Update your address online, by mail, or in person at the DMV

California allows you to change your driver's license address through three routes: the DMV website (fastest), mail with a form, or an in-person visit to a DMV office. You do not need to renew your license or pay a fee to change your address. The address change takes effect when ready online; if you use mail or visit in person, the DMV processes it within 1 to 2 weeks and mails you a replacement card with the new address printed on it.

Your address must match what the DMV has on file for your vehicle registration as well. If you have moved but have not updated your vehicle registration yet, do that first through the same online portal or at the same time you change your license address — the two are linked in the DMV system.

Key Takeaways

  • The DMV online portal (at dmv.ca.gov) is the fastest route and updates your address when ready without mailing you a new card unless you request one.
  • You can mail a completed DL 43 form (Change of Address) to the DMV address listed on the form, and they will process it within 1 to 2 weeks.
  • In-person visits to any DMV office require no appointment for address changes and take about 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Your new address must match your vehicle registration address in the DMV system, or you may receive notices at the old address.
  • A replacement card with your new address printed on it is mailed to you after a mail or in-person change, but not after an online change unless you request it.

Online address change through the DMV website

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Change Address" under the "Manage Your Account" section. You will need your California driver's license or ID card number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You will also need to enter your new address and confirm it matches your vehicle registration address if you own a vehicle.

After you submit the change online, it is recorded in the DMV system when ready. You do not receive a new physical card in the mail unless you request one during the process. If you want a replacement card printed with your new address, select that option before you finish. The replacement card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

The online method works only if your license is valid and not suspended. If your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, you must use the mail or in-person method instead.

Mail-in address change using the DL 43 form

read or print the DL 43 form (Change of Address) from dmv.ca.gov. Fill in your name, driver's license number, date of birth, old address, and new address. Sign and date the form. You do not need to include any documents or payment.

Mail the completed form to the DMV address printed on the form itself. Processing takes 1 to 2 weeks from the date the DMV receives it. A replacement card with your new address will be mailed to your new address after processing is complete. If you want to confirm receipt, you can call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133, but this is not required.

Keep a copy of the form for your records. If you are moving out of state or to a new county, mail is often slower than an in-person visit because the DMV may route your form to a regional office first.

In-person address change at a DMV office

Walk into any DMV office in California with your valid driver's license or ID card and a document showing your new address. Acceptable address documents include a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. You do not need an appointment for an address change.

Tell the clerk you need to change your address. They will update it in the system and print a replacement card on the spot. The new card is valid when ready. Processing takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is. Bring your Social Security number or have it memorized, as the DMV will ask for it to verify your identity.

If you do not have a current address document with you, the DMV will not process the change that day. You will need to return with one of the acceptable documents listed above. Some offices are busier than others; check wait times on the DMV website before you go.

What happens if your address and registration do not match

If you change your driver's license address but do not update your vehicle registration address, the DMV will send registration renewal notices and vehicle-related mail to your old address. This can cause you to miss renewal important date or not receive important notices about your vehicle.

Update your registration address at the same time you update your license address. You can do this online through the DMV website, by mail using the REG 14 form, or in person at a DMV office. If you have already changed your license address online, you can go back to the same portal and update your registration in a separate transaction.

Common mistakes and what to avoid

Do not assume your address change is complete after you submit it online. Check your DMV account a few days later to confirm the change went through. Occasionally the system rejects an address if it does not match postal records exactly — for example, if you enter "Street" instead of "St." or include a suite number incorrectly.

Do not forget to update your vehicle registration address if you own a car. Many people change their license address and then receive registration renewal notices at their old address because the registration was never updated. These are two separate records in the DMV system.

Do not mail the form to a DMV office address you find online without checking the form itself. The DL 43 form lists the correct mailing address, and sending it elsewhere will delay processing by several days.

Timeline and what to expect after you change your address

If you change your address online, the update is when ready in the DMV system. If you request a replacement card, it arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you do not request a replacement card, your current card remains valid with the old address printed on it, but the DMV's records show your new address.

If you change your address by mail, the DMV receives and processes the form within 1 to 2 weeks. A replacement card is automatically mailed to your new address and arrives 7 to 10 business days after processing. During this time, your old card is still valid for identification purposes.

If you change your address in person, the replacement card is printed and given to you when ready. You can use it right away. If you do not want a replacement card (for example, if your current card is relatively new), you can ask the clerk not to print one, though this is uncommon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to change my address on my California driver's license?

No. Address changes are free. You only pay if you request a replacement card and your current card is not damaged or expiring soon, but even then the replacement card itself has no fee — you are only paying for the replacement service if the DMV charges one, which it does not for address changes.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

No, not online. If your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, you must use the mail method with the DL 43 form or visit a DMV office in person. You will need to bring an acceptable address document to prove your new address.

How long does it take to get a replacement card after I change my address?

If you change your address online and request a replacement card, it arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you change your address by mail, the replacement card is mailed after the DMV processes the form (1 to 2 weeks) and arrives 7 to 10 business days later. If you change your address in person, you receive the replacement card when ready.

What if I move again before my replacement card arrives?

Contact the DMV before your replacement card is mailed and provide your new address. You can do this by calling 1-800-777-0133 or by submitting another address change online if your license is still valid. This prevents the card from being mailed to an address you no longer use.

Can I change my address at the same time I renew my license?

Yes. If you are renewing your license online or in person, you can update your address as part of the renewal process. This is often faster than making two separate trips to the DMV or submitting two separate forms.