You can change your Texas car registration address online, by mail, or in person at a county tax assessor-collector's office

Texas lets you update your registration address without renewing your entire registration. The fastest route is the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, which takes about 10 minutes if you have your vehicle identification number (VIN) and current registration handy. If you prefer not to go online, you can mail a form to your county tax assessor-collector or walk into their office with your documents. The address change itself costs nothing — there is no fee.

The method you choose depends on what information you have available and how quickly you need the change recorded. Online is fastest. Mail takes one to two weeks. In-person is when ready but requires a trip during business hours. All three routes end with the same result: your registration address updates in the state system, and your next renewal notice goes to your new address.

Key Takeaways

  • The Texas DMV website (texas.gov/motor-vehicles) lets you change your address online without paying a fee or visiting an office.
  • You will need your VIN, current registration number, and the last four digits of your driver's license or ID to use the online method.
  • If you do not have online access or prefer to mail the change, use Form VTR-130 (Address Change) and send it to your county tax assessor-collector's office.
  • An in-person address change at your county tax assessor-collector's office takes a few minutes and is effective when ready.
  • You do not need to renew your registration to change your address — the two are separate transactions.

Changing your address online through the Texas DMV website

Go to texas.gov/motor-vehicles and look for the "Online Services" section. Click on "Change Address" or search for "address change" on the site. You will be taken to a form that asks for your VIN (found on your registration card or vehicle dashboard), your current registration number, and the last four digits of your driver's license or state ID.

Enter your new address exactly as you want it to appear on your registration. Double-check the spelling and zip code — this is what the state will have on file. Once you submit, the system confirms the change when ready. You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Your registration documents do not change; the address update happens in the state database only.

If the online system will not accept your information, it usually means your registration is not yet in the state's online system (this can happen with very recent registrations) or your VIN does not match what the state has on file. In that case, use the mail or in-person method instead.

Mailing an address change form to your county tax assessor-collector

read or request Form VTR-130 (Address Change) from the Texas DMV website or from your county tax assessor-collector's office. Fill in your current registration information, your VIN, and your new address. Sign and date the form. Include a copy of your current registration card if you have it.

Mail the form to your county tax assessor-collector's office. You can find the mailing address on the Texas DMV website by searching for your county. Mail typically takes one to two weeks to process. Once processed, you will not receive a new registration card — your address straightforward updates in the state system. Your next renewal notice will go to your new address.

Keep a copy of the form for your records. If you need proof that you submitted the change, you can request a replacement registration card from the same office, though this usually costs a small fee (typically $5 to $10, depending on your county).

Changing your address in person at the tax assessor-collector's office

Bring your current registration card and a valid driver's license or state ID to your county tax assessor-collector's office. Tell the staff member you want to change your address. They will ask you to fill out Form VTR-130 or enter the information into their system directly. The process takes a few minutes.

Once complete, the address change is recorded when ready in the state system. You do not receive a new registration card unless you request one (and pay the replacement fee). Your next renewal notice will go to your new address. If you want proof of the change right away, ask the office for a receipt or confirmation document.

Find your county tax assessor-collector's office location and hours on the Texas DMV website. Some offices are busier than others, so calling ahead or checking wait times online can save you time. Many counties now offer online appointment scheduling.

What happens if you move but do not update your address

Your registration remains valid even if your address is outdated. The state will not penalize you for having an old address on file. However, your renewal notice will go to your old address, and you might miss it. If you do not renew on time, your registration lapses and you cannot legally drive the vehicle.

Additionally, if you are pulled over and your address does not match your current residence, a police officer may ask why. While an outdated address alone is not a violation, it can raise questions. Updating your address keeps your registration documents consistent with your actual situation.

Changing your address when you also need to renew your registration

If your registration is expiring soon or has already expired, you can renew and change your address at the same time. You can renew online through the Texas DMV website, by mail, or in person. When you renew, you will be asked to confirm or update your address as part of the renewal process.

Renewing online is the fastest option and takes about 15 minutes. You will pay the renewal fee (which varies by vehicle type, typically $50 to $90) plus any applicable county or local fees. Once you renew, your new registration card will be mailed to your updated address within one to two weeks.

If you renew in person at the tax assessor-collector's office, bring your current registration card, driver's license, and proof of insurance. The office will process the renewal and address change together, and you can leave with a temporary registration document that is valid until your new card arrives by mail.

Documents and information you will need

For any address change method, have these items ready: your current registration card or number, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and your new address. If you are changing your address in person, bring a valid driver's license or state ID as well.

If your registration card is lost or damaged, you can still change your address online using your VIN and registration number. If you do not have your registration number, you can look it up on the Texas DMV website using your VIN and driver's license information, or call your county tax assessor-collector's office for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Online changes are recorded when ready. Mail takes one to two weeks. In-person changes are when ready. Once recorded, your next renewal notice will go to your new address.

Do I need to get new registration plates when I change my address?

No. Your plates stay the same. Only your address record updates. You do not receive a new registration card unless you request one and pay a replacement fee.

Can I change my address if my registration is expired?

Yes, but you should renew at the same time. An expired registration is not valid for driving, so handle both the renewal and address change together. You can do this online, by mail, or in person.

What if I moved out of state — do I still need to update my Texas address?

If you no longer live in Texas and have registered a vehicle in your new state, you should not keep an active Texas registration. Contact your county tax assessor-collector about surrendering your Texas registration. If you still own the vehicle but live elsewhere temporarily, updating your address to your current location is still a good idea.

Is there a fee to change my address?

No. Changing your address costs nothing. You only pay a fee if you request a replacement registration card or renew your registration at the same time.