Where and how to change your address on your Texas vehicle registration

You can update your vehicle registration address through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) online, by mail, or in person at a local DMV office. The online method is fastest — you log into your account on the DMV website, select the vehicle, and submit the new address. By mail, you send a completed form with proof of your new address to the DMV's Austin office. In person, you bring your registration card and a document showing your current address to any DMV office and they process it on the spot.

Texas does not require you to re-register your vehicle when you move — you only need to update the address on file. This is different from some states that treat an address change as a registration renewal. The DMV keeps your registration active; the address update straightforward tells them where to send future notices and documents.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method through the DMV website is the fastest option and requires only your registration number, driver's license number, and the new address.
  • By mail, you send form VTR-130 (Address Change) with a utility bill, lease, or other proof of your new address to the DMV in Austin.
  • In-person updates at a local DMV office take minutes and require your current registration card and one document showing your new address.
  • Texas does not charge a fee to update your registration address, and the change does not affect your registration expiration date.
  • You should update your address before you receive a notice at your old address, because the DMV will mail renewal reminders and other documents to the address on file.

Online address change through the DMV website

Go to the Texas DMV website and select "Change Address" under the vehicle registration section. You will need your vehicle registration number (found on your registration card), your driver's license number, and your new address. The system will ask you to confirm the vehicle details and then submit the new address. Once submitted, the change takes effect when ready in the DMV system.

The online method works for most vehicles registered in Texas. If your vehicle is registered under a business name or a lien holder has a claim on it, you may not be able to change the address online — in that case, use the mail or in-person method instead. The DMV website will tell you whether your vehicle is may be able to access before you complete the submission.

Updating by mail with form VTR-130

read or request form VTR-130 (Address Change) from the DMV website or pick one up at a local office. Fill in your name, driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the new address. Attach one document that shows your new address — a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government-issued ID with the new address all work.

Mail the completed form and proof of address to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, 4000 Jackson Avenue, Austin, TX 78731. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. Keep a copy of what you send for your records. If you want to track the status, note the date you mail it and call the DMV if you do not see the change reflected in your account after three weeks.

In-person address change at a DMV office

Visit any Texas DMV office with your current registration card and one document showing your new address. The office staff will verify the information, update the address in the system, and you will receive a new registration card in the mail within one to two weeks. Some offices allow you to request a temporary registration document on the spot while you wait for the new card.

Bring your driver's license as well, even though it is not always required — it speeds up the process. DMV offices are busiest on Mondays and mid-month, so visiting on a Tuesday through Thursday afternoon usually means a shorter wait. You do not need an appointment for an address change at most offices, but some locations now use an online check-in system — check the DMV website for your local office's process.

What documents count as proof of your new address

The DMV accepts a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a government-issued ID with your new address, or a property tax bill. The document must show your name and the new address clearly. It does not have to be recent — documents from the past 60 days work, though older documents are sometimes accepted if they are the only proof available.

If you just moved and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, a signed lease agreement from your landlord or a notarized statement of residency can work. Some DMV offices are flexible with timing if you can explain that you moved recently. Call your local office ahead of time if you are unsure whether your document will be accepted.

Timeline and what happens after you update

Online changes take effect when ready. Mail submissions take two to three weeks. In-person updates are when ready in the system, though your new registration card arrives by mail in one to two weeks. During the waiting period, your old registration card is still valid — you do not need to stop driving.

Once the address is updated, the DMV will send all future documents to the new address. This includes registration renewal notices (which arrive 60 days before expiration), vehicle inspection reminders, and any notices related to your registration. If you are moving out of state, update your address before you leave Texas, or contact the DMV to confirm the change went through before your registration expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to update my address before I move, or can I do it after?

You can update it after you move. However, the DMV mails renewal notices to the address on file, so if you wait too long and miss a renewal notice, you may not realize your registration is about to expire. It is safer to update before you move or within a few days of moving.

Will updating my address change my registration expiration date?

No. Your registration expiration date stays the same. An address change is not a renewal — it only updates where the DMV sends your mail. Your registration will still expire on the same month and year it was set to expire.

What if I have a lien on my vehicle?

If a lender or lienholder has a claim on your vehicle, you may not be able to change the address online. Use the mail method with form VTR-130, or visit a DMV office in person. The lienholder's address may also appear on your registration card — the DMV will update your address but the lienholder's address may remain separate.

Can I update the address for a vehicle registered under a business name?

Business-registered vehicles usually require the mail or in-person method. Bring the registration card and proof of the business's new address (a utility bill for the business location, a lease, or a business license). The DMV will update the address on file.

What if I move out of state?

If you are moving to another state, you do not need to update your Texas address. However, you will need to register your vehicle in the new state within the timeframe that state requires — usually 30 to 60 days after you move. Check the new state's DMV website for their registration process.