What You Can Change on a Texas Driver's License

You can change your name, address, or physical description on your Texas driver's license without getting a new license type. You can also change your sex designation if you meet Texas requirements. Some changes require you to visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person; others can be done by mail or online. The method depends on what you are changing and whether your current license is still valid.

Texas does not charge a fee for address changes made online or by mail. Name changes, sex designation changes, and changes made in person at a DPS office require you to pay the standard renewal fee, even if your license is not expiring soon. If you are changing your address only and your license is valid, you can avoid the fee by using the online or mail method.

Key Takeaways

  • Address changes can be made free online through the Texas DPS website if your license is still valid and you have not changed your name or sex designation.
  • Name changes require a court order and an in-person visit to a DPS office, plus payment of the renewal fee.
  • Sex designation changes require a court order or a physician's letter and must be done in person at a DPS office.
  • You can update your address by mail for free by sending a completed form and a copy of your current license to the DPS address on their website.
  • Physical description changes (height, weight, eye color) are usually made during renewal or at a DPS office visit.

Changing Your Address Online or by Mail

An address change is the fastest and cheapest option if that is the only thing you need to update. If your Texas driver's license is still valid and you have not changed your name or sex designation, you can change your address for free using the Texas DPS online system. Go to the DPS website, log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, and follow the prompts to update your mailing address. The change takes effect when ready, though your physical license card will not change.

If you prefer not to use the online system, you can mail a completed form to the DPS. Use form DL-43 (Change of Address), available on the DPS website. Include a copy of your current driver's license and mail it to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two weeks. You will not receive a new card; your address will be updated in the DPS system only.

Do not use the mail method if you have also changed your name or sex designation. Those changes require an in-person visit and additional documents.

Changing Your Name on Your License

A name change requires a court order from a Texas district court. You cannot change your name at the DPS office without one. If you have already obtained a court order (for example, through marriage, divorce, or a legal name change petition), bring the original or a certified copy to a DPS office.

Visit any DPS office in Texas with the following documents: your current driver's license, your court order, and proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). You will pay the standard renewal fee, which varies but is typically around $16 for a four-year license or $32 for an eight-year license. Your new license will show your updated name and will be mailed to your address on file within one to two weeks.

If you are changing your name and your address at the same time, do both during the same DPS visit. Bring the court order and your proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).

Changing Your Sex Designation

Texas allows you to change the sex designation on your driver's license. You must visit a DPS office in person and provide either a court order or a letter from a physician licensed in Texas. The physician's letter must state that you have undergone or are undergoing appropriate clinical treatment for a change of sex. The letter does not need to specify what treatment; it only needs to confirm that clinical treatment is happening or has happened.

Bring your current driver's license, the court order or physician's letter, and proof of your Social Security number to the DPS office. You will pay the renewal fee. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within one to two weeks and will show your updated sex designation.

If you are also changing your name or address, bring all required documents for those changes as well and complete everything in one visit.

Changing Your Physical Description

Changes to your height, weight, eye color, or hair color are usually made during a license renewal or at a DPS office visit. You do not need a court order or special documentation for these changes. If your appearance has changed significantly since your license was issued and you want to update it before renewal, visit any DPS office with your current license.

The DPS will take a new photo and update your physical description in the system. You will pay the renewal fee. Your new license will be mailed within one to two weeks. If you are only updating your physical description and your license is not expiring soon, this is not required—you can wait until your renewal date to make the change for free.

What Happens at the DPS Office

When you visit a DPS office to change your name, sex designation, or physical description, bring all required documents and be prepared to wait. DPS offices do not take appointments in most locations, so arrival time varies. Bring your current driver's license, the specific documents required for your change (court order, physician's letter, proof of address, or proof of Social Security number), and payment for the renewal fee if applicable.

The DPS staff will verify your documents, take a new photo, and process your request. You will receive a receipt showing your new license number and expected mailing date. Your new physical card will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Your old license is no longer valid once the new one is issued.

Timeline and What to Expect

Address changes made online take effect when ready. Address changes made by mail take about two weeks to process. Name changes, sex designation changes, and physical description changes all require an in-person DPS visit and result in a new license card being mailed to you, which takes one to two weeks after your office visit.

During the waiting period, your old license is still valid for identification purposes. You do not need to request a temporary license. If you need your new license urgently, some DPS offices offer expedited mail service for an additional fee—ask at your local office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay a fee to change my address?

No, if you change your address only using the online system or by mail. If you visit a DPS office in person to change your address, or if you are changing your address along with your name or sex designation, you will pay the renewal fee.

Can I change my name without a court order?

No. Texas requires a court order for any name change on your driver's license. If you have been married, divorced, or legally changed your name, you must have the court order with you when you visit the DPS office.

What if I lost my court order for a name change?

Contact the Texas district court that issued the order and request a certified copy. You will need to provide the case number or the date the order was issued. The court can mail or email you a certified copy, which the DPS will accept.

How long does it take to get my new license after I visit the DPS office?

One to two weeks by mail. You will receive a receipt at the office showing the expected mailing date. Your old license remains valid during this time.

Can I change my sex designation with a letter from my doctor instead of a court order?

Yes. Texas accepts either a court order or a letter from a Texas-licensed physician stating that you have undergone or are undergoing appropriate clinical treatment for a change of sex. The letter does not need to describe the treatment in detail.