Where to change your address with Texas DPS

You can change your driver's license address through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in three ways: online through the DPS website, in person at a driver license office, or by mail. The online method is fastest if your license is current and you have not changed your name. In-person visits take about 15 to 30 minutes at most offices. Mail takes two to three weeks from the time DPS receives your request.

You do not need to renew your license to change your address — DPS treats address changes as a separate transaction. Your license expiration date stays the same. If you are moving out of state or your license has expired, you will need to renew instead of straightforward updating the address.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes work only if your license is current and you have not changed your name; you need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  • In-person visits at a DPS office require your current license, proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and proof of residency if you are a new Texas resident.
  • Mail-in changes require the same documents as in-person visits plus a completed form DL-43, which you can read from the DPS website.
  • If you are moving to Texas from another state, you have 30 days to update your address before DPS may suspend your driving privileges.

Changing your address online through the DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS online services portal at dps.texas.gov and select "Change Address" under the driver license section. You will need your current driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will ask you to enter your new address and confirm your identity by answering security questions based on your driving record.

Online changes cost nothing and take about five minutes. DPS will mail you a new license with your updated address within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue using your old license until the new one arrives. This method does not work if your license has expired, if you have changed your name since your last license was issued, or if you are a new Texas resident who needs to establish residency.

Changing your address in person at a DPS office

Find your nearest driver license office on the DPS website by entering your zip code. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your new address, and proof of identity. Proof of address means a document dated within the last 90 days showing your name and new street address — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. If you are a new Texas resident, you also need proof that you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days, such as a lease with a start date or a utility bill showing service start date.

Most offices accept walk-ins, but some require appointments. Check the DPS website for your office's hours and whether it takes appointments. Bring all documents in original form; DPS does not accept photocopies of proof of address. The fee for an address change is $11. You will receive your new license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Changing your address by mail

read form DL-43 (Change of Address) from the DPS website. Fill in your driver's license number, new address, and sign the form. Mail it along with a copy of your proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days) to the address listed on the form. Do not send your original license — DPS will return it to you with your new address.

Include a check or money order for $11 made payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Mail everything to the address on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date DPS receives your packet. Your new license will arrive in the mail. Keep a copy of your mailed form and proof of address for your records in case DPS does not receive it.

What happens if you move to Texas from another state

Texas law requires you to update your driver's license address within 30 days of moving to the state. If you have a valid out-of-state license, you can change the address on your Texas license without renewing. However, if your out-of-state license is expired or will expire within 60 days, you must renew your license instead of straightforward changing the address.

To change your address as a new Texas resident in person, bring your out-of-state license, proof of your new Texas address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and proof that you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days. The 30-day residency proof can be the same document as your proof of address if it shows a start date. You cannot change your address online if you are a new resident — you must visit an office or mail in your request.

What to do if your address change is rejected

DPS may reject your address change if your proof of address is outdated (older than 90 days), if your name on the proof does not match your license, or if the document does not show a street address. If your process is rejected by mail, DPS will return your documents and explain why. Contact your nearest driver license office by phone to ask what additional documents you need.

If you are having trouble getting proof of address in your name, some offices will accept a notarized letter from your landlord or property owner stating your address and move-in date. Call ahead to confirm your office accepts this before you visit. If you are homeless or living in a shelter, ask the office about alternative documentation — DPS has procedures for people without a permanent address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring my old license when I change my address in person?

Yes, you must bring your current driver's license to any DPS office. It is your primary form of identification for the transaction. If your license is lost or stolen, you will need to report it and explore for a replacement instead of changing the address.

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

DPS typically mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days of processing your request. Mail delivery adds another 3 to 5 days depending on your location. You can continue driving with your old license until the new one arrives.

What if my proof of address is in my spouse's name?

Your proof of address must show your name and your new street address. If the utility bill or lease is only in your spouse's name, ask for a second document in your name, such as a bank statement or credit card statement. Some offices will accept a notarized letter from your spouse confirming you live at that address.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

No. If your license is expired, you must renew it instead of changing the address. Renewal requires a visit to a DPS office and costs more than an address change. You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than two years.

What if I move again before my new license arrives?

Contact DPS as soon as you know your new address. If your new license has not been mailed yet, DPS can update the address before sending it. If it has already been mailed, it will arrive at your old address. You can pick it up there, have someone retrieve it for you, or contact DPS to request it be held at a driver license office for pickup.