Maryland MVA address change: online, by mail, or in person
You can change your address with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration in three ways: online through the MVA website (fastest, if your license is not expired), by mail with a completed form, or in person at any MVA office. The online method takes minutes and costs nothing. Mail and in-person changes both require the same form — the DL/ID-44 — and take 7 to 10 business days to process after the MVA receives it.
Maryland does not charge a fee to update your address on an active driver's license or ID card. You do not need to renew your license early or provide proof of residency unless you are also changing your name or correcting other information on the card itself.
Your new address becomes official once the MVA processes the change. You will receive a confirmation notice by mail at your new address within 10 business days. If you need the change to take effect when ready for insurance or registration purposes, an in-person visit is your only option, because the MVA can print a temporary document on the spot.
Key Takeaways
- The MVA online address change tool is free and takes 5 to 10 minutes if your license is current and not expired.
- By mail, you submit form DL/ID-44 with no supporting documents required for address-only changes, and processing takes 7 to 10 business days.
- In-person visits at any MVA office let you walk out with a temporary document showing your new address the same day.
- Maryland charges no fee for address changes on an active license or ID card.
- You must use the in-person or mail method if your license is expired; the online tool will not accept expired credentials.
Online address change through the MVA website
Go to mva.maryland.gov and select "Change Address Online" from the main menu. You will need your current driver's license or ID card number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity against MVA records before letting you proceed.
Enter your new address exactly as you want it to appear on your license. The MVA will not accept a P.O. box as a primary residence address, though you can add one as a mailing address if you choose. Once you submit, you will see a confirmation screen. Save or print this confirmation for your records — you do not need to do anything else.
The online tool is only available if your license or ID card is current and not expired. If your license expired more than 30 days ago, you must use the mail or in-person method instead.
Mailing a form DL/ID-44 to the MVA
read or request form DL/ID-44 (process for Maryland Driver's License or Identification Card) from the MVA website or any MVA office. You only need to fill in Section 1 (personal information) and Section 2 (address change). Do not fill in the entire form — the MVA will reject it if you complete sections meant only for new licenses or renewals.
Sign and date the form. No notarization or witness signature is required for an address change. Mail it to:
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration 6601 Ritchie Highway, NE Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Include a copy of one document showing your new address if you want to speed up processing, though it is not required. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the MVA receives your form. You will not receive a new physical card — your address change is recorded in the system, and your existing license remains valid.
In-person address change at an MVA office
Visit any Maryland MVA office with your current driver's license or ID card and proof of your new address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. Bring the original document or a certified copy — the MVA will not accept photos or digital copies.
Tell the MVA representative you are changing your address only. They will update your record in the system and print a temporary document on the spot showing your new address. This temporary document is valid for 30 days and can be used for insurance, vehicle registration, or any other purpose that requires proof of your current address. Your permanent card will arrive by mail within 10 business days.
Wait times at MVA offices vary by location and time of day. Offices are typically less busy on weekday mornings and mid-week. You can check current wait times on the MVA website before you go. No appointment is required for an address change, but the MVA does offer optional appointment scheduling if you prefer to reserve a time slot.
What documents you need for each method
| Method | Documents Required | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | License or ID number, date of birth, last 4 SSN digits | Free | when ready |
| By Mail | Form DL/ID-44 (signed), optional proof of address | Free | 7–10 business days |
| In Person | Current license or ID, proof of address (original or certified copy) | Free | Same day (temporary document) |
Common mistakes that delay address changes
Do not fill out the entire DL/ID-44 form if you are only changing your address. The MVA will return incomplete or incorrectly filled forms, which adds 5 to 7 days to processing. Sign and date the form — an unsigned form will be rejected.
If you are mailing proof of address, make sure it is dated within the last 60 days and shows your full name and new address. Utility bills, lease agreements, and bank statements all work. Do not send a credit card statement or insurance document — the MVA does not accept those as proof of residency.
If you are visiting an office in person, bring the original document or a certified copy. A photo of your utility bill or a printout from your bank's website will not be accepted. If you do not have proof of address with you, you can still update your address online or by mail instead.
After your address change is processed
You will receive a confirmation notice by mail at your new address within 10 business days. This notice confirms that your address change has been recorded. Keep it for your records, though you do not need to do anything with it.
Your new address will appear in the MVA system when ready (if you changed it online) or within 7 to 10 business days (if you mailed the form or visited in person). Insurance companies and vehicle registration offices can look up your current address in the MVA database, so you do not need to notify them separately of the change — though some insurers may ask you to confirm the address change directly with them for their own records.
If you also need to update your vehicle registration address, that is a separate transaction with the MVA. You can do it online, by mail, or in person using form VR-005 (process for Vehicle Registration), or you can handle it at the same time as your license address change if you visit an office in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address online if my license is expired?
No. The online tool requires your license or ID to be current. If your license expired more than 30 days ago, use the mail method (form DL/ID-44) or visit an MVA office in person. If your license expired fewer than 30 days ago, you may still be able to use the online tool — try it and the system will tell you if you are not may be able to access.
Do I need to bring proof of address if I change my address online?
No. The online method requires only your license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number. Proof of address is only needed if you visit an MVA office in person.
Will I get a new physical card with my new address?
No. Your existing license or ID card remains valid. The MVA updates your address in the system, and your new address is recorded there. If you visit an office in person, you will receive a temporary document showing your new address. Your permanent card will arrive by mail within 10 business days, but you do not need to wait for it — your current card is still legal to use.
How long does it take to change my address by mail?
The MVA processes mail changes within 7 to 10 business days after it receives your form. Mailing time is not included in that estimate, so allow 2 to 3 weeks total from the date you mail the form to the date your change is recorded in the system.
What if I move again before my address change is processed?
Contact the MVA and submit a new address change form. If you submitted a form by mail and have not yet received your confirmation notice, call the MVA at 410-787-7758 to ask if your first change has been processed. If it has not, you can submit a new form with your current address instead. If it has been processed, submit a second form with your new address.