Changing your address with Texas DPS means updating your driver's license or ID card records so mail and official documents reach you at your new home.
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains your address on file for your driver's license, ID card, and vehicle registration. When you move, you can update this address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. The method you choose depends on whether you need the change right away and whether you want to renew your license at the same time.
You do not need to get a new license just to change your address — Texas allows address-only updates that keep your current license number and expiration date. However, if your license is expiring soon or you want a new photo, you can combine the address change with a renewal.
Key Takeaways
- Texas lets you change your address online through the DPS website without visiting an office or paying a fee.
- Online changes take effect when ready, but your physical ID card will still show your old address until you renew it.
- If you need your ID to show your new address right away, you must visit a DPS office in person and may pay a replacement fee.
- You have 30 days after moving to update your address with DPS, though updating sooner prevents mail delays.
- Vehicle registration address changes follow the same process as driver's license updates and can be done at the same time.
Changing your address online through the DPS website
The fastest way to update your address is through the Texas DPS online portal. Go to the DPS website, select the option to change your address on your driver's license or ID card, and enter your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You will then enter your new address and confirm the change.
The online system processes your request when ready, and your address is updated in the DPS database the same day. You will receive a confirmation email. However, your physical ID card will continue to show your old address until your license expires and you renew it, or until you request a replacement card in person.
There is no fee for an address-only change made online. This method works for both driver's licenses and ID cards, and you can update your vehicle registration address at the same time through the same portal.
Updating your address in person at a DPS office
If you want your ID card to show your new address when ready, you must visit a DPS office and request a replacement card. Bring your current driver's license or ID card, proof of your new address (such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and proof of identity. If your name has changed, bring a document showing the name change as well.
A replacement card costs between $11 and $16, depending on the type of ID. The office will take a new photo and issue you a card with your new address on the spot, though you may wait several hours depending on how busy the office is. You can find your nearest DPS office and check wait times on the Texas DPS website.
You do not need an appointment for an address change at most DPS offices, but some locations offer online scheduling. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times can help you plan your visit.
Changing your address by mail
You can mail a request to update your address, though this method takes longer than online or in-person options. Fill out Form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License or ID Card) or Form DL-44 (process for Duplicate Driver License or ID Card), depending on whether you want to renew your license or just change the address on your current one.
Include your current license, proof of your new address, and a check or money order for the fee if you are requesting a replacement card. Mail the packet to the DPS address listed on the form. Processing typically takes two to three weeks, and you will receive your updated card by mail.
This option is useful if you cannot visit an office soon, but it means your address will not be updated in the system until DPS receives and processes your mail.
Updating your vehicle registration address
Your vehicle registration address should match your driver's license address. You can update your registration address online through the same DPS portal where you change your license address, or by visiting a DPS office or county tax assessor-collector's office.
If you update your address online, your registration records change when ready, but your physical registration card will show the old address until you renew your registration. If you need a new registration card with your current address, visit a tax assessor-collector's office in your county and request a duplicate registration. There is usually a small fee, typically between $5 and $10.
What counts as proof of your new address
DPS accepts several documents as proof of your new address. These include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a bank or credit card statement, or a government document with your name and address. The document must show your name and new address and typically must be dated within the last 60 days.
If you have just moved and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, you can use a signed lease agreement, a letter from your landlord on letterhead, or a notarized statement confirming your new address. Call your local DPS office to ask what documents they will accept in your situation.
The 30-day important date and what happens if you miss it
Texas law requires you to update your address with DPS within 30 days of moving. This important date is not strictly enforced with penalties, but updating late can cause problems: mail from DPS, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, or law enforcement may reach your old address, and you might miss important notices about license renewal or vehicle registration.
If you receive a notice at your old address after you have moved, contact DPS or the tax assessor-collector's office right away to confirm your current address is on file. Updating your address as soon as you move prevents these delays and ensures you receive all official mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address online if my license is expired?
No, the online system requires a valid or recently expired license. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew it in person at a DPS office. You can update your address as part of the renewal process.
Will my old address still work for identification after I change it online?
Your address is updated in the DPS system when ready, but your physical ID card shows your old address until you get a replacement or renew your license. If you are asked to show ID, the address on the card is what appears, even though your official record is current.
Do I have to change my vehicle registration address if I change my driver's license address?
You should update both, as they should match. However, there is no automatic link between them — changing one does not change the other. You can update your registration address through the same online portal or at your county tax assessor-collector's office.
What if I moved out of state but still have a Texas driver's license?
You can update your address online to an out-of-state address. However, if you plan to live in another state permanently, you should get a driver's license from that state instead. Keeping a Texas license while living elsewhere can cause problems with vehicle registration and insurance.
How long does it take to receive a replacement card with my new address?
If you get a replacement card in person at a DPS office, you receive it the same day. If you mail in a request, allow two to three weeks for processing and delivery. Online address changes update your record when ready but do not change your physical card until you renew or request a replacement.