Texas lets you change your address online through the DPS website, but only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address more than once in the past year
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) offers an online address change service at the DPS website. You can use it to update the address on your driver's license or ID card without visiting a driver's license office. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $0 — there is no fee for an address change.
However, the online option has real limits. You cannot use it if your license has already expired, if you changed your address within the past 12 months, or if you need to change your name at the same time. If any of those explore to you, you will need to visit a driver's license office in person or renew your license by mail.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your address online at the DPS website if your license is current and you have not changed your address in the past 12 months.
- The online process requires your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth.
- If your license is expired, you changed your address within the past year, or you need to change your name, you must visit a driver's license office or renew by mail instead.
- Changes made online usually appear in the DPS system within one business day, though the physical card in the mail takes two to three weeks.
What you need before you start the online process
Gather these items before you go to the DPS website: your current Texas driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You will also need the new address you want on file. That is all the DPS asks for online.
Do not start the process if your license expired more than two years ago. The DPS online system will reject you, and you will have to renew your license instead — either in person at a driver's license office or by mail if you are over 79 or have a medical condition that prevents you from visiting an office.
The step-by-step process on the DPS website
Go to the Texas DPS website and look for the "Online Services" section. Select "Change Address" from the menu. You will be asked to 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 record and ask you to confirm the information is correct.
Next, enter your new address in the fields provided. Make sure the street address, city, state, and ZIP code are all correct — the DPS will mail your new card to this address. Review everything one more time before you submit. Once you submit, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write it down or take a screenshot.
The DPS will send you a confirmation email within a few hours. Your address change takes effect in the DPS system within one business day. Your new physical card will arrive in the mail in two to three weeks.
When you cannot use the online option
The online address change is not available if your license has expired. If you are past the expiration date, you must renew your license instead. You can renew in person at any driver's license office, or by mail if you are over 79, have a medical condition documented by a doctor, or are on active military duty outside the United States.
You also cannot use the online option if you changed your address within the past 12 months. The DPS system blocks repeat address changes to prevent fraud. If you need to change your address again before a year has passed, you must visit a driver's license office in person.
If you need to change your name at the same time as your address, the online system will not let you do both together. You will need to visit a driver's license office and bring documents that show the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other legal proof.
What happens after you submit your change online
Your address change is recorded in the DPS database within one business day. This means your new address is live for purposes like vehicle registration, insurance, and law enforcement records. However, the physical card with your new address printed on it takes longer to arrive.
The DPS mails new cards from a central location, and delivery typically takes two to three weeks depending on where you live in Texas. If you need proof of your address change before the card arrives, you can print a confirmation from your online DPS account or bring your confirmation number to a driver's license office and ask for a printed record.
Your old card with the old address remains valid for identification purposes until the new one arrives. You do not need to destroy it or turn it in.
Visiting a driver's license office if you cannot go online
If you cannot use the online option, you will need to visit a driver's license office in person. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the past 60 days), and your Social Security card or a document that shows your Social Security number.
You can find the office nearest you on the DPS website by entering your ZIP code. Most offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to schedule an appointment online first. Check your local office's page to see whether appointments are required. Address changes at an office are free and take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address online if my license expires in the next few months?
No. The online system checks whether your license is currently valid, not whether it will be valid in the future. If your license is expired or past its expiration date, you cannot use the online option. You must renew your license instead, which you can do in person or by mail depending on your age and circumstances.
How do I know if my address change went through?
You will receive a confirmation email from the DPS within a few hours of submitting. The email will include a confirmation number. You can also log into your DPS online account to see your updated address in the system. The address takes effect when ready in the DPS database, even though the physical card takes two to three weeks to arrive.
What if I entered the wrong address by mistake?
Contact the DPS when ready at 1-888-589-6789 before your new card is mailed. If you catch the error in time, they may be able to stop the card and reissue it with the correct address. If the card has already been mailed, you will need to visit a driver's license office in person to correct it.
Do I have to pay a fee to change my address online?
No. Address changes are free whether you do them online or at a driver's license office. The DPS does not charge a fee for this transaction. You only pay a fee if you are renewing your license at the same time.
Can I change my address if I am out of state?
Yes, you can use the online option from anywhere as long as you have internet access and your license is current. If you cannot use the online option and need to change your address in person, you can visit any driver's license office in Texas, not just the one in your county.