Where to Update Your License and What You'll Need

You can update your Texas driver's license at any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. The fastest way is to visit in person with your current license and proof of your new address or legal name. If you're only changing your address, you can also renew or update online through the DPS website if your license is not expired and you have no medical conditions to report.

What you bring depends on what you're changing. For an address change, bring your current license and one document showing your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. For a name change due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring your current license, the legal document proving the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and a document with your new name on it.

You do not need to pass a new written test or vision test for an address-only update. If you're changing your name, DPS will take a new photo and issue a new card, but you won't retake the driving test.

Key Takeaways

  • Address changes can be done online if your license is not expired, or in person at any DPS office with your current license and one proof of address.
  • Name changes require a legal document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) and must be done in person at a DPS office.
  • You will receive a new physical card for name changes but not for address-only updates done online.
  • DPS offices accept appointments through their website, which usually reduces wait time compared to walk-ins.

Updating Your Address Online

The DPS website lets you change your address without visiting an office, but only if your license is still valid and you don't have medical restrictions or a commercial endorsement. You'll need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs no fee.

After you submit the change online, DPS updates your record when ready, but you won't receive a new physical card. Your old card remains valid — the address on it no longer matches your file, but that doesn't make the license itself invalid. If you want a card with your new address printed on it, you'll need to visit a DPS office and pay the replacement fee, which varies but is typically under $30.

Online updates work well if you've moved and want your record current for registration renewals or if you're getting mail sent to the wrong address. They don't work if your license has expired, if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), or if you've had a medical condition reported to DPS.

Changing Your Name in Person

Name changes always require a visit to a DPS office because you need a new photo and a new card. Bring your current license, the legal document that proves your name change, and one additional document with your new name on it — this could be a bank statement, utility bill, or insurance card.

The legal document must be an original or certified copy. A marriage certificate works for a name change after marriage. A divorce decree or final divorce order works for a name change after divorce. A court order for a legal name change works for any other reason. DPS staff will review the document, take a new photo, and issue your new license on the spot or within a few days, depending on the office's workload.

The fee for a name-change replacement is typically under $30. You'll keep your old license until the new one arrives, and both are valid until the new one is issued.

Using DPS Offices and Scheduling an Appointment

Every Texas DPS office can process address and name changes. You can find the office nearest you on the DPS website and see their hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have extended evening or Saturday hours.

DPS allows you to schedule an appointment online for most transactions, including license updates. Scheduling an appointment usually means a much shorter wait than walking in. If you schedule, arrive 10 minutes early with all your documents ready. If you walk in without an appointment, wait times vary widely — some offices have short lines, others can have waits of an hour or more, especially on Fridays or near the end of the month.

If you cannot visit during regular hours, check whether your local office offers evening or weekend appointments. Some DPS offices in larger cities do, though availability changes seasonally.

What Happens If Your License Is Expired

If your license has expired, you cannot update it online — you must visit a DPS office in person. You'll need to renew your license at the same time you update your address or name. A renewal requires your current (expired) license, proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The process is the same as a regular renewal, except you'll also provide the legal document for your name change if that applies.

Renewal fees vary depending on how long your license has been expired and whether you're renewing for four or six years. An expired license can still be used as proof of identity for the renewal transaction, so bring it even though it's no longer valid for driving.

If your license expired more than two years ago, DPS may require you to retake the written test and vision test, depending on your age and the reason for the lapse. Call your local DPS office or check the website to confirm what you'll need before you visit.

Replacing a Lost or Damaged License While Updating

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can replace it and update your address or name in the same visit. Bring your proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number — the same documents you'd bring for a renewal. If you're also changing your name, bring the legal document for that change.

You do not need to report a lost license to police before replacing it, though you can if you want a record. DPS will issue a new license with a new number. The old license becomes invalid once the new one is issued.

If your license was damaged in a way that makes it unreadable, bring it with you so DPS can see the damage. If it's lost or stolen, you don't need to bring anything — just tell the DPS staff member what happened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address without going to a DPS office?

Yes, if your license is not expired and you have no medical restrictions. Use the DPS website to update your address online for free. You won't get a new card, but your record updates when ready. If you want a new card with your updated address, you'll need to visit an office and pay a replacement fee.

How long does it take to get a new license after a name change?

DPS usually issues the new card on the spot or within a few days. Some offices print licenses in-house and hand them to you before you leave. Others mail them within a week. Call your local DPS office to ask whether they print on-site.

What if I don't have a birth certificate or Social Security card?

You don't need the original documents. Bring documents that show your identity and Social Security number — a passport, military ID, or previous license works for identity. For Social Security, a tax return, W-2, or Social Security statement works. DPS accepts many forms of proof.

Do I need an appointment to update my address or name?

Appointments are not required, but they are strongly recommended. Scheduling an appointment online usually cuts your wait time from an hour or more to 15 minutes or less. Walk-ins are accepted, but waits depend on how busy the office is that day.

Can I update my license if I have a suspended or revoked license?

You can update your address or name even if your license is suspended or revoked. The update does not affect the suspension or revocation status. Visit a DPS office with your documents, and staff will process the change. Your license will still be suspended or revoked after the update.