Where to change your address and what you need

You can change your address on a Texas driver's license at any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office, online through the DPS website, or by mail. The online option is the fastest if your license is current and you have not changed your name. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address.

If you go in person, bring your current driver's license and proof of your new address. Proof can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days and showing your name and new address. You do not need to bring your Social Security card or passport for an address-only change.

The mail option requires you to send your current license, a completed process for Texas Driver License or ID (Form DL-43), and proof of your new address to the DPS address listed on their website. Processing by mail takes longer than in-person or online and you will be without your physical license during that time.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method through the DPS website is fastest for a current license and takes minutes, with no office visit required.
  • In-person changes at any DPS office require only your current license and proof of your new address dated within 30 days.
  • You do not need to renew your license or pay a fee to change your address alone.
  • If you changed your name at the same time, you must go in person or mail your documents; the online option will not work.
  • Your new address takes effect when ready online or in person, but mail processing can take several weeks.

Online address changes through the DPS website

The Texas DPS website has a dedicated portal for address changes that does not require you to visit an office. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address. The system will verify your identity using these details and then let you enter and confirm your new address.

After you submit online, your address updates in the DPS system right away. You do not receive a new physical card in the mail — your current license remains valid with the old address printed on it, but the DPS records show your new address. This matters for traffic stops, registration renewals, and voter registration, all of which pull from the DPS database rather than the card itself.

The online option only works if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name. If either of those is true, you must go in person or use the mail option.

In-person changes at a DPS office

Walk into any Texas DPS driver license office with your current license and proof of your new address. The proof must show your name and new address and be dated within the last 30 days. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. You do not need to bring anything else for an address-only change.

Tell the clerk you are changing your address. They will update your record and issue you a new physical license on the spot with your new address printed on it. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is. You can find office locations and hours on the DPS website.

Some offices are busier than others. Going early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon usually means a shorter wait than going at lunch or on a Saturday.

Mailing in your address change

If you cannot go online or visit an office, you can mail your documents to the DPS. You will need to send your current driver's license, a completed process for Texas Driver License or ID (Form DL-43), and proof of your new address. You can read Form DL-43 from the DPS website or request it by phone.

Mail your packet to the address listed on the DPS website for your region. Include a note with your name and the address change you are requesting. Processing takes several weeks, and you will not have your physical license during that time because the DPS keeps it while processing.

This option is slower than online or in-person, so use it only if the other two are not possible for you. If you need your license for identification before the mail processing is done, you may want to visit an office instead.

What happens if your name changed at the same time

If you changed your name — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — you cannot use the online option. You must go in person to a DPS office or mail your documents. The DPS needs to see official documentation of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Bring your current license, the name change document, and proof of your new address if it also changed. If only your name changed and your address stayed the same, you still need to update your license. The DPS will issue a new license with your new name and current address.

Timeline and when your new address takes effect

Online changes take effect when ready in the DPS database. In-person changes also take effect right away, and you get a new physical card with your new address printed on it before you leave the office. Mail-in changes take several weeks to process, and your new address does not take effect until the DPS receives and processes your packet.

If you need your address updated quickly for voter registration, vehicle registration, or another reason, online or in-person is much faster than mail. If you are moving soon and want to avoid the hassle of updating multiple places, do the address change before you move so everything is in sync.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay a fee to change my address?

No. Changing your address on your license is free. You only pay a fee if you are renewing your license at the same time or if you need a replacement card for a lost or damaged license.

What counts as proof of my new address?

A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days and showing your name and new address all work. Some offices also accept government mail with your name and address, such as tax documents or jury duty notices. Call your local DPS office if you are unsure whether your document will be accepted.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

No. You must renew your license first if it is expired. You can renew and change your address at the same time in person at a DPS office, or you can renew online through the DPS website and then do a separate address change online afterward.

Do I get a new physical card when I change my address online?

No. Your current license stays the same, but your address in the DPS database updates. Your old card is still valid for identification. If you want a new card with your new address printed on it, you must go in person to a DPS office.

How long does a mail-in address change take?

Processing usually takes several weeks. The exact time varies depending on how busy the DPS is. During that time, you will not have your physical license because the DPS keeps it while processing. If you need your license for identification, go in person or use the online option instead.