Where to update your Pennsylvania driver's license
You update your Pennsylvania driver's license through PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. You have three main routes: visit a Driver License Center in person, mail in your request with the required documents, or use the online portal for certain changes. Which route works depends on what you're changing and whether you need a new photo.
The fastest option is usually an in-person visit to a Driver License Center, where staff can process most updates the same day. If you're changing your address only and don't need a new photo, you can often mail documents or update online. If you need a new photo — because you changed your name, look significantly different, or your license is expiring — you'll need to visit in person.
Key Takeaways
- Address changes can be done online, by mail, or in person at a Driver License Center, and you don't need a new photo unless your license is expiring.
- Name changes require an in-person visit with a certified copy of the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree.
- You can find your nearest Driver License Center and check current wait times on the PennDOT website before you go.
- Mailing in updates takes two to four weeks, while in-person visits are usually processed the same day.
- You'll need your current driver's license and proof of your new information, such as a utility bill for an address change or a birth certificate for a legal name change.
Updating your address
An address change is the simplest update. You can do it online through the PennDOT website if you have your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The online method takes a few minutes and costs nothing. Your updated license will arrive by mail in about two weeks.
If you prefer not to use the online portal, you can mail a completed form DL-44 (process for a Pennsylvania Driver's License or Learner's Permit) along with proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. Mail it to the address listed on the form. You do not need a new photo for an address-only change unless your license is expiring within the next year.
You can also visit a Driver License Center in person with your current license and proof of your new address. Bring a document dated within the last 60 days. The update is usually done while you wait, and you'll receive your new license in the mail within two weeks.
Changing your name on your license
A legal name change requires an in-person visit to a Driver License Center. You'll need to bring your current driver's license, a certified copy of the document that proves your name change, and a completed form DL-44. The certified document must be an original or certified copy — a photocopy won't work.
Acceptable documents include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order for a legal name change, or an amended birth certificate. If you were married or divorced outside Pennsylvania, the document must be certified by the court or agency that issued it. Contact the court or agency in the state where the event occurred if you don't have a certified copy.
Bring these documents to any Driver License Center. You'll have your photo taken, and your new license will be mailed to you within two weeks. There is a fee for a replacement license with a new name; the current fee varies, so check the PennDOT website or call ahead to confirm the amount.
Updating other information
If you're changing your height, eye color, or other physical descriptors because you've changed your appearance, you'll need to visit a Driver License Center in person for a new photo. Bring your current license and any documents that support the change if requested by staff.
If you're correcting an error on your license — a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, or incorrect address that you never authorized — contact PennDOT directly. Call 1-717-787-2937 to report the error and ask what documents you'll need to bring to a Driver License Center to correct it. Errors are usually corrected at no charge.
If you've changed your gender marker, you can update it in person at a Driver License Center. Bring your current license and a completed form DL-44. Some Driver License Centers may ask for additional documentation; call ahead to confirm what your local center requires.
What documents you'll need
| Type of Update | Documents to Bring | Best Method |
|---|---|---|
| Address change | Current license, proof of new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days) | Online, mail, or in person |
| Name change | Current license, certified copy of marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, completed form DL-44 | In person only |
| Physical description change | Current license, any supporting documents if requested | In person only (new photo required) |
| Correcting an error | Current license, documents supporting the correction | Call PennDOT first, then in person |
| Gender marker change | Current license, completed form DL-44, possibly additional documentation | In person (call ahead to confirm requirements) |
Finding a Driver License Center and checking wait times
PennDOT operates Driver License Centers throughout Pennsylvania. You can find the one nearest you on the PennDOT website by entering your zip code. The website also shows current wait times at each location, updated throughout the day. If one center has a long wait, you can often visit a different one nearby with a shorter line.
Most centers are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. Check the specific center's hours before you go. If you want to avoid waiting, some centers allow you to schedule an appointment online. Look for the appointment scheduling option on the PennDOT website for your local center.
Bring all required documents with you, even if you think you might not need them. Staff can process your update faster if everything is there. If you're missing a document, you may have to return another day or complete the update by mail instead.
Processing times and fees
In-person updates at a Driver License Center are usually processed the same day, and your new license arrives by mail within two weeks. If you mail in your request, processing takes two to four weeks from the date PennDOT receives it, plus mail delivery time on both ends.
Address-only changes are free. Name changes, corrections, and other updates that require a new license have a fee. The fee amount depends on whether you're renewing your license at the same time or just making the change. Check the PennDOT website or call 1-717-787-2937 to confirm the current fee before you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I update my address online if I don't have my license number?
No, the online portal requires your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you don't have your license number, you can mail in the request or visit a Driver License Center in person instead.
What if my certified name-change document is from another state?
It must be certified by the court or agency that issued it. Contact that court or agency to request a certified copy if you don't have one. A photocopy or uncertified document won't be accepted at the Driver License Center.
Do I need a new photo if I'm only changing my address?
No, unless your license is expiring within the next year. If your license is expiring soon, you'll need to renew it anyway, which includes a new photo. Otherwise, an address-only change doesn't require a new photo.
How long does it take to get my updated license in the mail?
After you update in person or by mail, your new license arrives within two weeks. Mail delivery time varies depending on where you live, so it may take a few extra days after that. If you need your updated license urgently, ask at the Driver License Center whether they can issue a temporary document.
What if I moved and didn't update my address on my license?
You can update it anytime using any of the three methods — online, by mail, or in person. There's no penalty for updating late. However, it's a good idea to update soon so that official mail from PennDOT and other agencies reaches you at your current address.