Where to change your Georgia driver's license address
You can change your address with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) in three ways: online through their website, by mail, or in person at a DDS office. The online method is the fastest — you can update your address without leaving home, and the change takes effect when ready. If you prefer to go in person, any DDS office in Georgia will process the change while you wait.
The online option works only if your license is valid and not suspended. If your license is expired or suspended, you must visit a DDS office or mail in your request. Many people choose the in-person route because they can handle other license needs at the same time, like renewing an expiring license or updating other information.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia's online address change tool is available 24/7 on the DDS website and updates your record when ready if your license is current.
- You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth to change your address online.
- If you change your address in person at a DDS office, bring your current license and proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease.
- Address changes by mail take longer — typically two to three weeks — and require you to mail in your current license.
- Georgia law requires you to notify DDS of an address change within 30 days of moving.
Changing your address online through the DDS website
Go to the Georgia DDS website and look for the "Change Address" option in the online services section. You will enter your driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The system will verify your identity and show your current address on file. You then type in your new address and confirm the change.
The entire process takes about five minutes. Once you submit, your address is updated in the DDS system right away. You do not receive a new physical license card — your current card remains valid with the old address printed on it, but the DDS records show your new address. If you want a license card with your new address printed on it, you can order a replacement card through the same online system for a fee, though this is optional.
Changing your address in person at a DDS office
Bring your current driver's license and one document that shows your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and new address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.
Walk in during DDS office hours — no appointment is needed for an address change. Tell the staff member you want to update your address. They will scan your license, enter your new address into the system, and you are done. The change is when ready. Like the online method, your physical card keeps the old address unless you pay to order a replacement.
Changing your address by mail
Print the address change form from the Georgia DDS website (Form DL-43 or the current version listed on their site). Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Include a copy of a document showing your new address — the same documents accepted in person work by mail, such as a utility bill or lease.
Mail the form and your current license to the address listed on the DDS website for address changes. Include a note with your phone number so DDS can contact you if there are questions. Processing takes two to three weeks. DDS will mail your license back to your new address once the change is recorded. During this time, your old license is still valid for identification purposes.
What counts as proof of your new address
Georgia DDS accepts documents dated within the last 60 days that show your name and new address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common choice. A lease agreement or rental agreement works if it shows your name and the new address. A mortgage statement, property tax bill, or homeowner's insurance policy also work.
Bank statements and credit card statements are accepted if they show your name and address. Government mail — such as a tax document, voter registration card, or court notice — counts as well. A letter from your employer or school on official letterhead with your name and address is acceptable. You cannot use a piece of mail addressed to "Resident" or "Current Occupant," and you cannot use a post office box as your address.
Timeline and what to expect after you change your address
If you change your address online, the update is when ready. If you go in person, the change is recorded when ready. If you mail in your request, expect two to three weeks for processing and mailing your license back to you.
After your address changes, all future DDS mail — including license renewal notices and vehicle registration documents — will go to your new address. If you ordered a replacement license card with your new address printed on it, that card will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Your old license remains valid for identification and driving until it expires; you do not have to destroy it or turn it in.
What to do if you move out of state or need other changes
If you move to another state, you will eventually need to get a driver's license in that state. Georgia does not require you to formally close your license, but most states require you to get a new license within a certain timeframe — usually 30 to 60 days. Check the requirements of your new state's DMV.
If you need to change information other than your address — such as your name, gender marker, or emergency contact — those changes require a visit to a DDS office in person. You will need to bring documents that support the change, such as a marriage certificate for a name change or a court order for a gender marker change. Address changes are the only updates you can handle online or by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my address within 30 days of moving?
Georgia law says you must notify DDS of a change of address within 30 days. However, there is no penalty for missing this important date, and DDS does not actively check. That said, updating your address promptly ensures you receive important mail and keeps your record accurate.
Will I get a new license card with my new address on it?
No — your current card stays the same. The address in the DDS system updates, but the card itself is not replaced unless you order one. You can order a replacement card online or in person for a fee if you want the new address printed on the physical card.
Can I change my address if my license is expired?
You cannot use the online tool if your license is expired. You must visit a DDS office in person or mail in a request. If you are going in person anyway, you may want to renew your license at the same time.
What if I do not have a document showing my new address?
You will need to get one. A utility bill in your name is easiest — contact your electric, gas, water, or internet provider and ask them to send a bill to your new address. A lease or rental agreement from your landlord also works. Without a document, DDS cannot process the address change.
Does changing my address affect my vehicle registration?
No, your vehicle registration is separate. You will need to update your vehicle registration address with the Georgia Department of Revenue separately. However, once your driver's license address is updated, future registration renewal notices will be mailed to your new address.