You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility

Illinois lets you update your driver's license address without getting a new license, as long as you're not changing your name or correcting your date of birth. The fastest route is the online system if your license is current and you have a valid email address. If you prefer not to go online, you can mail in a form or visit a Secretary of State office in person — both take longer but work just as well.

You do not need to pay a fee to change your address. The process itself is free, though if you want a replacement card with your new address printed on it, that costs money and is optional.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change at cyberdriveillinois.com takes about 10 minutes and is the fastest option if your license is not expired.
  • You can mail Form DL 505 to the Secretary of State with a piece of mail showing your new address, and the change takes two to three weeks.
  • Visiting a Secretary of State facility in person lets you change your address the same day, but you may wait in line.
  • Your old license remains valid after you change the address — you do not have to get a new card unless you want one.
  • A replacement card with your new address costs $20 and takes about two weeks if you order it online or by mail.

Changing your address online

Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and look for the "Online Services" section. Click on "Change Address" under driver's license services. You will need your current Illinois driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to enter your new address and confirm your email address.

After you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Your address change takes effect when ready in the Secretary of State's system, even though your physical card still shows the old address. If you want a replacement card printed with your new address, you can order one through the same online portal for $20.

This method works only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name since you got it. If either of those things is true, you will need to use the mail or in-person method instead.

Changing your address by mail

read or print Form DL 505 from the Secretary of State website, or call 217-782-6900 to request one. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. You must also include one piece of mail dated within the last 60 days that shows your new address — a utility bill, bank statement, lease, or government letter all work.

Mail the form and your proof of address to the address listed on the form itself, which is the Secretary of State's processing center in Springfield. Do not send your actual license card. The change takes two to three weeks after they receive it. You will not receive a confirmation in the mail — your address will straightforward be updated in their system.

If you want a replacement card with your new address, include a check or money order for $20 with your mailed form. Otherwise, your old card stays valid and you do not need to do anything else.

Changing your address in person at a Secretary of State facility

Find your nearest Secretary of State office on cyberdriveillinois.com using their facility locator. Bring your current driver's license and one piece of mail dated within the last 60 days showing your new address. You do not need to fill out any forms beforehand — staff will do that for you.

Walk in during business hours and tell the clerk you want to change your address. The change happens on the spot and is recorded when ready. Your old license card remains valid. If you want a replacement card with your new address printed on it, you can order one at the counter for $20, and it will arrive by mail in about two weeks.

Wait times vary by location and time of day. Weekday mornings are usually shorter than afternoons or weekends. Some facilities take appointments through their website, which can save you time.

What counts as proof of your new address

Your proof of address must be dated within the last 60 days and show your name and your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, water bill, gas bill, phone bill, bank or credit card statement, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or a government letter (such as from the IRS or a court). A piece of mail addressed to you at your new address works as long as it came from an official source.

A personal check, a letter from a friend, or a handwritten note does not count. 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 property manager for a signed letter on their letterhead confirming your move-in date and address.

Getting a replacement card with your new address

Your old license card stays valid even after you change your address online or by mail. The Secretary of State's system will show your new address, but the card in your wallet will still print the old one. This does not cause legal problems — police and businesses can look up your current address if they need to.

If you want a card that shows your new address, you can order a replacement for $20. Order it online through cyberdriveillinois.com at the same time you change your address, include it with your mailed form, or request it at a Secretary of State office. The replacement card takes about two weeks to arrive by mail. You do not have to order a replacement — it is entirely optional.

What happens if your license is expired

You cannot change your address online if your license has expired. Instead, use the mail method with Form DL 505 or visit a Secretary of State office in person. Both methods work for expired licenses as long as the license is not more than five years past expiration.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you will need to renew it instead of just changing the address. Renewal requires a new process and may require you to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been expired. Contact the Secretary of State to find out what you need to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my address on my license when I move?

Illinois law requires you to notify the Secretary of State of a change of address within 10 days of moving. You do not have to get a new card, but your address must be updated in their system. Changing it online, by mail, or in person all satisfy this requirement.

Can I change my address if my license is suspended or revoked?

No. You must restore your license first. Contact the Secretary of State to find out what you need to do to lift the suspension or revocation, then change your address once your license is valid again.

What if I moved to a different state?

You should get a driver's license in your new state instead of changing your Illinois address. Once you have a license in your new state, you can let your Illinois license expire or formally surrender it to the Secretary of State.

How long does it take to change my address online?

The online form takes about 10 minutes to fill out and submit. The change shows up in the Secretary of State's system within a few minutes. Your old card remains valid and does not need to be replaced unless you want one.

Can I change my address if I also need to correct my name or date of birth?

No. Address changes can only be done through the straightforward process described here. If you need to change your name or correct your date of birth, you must explore for a replacement license instead, which requires additional documents and a new process.