Where to update your address and what you'll need

You can update your address on a Texas driver's license at any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, online through the DPS website, or by mail. The fastest route is online if your license is current and you have a valid email address on file. If you go in person, bring your current driver's license and proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days all work.

The address change itself costs nothing. You do not need to renew your license or take a new photo unless your license is already expiring within the next 60 days. If it is, the DPS will offer you a renewal at the same time, which does have a fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes take about 10 minutes and are processed within one to two business days if your license is current.
  • In-person updates at a DPS office take 15 to 30 minutes and you walk out with a temporary paper license the same day.
  • Mail-in changes require a completed form, a copy of your current license, and proof of address, and take two to three weeks.
  • You must update your address within 30 days of moving under Texas law, though the penalty is rarely enforced unless you are stopped by police.

Updating your address online

Go to the Texas DPS website and select "Change Address" under the driver's license section. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Enter your new address and confirm your email address — the DPS will send you a confirmation link.

Click the link in your email within 24 hours to complete the change. Your updated license information will be active within one to two business days. You do not receive a physical card in the mail; your address is updated in the system, and your current license remains valid. If you need proof of the change before your next renewal, you can print a confirmation from the DPS website.

Updating your address in person at a DPS office

Find your nearest DPS office on the Texas DPS website and check the office hours — some locations are open only certain days. Bring your current driver's license and one document showing your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and address.

Walk in or check whether the office takes appointments; many DPS locations now use an online appointment system to reduce wait times. Tell the clerk you need an address change. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your new plastic card is mailed to your new address. The card usually arrives within two weeks.

Updating your address by mail

read and print the "Change of Address" form from the Texas DPS website (form DL-43). Fill in your current license number, new address, and sign the form. Make a copy of the front and back of your current driver's license and include one document proving your new address.

Mail the form, your license copies, and your proof of address to the address listed on the form. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the DPS to mail you a confirmation. Processing takes two to three weeks. Your address will be updated in the system, but you will not receive a new physical card unless you also renew your license.

What happens if you miss the 30-day important date

Texas law requires you to update your address within 30 days of moving. If you do not, you are technically in violation, but enforcement is uncommon unless you are stopped by police or pulled over in traffic. An officer may issue a citation, which carries a fine of up to $200.

More practically, keeping an outdated address on your license can cause problems if you are stopped and the officer's records do not match your current location, or if you need to renew your license and the DPS tries to mail your new card to an old address. Update your address as soon as you can after moving, even if you have already passed the 30-day window.

Updating your address if your license is expiring soon

If your license expires within 60 days, the DPS will offer you a renewal when you change your address. A renewal costs $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. You can renew online, in person, or by mail at the same time you change your address.

If you renew in person, you will need to take a new photo. Bring your current license, proof of your new address, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card). The temporary paper license you receive will be valid for 45 days while your new card is mailed.

Updating your address if your license is suspended or expired

If your license is suspended or expired, you cannot change your address online or by mail. You must go to a DPS office in person. Bring your current (or expired) license, proof of your new address, and any documents required to lift the suspension — for example, proof of payment if the suspension was for unpaid traffic fines.

The clerk will help you resolve the suspension or renewal issue at the same time. This process takes longer than a straightforward address change, typically 30 to 45 minutes, because the DPS must verify that you are may be able to access to hold a license before updating your information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you change your address in person or by mail, your new card is mailed to your new address and usually arrives within two weeks. The DPS processes cards in batches, so timing varies. You can use the temporary paper license they give you in person for 45 days while you wait.

Can I change my address if I do not have a utility bill or lease?

Yes. The DPS accepts bank statements, mortgage statements, government mail, insurance documents, and some other official mail showing your name and address dated within the last 90 days. Call your local DPS office if you are unsure whether a specific document will work.

What if I moved out of state but still have a Texas license?

You can update your address to an out-of-state address online or by mail. However, Texas law requires you to get a driver's license from your new state within a certain period — usually 30 to 60 days depending on the state. Check your new state's requirements and explore for a license there when you move.

Do I need to update my address if I only moved within the same city?

Yes. Texas law requires an address update whenever you move, regardless of distance. The update is the same process whether you moved across town or across the state.

What if the DPS mailed my new card to my old address by mistake?

Contact your local DPS office when ready with your confirmation number or reference number from your address change. They can reissue the card to your correct address. You may be charged a replacement fee of $11 depending on the circumstances.