You can update your Texas driver's license address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you change your address without renewing your license early. The fastest route is the online system if you have a Real ID-compliant license or passport. If you don't have those documents or prefer not to use the online portal, you can mail a form to DPS or walk into a driver's license office in person.

Your address must be updated within a reasonable time after you move — Texas law doesn't set a specific important date, but keeping your license current with your actual residence protects you if you're pulled over and helps may support you receive mail from DPS about renewals or other notices.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change at texas.gov/dps takes about 10 minutes and works if you have a Real ID license, passport, or military ID.
  • Mailing Form DL-43 to DPS costs nothing and takes two to three weeks, and you don't need to include documents with it.
  • Visiting a DPS driver's license office in person is fastest if you want confirmation the same day, though wait times vary by location.
  • You cannot change your address at a county tax assessor's office or through a third-party vendor — only DPS handles this.

Updating your address online through the DPS website

Go to texas.gov/dps and look for the "Change Address" option under the driver's license section. You'll need to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will ask you to verify your identity using one of three methods: uploading a photo of your Real ID-compliant license, uploading a photo of your passport, or uploading a photo of your military ID.

Once you've verified your identity, enter your new address and review it for accuracy before submitting. The system will send you a confirmation email. Your address change takes effect when ready in the DPS database, though the physical license in your wallet still shows the old address — you don't need to carry a new card unless you want one.

If the online system rejects your identity verification, it usually means the photo you uploaded is unclear, the document has expired, or the information doesn't match DPS records exactly. Try uploading again with better lighting, or use one of the other two identity verification methods instead.

Mailing Form DL-43 to the DPS

read Form DL-43 (Change of Address) from the DPS website or pick one up at any driver's license office. Fill in your driver's license number, your new address, and sign and date the form. You don't need to include a copy of your license, proof of residence, or any other documents — just the signed form.

Mail the form to the DPS address listed on the form itself (currently the DPS headquarters in Austin, though this can change). Processing takes two to three weeks from the date DPS receives it. You'll receive a confirmation postcard at your new address once the change is complete. Keep that postcard as proof until your next license renewal.

If you're moving out of state or to a temporary address, write a note on the form explaining the situation. DPS will still process the change, but they may mail confirmation to your previous address if they can't reach you at the new one.

Changing your address in person at a DPS office

Find your nearest DPS driver's license office using the office locator on texas.gov/dps. Bring your current driver's license and one document proving your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. The document must show your name and the new address.

Walk in during office hours (no appointment needed for address changes at most locations, though some offices now use a scheduling system — check your local office's page first). Tell the clerk you're updating your address. They'll verify your identity, confirm your new address, and process the change on the spot. You'll walk out with confirmation that the change is complete in the system.

Wait times vary widely depending on the office and time of day. Early morning on a weekday is usually faster than afternoon or weekend hours. If your local office has a long wait, the online or mail options may save you time.

What counts as proof of your new address

DPS accepts documents that show your name and new address together. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common choice. A lease or rental agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank or credit card statement also work. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

A piece of mail from a government agency counts too — a tax return, voter registration card, or letter from Social Security. You don't need an official "proof of residency" letter from your landlord or employer unless you're in a situation where you can't get any of the documents above.

If you're moving to a temporary address or living with someone else, bring a signed letter from the person whose name is on the lease or utility bill, along with a copy of that lease or bill. The letter should state that you live there and include both of your names.

Timeline and what happens next

Online changes take effect when ready. Mail takes two to three weeks. In-person changes are when ready. Your address updates in the DPS system right away no matter which method you use, so law enforcement and other agencies can see the new address when ready if they look up your license.

Your physical license card still shows the old address until you renew it. You don't have to renew early just to get a new card with the correct address — the address in the system is what matters legally. However, if you want a new card with the updated address, you can request one at any DPS office for a small fee (usually around $20, though this varies).

If you move again before your license expires, you can update your address as many times as you need using any of these same methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my address before or after I move?

You can update it either way. Many people do it after they've moved and have proof of the new address. If you update before moving, bring documentation showing the new address is yours — a signed lease works even if you haven't moved in yet.

What if I don't have a Real ID license or passport for the online method?

Use the mail-in form or go to a DPS office in person. Both work just as well and don't require Real ID. The mail option takes longer but costs nothing and requires no documents beyond the signed form.

Can I update my address at the county tax assessor's office or a third-party vendor?

No. Only the Texas DPS can change your driver's license address. Tax assessor offices and third-party vendors like notary shops cannot process this change, even if they offer other license-related services.

What if I'm moving out of state — do I still need to update my Texas address?

If you're keeping your Texas license, update it to your new out-of-state address. If you're getting a license in your new state instead, you don't need to update the Texas one. Either way, notify DPS of your move so they don't send renewal notices to an address where you no longer live.

How long does my address change stay in the system?

It stays until you move again and update it, or until your license expires and you renew it. There's no time limit — the address you provide is your official address for as long as your license is valid.