Where to change your address on your Washington license

You can update your address with the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) in three ways: online through their website, by mail, or in person at a DOL office. The online method is fastest — you can complete it in minutes from home. By mail takes one to two weeks. In person is when ready but requires a trip to an office during business hours.

The online option works only 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 mail in a form. Washington does not charge a fee to update your address alone, but if you need a replacement card with the new address printed on it, that costs $20.

Key Takeaways

  • You can update your address online at dol.wa.gov if your license is current and your name has not changed.
  • By mail, send a signed form to the DOL with proof of your new address; processing takes one to two weeks.
  • In person, bring your current license and proof of address to any DOL office for an when ready update.
  • A replacement card with your new address printed on it costs $20; the address change itself is free.
  • Washington requires you to notify DOL of an address change within 30 days of moving.

Updating your address online

Go to dol.wa.gov and look for the "Update Your Address" option under the driver's license section. You will need your current Washington driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You will also enter your new address and confirm it.

The system will ask whether you want a replacement card mailed to you with the new address printed on it. If you say no, the address change takes effect when ready in the DOL system, but your physical card will still show the old address. If you say yes, you will be charged $20 and the new card arrives by mail in about two weeks. Many people skip the replacement card and just keep the old one — the address in the system is what matters for most purposes.

Updating your address by mail

Request form DL 43 (Address Change) from the DOL website or call 360-902-3900 to have one mailed to you. Fill it out completely, sign it, and include proof of your new address. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your name and new address.

Mail the form and proof to the address listed on the form — currently the Department of Licensing, P.O. Box 9030, Olympia, WA 98507-9030. Processing takes one to two weeks from the date they receive it. You will not receive a confirmation, but your address will be updated in the system. If you want a replacement card, include a check or money order for $20 payable to the Department of Licensing.

Updating your address in person

Visit any Washington DOL office with your current driver's license and proof of your new address. The same documents that work by mail work in person — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 60 days. You can find office locations and hours at dol.wa.gov.

The staff member will update your address in the system on the spot. If you want a replacement card printed with the new address, you pay $20 at that time and the card is mailed to you. Without a replacement card, your address is changed when ready but your physical license still shows the old one.

What counts as proof of address

Washington accepts documents dated within the last 60 days that show your name and new address. 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. Some people use a letter from their employer or a government agency if it shows their name and address.

The document must be an original or certified copy — a photo or screenshot usually does not work. If you have just moved and do not yet have a bill or statement in your name at the new address, ask your landlord or utility company for a letter on their letterhead confirming your move-in date and address.

When you need to update your address

Washington law requires you to notify the DOL of a change of address within 30 days of moving. This is not a important date that triggers a penalty if you miss it, but it is the legal requirement. In practice, updating your address promptly prevents confusion if you are pulled over or if mail from the state goes to your old address.

If you move and do not update your address, your license remains valid — it just shows the wrong address. However, if you receive a traffic ticket or other notice by mail, it may go to your old address and you might miss a court date or important date. Updating your address is straightforward enough that doing it within a week or two of moving is worth the small effort.

Replacing your card versus updating the address only

You have two choices when you update your address: change the address in the system only, or also order a replacement card. If you choose the system-only update, your address is corrected in the DOL database when ready (or within one to two weeks by mail), but your physical card still shows the old address. This is fine for most situations — police, banks, and government offices check the DOL system, not the card itself.

A replacement card costs $20 and takes about two weeks to arrive by mail. Order one if you prefer to have a card that matches your current address, or if you need to show your license frequently and want it to be current. Otherwise, the system update alone is sufficient and saves you the cost and wait time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my address if I moved out of state?

If you moved out of Washington permanently, you should get a driver's license from your new state instead of updating your Washington address. However, if you are temporarily out of state and keeping your Washington license, you can update your address to an out-of-state address through the same methods — online, by mail, or in person.

What if I do not have proof of my new address yet?

Wait until you have a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and address. This is usually a utility bill or lease. If you have just moved and nothing is in your name yet, ask your landlord or utility company for a letter on their letterhead confirming your move-in date and address. That letter counts as proof.

Can I update my address if my license is expired?

No, you cannot update your address online if your license is expired. You must renew your license first, which requires an in-person visit to a DOL office. Once your license is renewed, you can update your address online or by mail. If you go in person to renew, you can update your address at the same time.

How long does it take for the address change to show up in the system?

If you update online, the change is when ready. If you update by mail, it takes one to two weeks from the date the DOL receives your form. If you update in person, the change is when ready. You can call 360-902-3900 to confirm your address was updated if you want to check.

Will I get a new license number when I change my address?

No, your license number stays the same. Only your address changes in the system. Your physical card keeps the same number, and if you order a replacement card, it will have the same number with the new address printed on it.