You can change your Pennsylvania address online, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT office

Pennsylvania offers three ways to update your address on your driver's license or ID card. The fastest is online through the PennDOT website if your license is not suspended and you have not had a name change. If you need to change your name at the same time, or if your license is suspended, you must go to a PennDOT office in person. By mail is the slowest option but works if you prefer not to visit an office.

You do not need to pay a fee to change your address — PennDOT treats it as a routine update. Your new license or ID card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after your request is processed, regardless of which method you use.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method through the PennDOT website is the fastest if your license is valid and you are not changing your name.
  • You must visit a PennDOT office in person if your license is suspended, revoked, or if you are changing your name along with your address.
  • Mailing in a form takes longer but works if you cannot visit an office or do not have internet access.
  • Address changes are free and do not require a new photo or a new license number.
  • Your new card will be mailed to your old address unless you provide a temporary mailing address during the update.

Changing your address online through PennDOT

Go to the PennDOT website and select "Change Address" under the driver's license section. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The system will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history.

Online changes work only if your license is currently valid and not suspended or revoked. If you are changing your name, moving to a different county, or updating your address because of a court order, you cannot use the online method — you must visit an office instead.

After you submit your request online, PennDOT will mail your new card to the address you entered. If you want it sent somewhere other than your new home address (for example, to a workplace or a trusted friend's house), you can provide a temporary mailing address during the online process.

Changing your address in person at a PennDOT office

Bring your current driver's license or ID card, proof of your new address, and proof of identity. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Proof of identity can be your Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport.

You do not need an appointment at most PennDOT offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the PennDOT website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times before you go. Some offices are busier on certain days — early mornings and mid-week tend to have shorter lines.

If your license is suspended or revoked, you must go in person. The staff will update your address and issue a new card on the spot, though you will still receive the physical card by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are also changing your name, bring a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree as proof of the name change.

Changing your address by mail

read the DL-44 form from the PennDOT website or request one by phone at 717-787-2937. Fill in your current license number, new address, and sign the form. Include a copy of proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days) and mail everything to the address listed on the form.

Processing by mail takes 2 to 3 weeks longer than online or in-person updates. Your new card will be mailed to the address you provided on the form. If you want it sent to a temporary address instead, write a note with your request and include it with your form.

Do not send your original license with the form — PennDOT does not need it and you may need it for identification while you wait for the new one. Keep a copy of everything you mail for your records.

What happens to your old license and when you get your new card

Your old license remains valid until your new card arrives. You can use it for identification and driving during the 7 to 10 business days it takes for the new card to be printed and mailed. Once your new card arrives, your old one is no longer valid — you can destroy it or keep it as a record.

PennDOT will mail your new card to the address you provided during the update process. If you used the online method or mailed in a form, double-check that you entered your mailing address correctly, because cards sent to the wrong address are difficult to recover. If your card does not arrive within 10 business days, contact PennDOT to check the status.

Address changes and insurance, vehicle registration, and other documents

Updating your driver's license address does not automatically update your car insurance or vehicle registration. You must contact your insurance company separately to report your new address — most insurers require this within 30 days. Your insurance rates may change if you move to a different area, so tell them as soon as possible.

Vehicle registration is tied to your address on file with PennDOT's vehicle registration system, not your driver's license. When you renew your registration, you can update the address at that time, or you can update it separately through the PennDOT website or by mail. If you move and do not update your registration address, renewal notices will go to your old address and you may miss important date.

If you have an SR-22 or other court-ordered insurance document, your insurance company will need your new address to keep the filing current. Notify them when ready so they can update the paperwork with the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my address if I move to a different county in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Even if you stay within Pennsylvania, you must update your address on your driver's license. If you are moving to a different county, you cannot use the online method — you must visit a PennDOT office in person or mail in the DL-44 form.

What if I do not have proof of my new address yet?

You need a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and new address. If you just moved and do not have a utility bill or lease in your name yet, a signed lease agreement, a letter from your landlord on letterhead, or a mortgage statement can work. Contact the PennDOT office you plan to visit to confirm what they will accept.

Can I change my address if my license is suspended?

Yes, but you must do it in person at a PennDOT office. You cannot use the online method. Bring your current license, proof of your new address, and proof of identity. The suspension status does not prevent you from updating your address.

Will my new license have a different number?

No. Your license number stays the same when you change your address. The new card will have the same number, just with your updated address printed on it.

What if my new card gets lost in the mail?

Contact PennDOT as soon as you realize it is missing. They can issue a replacement card, though there may be a fee for a duplicate. In the meantime, your old license remains valid for identification and driving, so you are not without a valid ID.