You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office
Michigan lets you update your driver's license address without getting a new license card. The fastest way is online through the Secretary of State website if you have a valid email address and your current license number. If you prefer not to go online, you can mail in a form or walk into any Secretary of State office with proof of your new address. You do not need to take a new photo or pay a fee for an address-only change.
The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the change recorded and whether you have the documents ready. Online takes minutes. By mail takes one to two weeks. In person takes about 30 minutes at the office, though wait times vary by location.
Key Takeaways
- The online method through the Michigan Secretary of State website is the fastest and requires only your license number, email address, and proof of residency uploaded as a photo.
- By mail, you send form DL 44 (process for Operator License or Chauffeur License) with a copy of your proof of address to the address listed on the form.
- In person, bring your current license and one document showing your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement all work.
- Your address change takes effect when ready online or in person, but may take one to two weeks by mail.
- You do not pay a fee for an address-only change, and your license card itself does not change.
Changing your address online
Go to the Michigan Secretary of State website and look for the "Change of Address" option under driver's license services. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to upload a photo of one document that shows your new address — a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government mail all count.
Once you submit, the change is recorded in the system right away. You do not receive a new card in the mail. Your old card remains valid, but the address on file with the state is updated. This matters because police, courts, and government agencies see the address in the state system, not the address printed on your physical card.
Changing your address by mail
Request form DL 44 from the Secretary of State or read it from their website. Fill in your new address and current license number. Attach a photocopy of one document showing your new address — the same documents work as the online method. Mail the form and copy to the address printed on the form itself.
Processing takes one to two weeks from the date they receive your envelope. You will not receive a confirmation in the mail unless something is wrong with your submission. If you want to confirm receipt, you can call the Secretary of State customer service line, though wait times can be long.
Changing your address in person at a Secretary of State office
Find your nearest office on the Secretary of State website and check their hours — some offices have limited schedules. Bring your current driver's license and one document showing your new address. The staff member will update your information on the spot, and the change is recorded when ready in the state system.
You will not receive a new card. Your old card stays valid with the old address printed on it, but the state's records show your new address. This is the fastest method if you want the change recorded the same day, though you may wait 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the office is.
What counts as proof of your new address
Michigan accepts a wide range of documents. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) in your name is the most common. A lease agreement or rental agreement works. A bank or credit card statement with your new address also works. Government mail — tax documents, voter registration, or court papers — counts. Some offices accept a notarized letter from a landlord or property manager if you do not have other documents yet.
The document must show your full name and your new street address. A PO box does not count as a residential address. If you just moved and have not received mail at the new address yet, ask your landlord or property manager for a notarized letter stating you live there, or wait for a utility bill or bank statement to arrive.
When you need a new license card instead of just an address change
If your license is expiring within the next year, you may want to renew it at the same time you change your address. A renewal gives you a new card with the correct address printed on it. You can do this online, by mail, or in person using the same methods as an address change, but you will pay the renewal fee (which varies based on your age and license type) and may need to provide a new photo.
If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged, you need a replacement card, not just an address change. That requires a separate process and a fee. But if your license is still valid and you only need to update where you live, an address-only change is free and does not require a new photo.
How long the change takes to show up in other systems
The Michigan Secretary of State updates your address in their system when ready if you change it online or in person. However, other agencies and organizations may take longer to see the change. Your voter registration, vehicle registration, and insurance company records do not automatically update — you may need to contact them separately to change your address there too.
If you are moving to a different county, you should also register to vote at your new address. You can do this online through the Michigan voter registration website or at your local clerk's office. Vehicle registration changes can be done online through the Secretary of State website or at a Secretary of State office at the same time you change your license address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change my address if I am only moving within the same city?
Yes. Even if you stay in the same city or county, you should update your address on file with the state. Police and courts use the address in the state system, not the address on your physical card. If you are pulled over or receive a court notice, the state's records determine where documents are sent.
What if I do not have a document with my new address yet?
Ask your landlord or property manager for a notarized letter stating you live at the new address. Some Secretary of State offices accept this in place of a utility bill or lease. You can also wait for a utility bill or bank statement to arrive at your new address, which usually takes one to two weeks.
Can I change my address online if I do not have an email address?
No. The online method requires a valid email address to upload your proof of address. Use the by-mail method or visit a Secretary of State office in person instead.
Will my old license card still work after I change my address?
Yes. Your physical card remains valid even though the address printed on it is now outdated. The state's records show your new address, which is what matters for legal purposes. You can use the old card to drive, board planes, or prove your identity.
Do I have to change my address on my vehicle registration too?
Vehicle registration and driver's license address are separate. You can change your vehicle registration address online through the Secretary of State website or at a Secretary of State office. It is not required to match your license address, but it is a good idea to keep them the same so mail reaches you.