Change your address with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles online, by mail, or in person at a local office
You can update your address on your Texas vehicle registration without renewing your registration early. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) lets you change your address through their online portal, by mail, or by visiting a local office in person. The online method is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and you receive confirmation when ready. If you prefer mail or in-person service, allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing.
You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration number, and the driver's license or ID you used when you registered the vehicle. If someone else registered the vehicle in their name, only that person can request the address change unless they have given you power of attorney.
Key Takeaways
- The Texas DMV online portal is the fastest way to change your address — you can do it in 10 minutes from home and get when ready confirmation.
- You will need your VIN, current registration number, and the ID used at registration to make the change.
- If your registration expires within 60 days, you may need to renew instead of just changing your address — the system will tell you which one applies.
- Changing your address does not change your registration expiration date or cost any fee.
- If you registered the vehicle in someone else's name, only that person can request the address change unless they have signed a power of attorney form.
Change your address online through the Texas DMV portal
Go to txdmv.gov and select "Online Services" from the main menu. Click "Change Address" under the vehicle registration section. You will be asked to enter your VIN, current registration number, and the last four digits of the Social Security number or tax ID used at registration. The system will pull up your registration record.
Enter your new address exactly as you want it to appear on your registration. Double-check the spelling and zip code — the DMV uses this address for all future correspondence and renewal notices. Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation number on screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. Your address change takes effect when ready, and you do not need to do anything else.
If the system tells you that you cannot change your address online because your registration expires within 60 days, you will need to renew your registration instead. This costs the standard renewal fee and extends your registration for two more years. You can still do this online through the same portal.
Change your address by mail
read the "process for Texas Title or Registration" form (Form VTR 130-U) from txdmv.gov, or call the DMV at 1-888-368-4689 to request it by mail. Fill in Section 4 (Address Change) with your new address. Sign and date the form, then mail it to the address listed on the form — this varies by county, so check the instructions carefully.
Include a copy of your current registration and a copy of your driver's license or ID. Do not send originals. Mail everything to the address on the form instructions. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. You will receive a new registration card by mail at your new address once the change is complete.
Change your address in person at a DMV office
Locate your nearest DMV office at txdmv.gov by entering your zip code. Bring your current registration card, your driver's license or ID, and your vehicle's VIN (you can find this on your registration or on the dashboard at the base of the windshield on the driver's side). You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations accept them — check the office page before you go.
Tell the clerk you want to change your address. They will update your record on the spot and print a new registration card for you before you leave. This is the fastest in-person option if you have a local office nearby. If the office is busy, wait times can range from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the time of day.
What happens if you move before your registration expires
Changing your address does not extend your registration or cost a fee. Your registration expiration date stays the same. When your registration is due to renew, the DMV will send the renewal notice to your new address, so make sure the address change goes through before the renewal notice would have been mailed to your old address.
If you move and do not update your address, you risk missing renewal notices and driving with an expired registration. Texas law requires your registration address to match your current residence. If you are stopped by law enforcement and your address on file does not match where you actually live, you may be cited.
If the vehicle is registered in someone else's name
Only the person whose name appears on the registration can request an address change. If you are not that person, you have two options: ask the registered owner to make the change themselves using one of the three methods above, or have the registered owner sign a power of attorney form giving you authority to handle registration matters on their behalf.
The power of attorney form is "Appointment of Agent" (Form VTR 130-U, Section 5). The registered owner must sign it in front of a notary public. Once notarized, you can use it to change the address online, by mail, or in person. This is common when a spouse, adult child, or business partner handles vehicle registration for someone else.
Common issues and what to do
If the online system says your VIN or registration number is not found, double-check that you entered them correctly. The VIN is 17 characters and appears on your registration card. If you still cannot find your record online, call the DMV at 1-888-368-4689 and provide your name and VIN — they can tell you whether your registration is active and help you locate the correct number.
If you moved out of state and still own the vehicle, you do not need to change your Texas address if you no longer live in Texas. You will need to register the vehicle in your new state instead. Contact that state's DMV for instructions on how to transfer your registration.
If you change your address and then realize you made a typo, you can change it again using any of the three methods. There is no limit to how many times you can update your address, and each change is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my address if I move to a different city in Texas?
Yes. Texas law requires your vehicle registration address to match where you currently live. You should change it within a reasonable time after moving. There is no specific important date, but updating it promptly ensures you receive renewal notices and any DMV correspondence at the correct address.
Will changing my address affect my car insurance?
No. Your car insurance and vehicle registration are separate. However, you should notify your insurance company of your address change separately, as they use it to calculate your premium and send you policy documents. Contact your insurance agent or company directly to update that information.
Can I change my address if my registration is expired?
No. You must renew your registration first. Once it is active again, you can then change your address. If your registration has been expired for more than two years, you may need to explore for a new registration rather than a renewal — call the DMV at 1-888-368-4689 to find out which applies to you.
How long does it take to receive my new registration card in the mail?
If you change your address online or in person, the new card is printed when ready or mailed within 1 to 2 weeks. If you change your address by mail, allow 2 to 4 weeks total from the date the DMV receives your envelope. If you do not receive it within that timeframe, call the DMV to check the status.
What if I change my address but then move again before the new card arrives?
You can change your address as many times as you need. straightforward request another address change using any of the three methods. The DMV will send the registration card to your most recent address on file.