You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at an Alabama DMV office
Alabama allows you to update your driver's license address without getting a new license, as long as your license is still valid and you have not changed your name. The fastest route is online through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. If you prefer to handle it in person or by mail, both options are available, though they take longer and may require you to visit a DMV office.
The method you choose depends on whether you want to avoid a trip to the office and how soon you need the change recorded. Online is when ready for your record, but your physical license will still show the old address until it expires and you renew it. In-person and mail options follow the same rule: your address updates in the system right away, but the card itself does not change.
Key Takeaways
- Online address changes through the ALEA website are free and take about 10 minutes, with no office visit required.
- Your driver's license card will continue to show your old address until you renew your license, even after you update the address in the system.
- By mail, you need a completed form, proof of residency, and your current license; processing takes two to three weeks.
- In-person changes at a DMV office are processed the same day, but you must bring proof of your new address and your current license.
- You cannot change your address online if your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, or if you have changed your name.
How to change your address online
Go to the ALEA website and select the address change option under driver's license services. You will need your current Alabama driver's license number, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Enter your new address and review it for accuracy before submitting. The system will confirm the change when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number.
This method works only if your license is valid and not suspended or revoked. If you have changed your name, moved out of state, or your license has expired, you cannot use the online system and must visit a DMV office or mail in a form instead.
After you submit the change online, your address updates in the state's system right away. Police officers, courts, and the DMV will see your new address on their end. However, the physical card in your wallet will still print your old address until you renew your license at its expiration date.
Changing your address by mail
Complete the process for Alabama Driver's License or Identification Card (Form DL-44), available on the ALEA website. You do not need to fill out the entire form—only the sections for your name, address, and signature. Include a copy of your current driver's license and one document that proves your new address.
Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and new address dated within the last 60 days. Mail the form, your license copy, and proof of residency to the address listed on the ALEA website. Processing takes two to three weeks. You will not receive a new card; your address straightforward updates in the system.
Keep a copy of everything you mail for your records. If your documents do not arrive or are lost, you will have no proof you sent them. Some people photograph their documents before mailing as backup.
Changing your address in person at a DMV office
Visit any Alabama DMV office with your current driver's license and one document proving your new address. The same documents that work by mail work in person: utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. Tell the clerk you want to update your address only, not renew your license.
The clerk will verify your information, update your address in the system, and hand you a receipt. The change takes effect when ready. Your physical license still shows the old address, but your record in the state system reflects the new one. The entire visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the office is.
You do not need an appointment for an address change at most Alabama DMV offices, but calling ahead to confirm the office is open and not unusually crowded can save you a trip. Office hours and locations are listed on the ALEA website.
What counts as proof of your new address
Alabama requires a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and your new address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common choice because it is straightforward to obtain and clearly shows both. A lease agreement or mortgage statement works even if it is older, as long as it is the current lease or mortgage. Bank statements and credit card statements with your new address are also accepted.
Government mail counts if it is from a federal, state, or local agency and shows your name and address. This includes tax documents, voter registration confirmation, or mail from a court or government office. A piece of mail from your bank or insurance company with your new address also works.
Documents that do not work include cell phone bills (they often show a billing address different from where you live), letters from employers, or documents with only a PO box. If you are unsure whether a document will be accepted, call the DMV office before you go.
When you cannot change your address online
If your Alabama driver's license is expired, suspended, or revoked, you cannot use the online system. You must visit a DMV office in person or mail in a form. The same applies if you have changed your name—a name change requires a new license, not just an address update, and you will need to bring a court order or certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or name change document.
If you have moved out of state, you should get a new license from your new state rather than just updating your Alabama address. Some states allow you to keep an out-of-state license for a grace period, but it is not legal to drive with an address that does not match where you live. Check your new state's rules before you move.
If your license was lost or stolen, you cannot change the address on it—you need a replacement license instead. Contact the DMV office to report it and request a duplicate.
How long the address change takes
Online changes are when ready—your address updates in the state system as soon as you submit the form. By mail, expect two to three weeks from the time ALEA receives your envelope. In person, the change happens while you wait, usually within 15 to 30 minutes.
The delay with mail comes from processing time at the DMV office, not from mail delivery. If you need the change recorded quickly for a court case, insurance, or a job, going in person is the only way to may provide it happens the same day. If you mail your form on a Friday, it may not be processed until the following week.
Your physical license card and your address record are separate
This is the most common source of confusion: updating your address in the system does not change the card in your wallet. When a police officer runs your license, they see your new address on their computer. When you renew your license at expiration, the new card will print with your current address. But the plastic card you carry will show your old address until then.
This is normal and legal. You do not need a new card just because you moved. The address on your card is not what matters for insurance, voting, or most government purposes—what matters is the address in the state's system, which updates when ready when you change it online, by mail, or in person.
If you want a new card with your current address before your license expires, you would need to renew your license early, which costs the full renewal fee and is usually not worth it unless your license is expiring soon anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change my address if I move within Alabama?
Yes. Alabama law requires you to update your address within 10 days of moving. Driving with an outdated address on your license is not a crime, but it can cause problems with insurance, voting, and court notices. Updating it online takes 10 minutes and costs nothing, so it is worth doing right away.
What if I do not have proof of my new address yet?
If you just moved and have not received a utility bill or other document at your new address, a lease agreement or mortgage statement with your name and address works even if it is dated before you moved. If you have neither, wait until you receive a utility bill or other may have access to document. You cannot change your address without proof.
Will changing my address affect my insurance?
Your insurance company needs to know your address for billing and coverage purposes, but changing your address with the DMV does not automatically notify your insurer. Contact your insurance company separately to update your address. Some insurers may adjust your premium based on your new location.
Can I change my address if my license is suspended?
No. You cannot use the online system if your license is suspended or revoked. You must visit a DMV office in person or mail in a form. Bring your current license and proof of your new address, just as you would for any other address change.
What happens if I move out of state?
You should get a driver's license from your new state within the timeframe that state allows (usually 30 to 60 days). Keeping an Alabama license after you move out of state is not legal for driving purposes. Check your new state's requirements before you move to see what documents you will need.