How to Change Your Address on a Texas Driver's License

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

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you update your address without renewing your license early. The fastest route is online through the DPS website if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name. If your license is expired, damaged, or you need to change your name at the same time, you will need to visit a DPS office or mail in a form. Most address changes take effect when ready online or within two weeks by mail.

You do not need to pay a fee to change your address alone. However, if you are renewing your license at the same time or replacing a damaged card, different fees explore. The process is straightforward once you know which method works for your situation.

Key Takeaways

Online address changes work only if your license is current and you have not changed your name; the change takes effect right away.
If your license is expired or you are changing your name, you must visit a DPS office in person or mail in Form DL-43.
You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and new address to change your address online.
Mailed forms take about two weeks to process, while in-person visits at a DPS office are usually completed the same day.
You do not pay a fee for an address-only change, but you will pay if you renew your license or replace a damaged card at the same time.

Changing your address online through the DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS website and look for the "Change Address Online" option under the driver's license section. You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and the new address you want on file. The system will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your driving record and personal history.

Once you complete the online form and submit it, your address change takes effect when ready in the DPS system. You do not receive a new physical card in the mail — your current license remains valid with the old address printed on it until it expires. If you need the new address to appear on a physical card right away, you will have to renew your license or visit a DPS office to request a replacement card.

The online method works only if your license is not expired and you are not changing your name at the same time. If either of those conditions applies to you, skip to the in-person or mail-in sections below.

Changing your address in person at a DPS office

Find your nearest DPS driver's license office using the office locator on the Texas DPS website. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency, and proof of identity. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days and showing your new address. Proof of identity can be your Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, or military ID.

Walk in during office hours or schedule an appointment online if your location offers it. Tell the clerk you want to change your address. If your license is current and you are only changing the address, there is no fee. The clerk will update your information in the system, and you will walk out with a new physical card showing your new address. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

If your license is expired or damaged, the clerk will handle the replacement or renewal at the same time. You will pay the appropriate fee for that service — renewal fees vary based on how long your new license will be valid, and replacement fees are separate from address-change fees.

Changing your address by mail

read Form DL-43 (Change of Address) from the Texas DPS website. Fill in your driver's license number, current name, new address, and sign the form. You do not need to include copies of your documents — the DPS will verify your information against what they have on file.

Mail the completed form to the address listed on the form itself, which is the DPS mailbox in Austin. Include a note with your phone number or email so DPS can contact you if there are any problems. The address change will be processed within two weeks of receipt, though it often happens faster.

Like the online method, mailing in a form updates your address in the DPS system but does not send you a new physical card. Your current license remains valid with the old address until it expires. If you need a new card with the updated address printed on it, you will have to renew your license or visit a DPS office to request a replacement.

What counts as proof of residency

Proof of residency must show your new address and be dated within the last 30 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone), a lease agreement or rental contract, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, an insurance policy, or a government check or benefit statement. The document must have your name and the new address printed on it.

If you do not have any of these documents yet — for example, if you just moved and have not received a utility bill at the new address — ask the DPS office what alternatives they accept. Some offices will accept a signed letter from a landlord or property manager on letterhead, or a notarized statement from someone who lives at the address with you. Call ahead to confirm what your local office will take.

If your license is expired or damaged

An expired license can still be used to change your address online if it expired fewer than two years ago. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew it in person at a DPS office or by mail. A damaged license (cracked, faded, or unreadable) requires a replacement card, which you can request at the same time you change your address.

When you renew or replace your license in person, the clerk will update your address at the same time at no extra charge. You will pay the renewal or replacement fee, but not a separate address-change fee. By mail, you can submit Form DL-43 along with a renewal or replacement process, though processing will take longer because the DPS handles renewals and replacements separately from straightforward address changes.

Changing your address if you also changed your name

If you changed your name — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — you cannot change your address online. You must visit a DPS office in person or mail in the appropriate form. Bring your current driver's license and a certified copy of the document that shows your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

At a DPS office, the clerk will update both your name and address and issue a new card on the spot. By mail, submit Form DL-43 along with a copy of your name-change document. Processing takes longer because the DPS has to verify the name change before updating your record. Plan for two to four weeks if you are mailing in both changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. An online address change updates your information in the DPS system but does not send you a new card. Your current license remains valid with the old address printed on it. If you need a card with the new address, you must renew your license or visit a DPS office to request a replacement card.

How long does it take to change my address by mail?

Mailed address changes are usually processed within two weeks of the DPS receiving your form. Delivery time depends on how long it takes your mail to reach Austin. If you need the change to take effect faster, visit a DPS office in person instead.

What if I do not have proof of residency yet?

Call your local DPS office and ask what documents they accept as alternatives. Some offices will accept a signed letter from your landlord on letterhead, a notarized statement from someone you live with, or other documents showing your new address. Having options in advance saves a trip.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can change your address online. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew it at a DPS office or by mail. Renewing and changing your address at the same time costs only the renewal fee — there is no extra charge for the address change.

Is there a fee to change my address?

No fee applies if you are only changing your address on a current license. If you renew your license, replace a damaged card, or change your name at the same time, you will pay the fee for that service, but not an additional address-change fee.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.