mail it to your new address within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives.
The in-person method is useful if your license is expired, you changed your name, or you want to confirm the change was processed correctly before you leave. It also works if you do not have access to a printer or reliable mail service.
What counts as proof of residency
Proof of residency must show your name and your new address, and it must be dated within the last 90 days. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone) is the most common option. A lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement also work. Some people use a letter from their employer or school showing their name and address, though DPS prefers documents from utilities or financial institutions.
Do not bring a document with only a P.O. box or a document that shows someone else's name. If you just moved and do not have a bill in your name yet, ask your landlord or utility company for a letter confirming your residency, or bring a lease with a recent utility bill in a roommate's name plus a letter from your landlord.
What happens after you submit your change
DPS updates their records within one business day of receiving your request, whether you submitted it online, by mail, or in person. Your new license is printed and mailed to your new address. Delivery usually takes 7 to 10 business days from the date DPS processes your request, though it can take longer if your address is rural or if mail is delayed.
You can use your old license for identification until your new one arrives. If you need to check the status of your new license, you can call the DPS customer service line or visit a DPS office with your old license and ask them to look it up.
If your new license does not arrive or is damaged
If more than two weeks have passed and you have not received your new license, call the DPS customer service line with your driver's license number. They can check whether it was mailed and to which address. If it was lost in the mail, DPS can reissue it.
If your new license arrives damaged or with incorrect information, return to a DPS office with the damaged license and proof of residency. They will submit a replacement request at no charge. The replacement license will arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to change my address?
No. Changing your address on your driver's license is free. You only pay a fee if you are renewing your license early or replacing a lost or stolen license.
Can I change my address if my license is expired?
Yes, but you cannot use the online method. You must go in person to a DPS office or mail in form DL-43 with proof of residency. Bring your expired license and proof of residency to the office, and they will update your address and issue a new license.
What if I moved out of state?
If you no longer live in Texas, you should get a driver's license from your new state instead of changing your Texas address. However, if you still have a Texas address (like a family member's home) and want to keep your Texas license, you can change it to that address using any of the three methods above.
How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?
Most new licenses arrive within 7 to 10 business days of when DPS processes your request. Mail delivery times vary by location. If you submitted by mail, add 1 to 2 weeks for DPS to receive and process your form before the 7 to 10 days begins.
Can I change my address at the same time as renewing my license?
Yes. When you renew your license online, by mail, or in person, you can update your address at the same time. The renewal process will ask for your current address and let you change it if needed.