How to Change Your Address on a Michigan Driver's License

How to change your address in Michigan

You can change your address on your Michigan driver's license or state ID through the Secretary of State's office in three ways: online through the MI Driver Services portal, by mail, or in person at a branch office. The online method is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $5. You do not need to take a new photo or retake any tests; the Secretary of State straightforward updates your record and mails you a replacement card with your new address printed on it.

The replacement card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can use it for identification in the meantime. If you need proof of your address change before the card arrives, you can print a confirmation from the MI Driver Services portal after you complete the online update.

Key Takeaways

Online address changes through MI Driver Services cost $5 and take 10 minutes, with your new card arriving in 7 to 10 business days.
You can change your address in person at any Secretary of State branch office without an appointment, though wait times vary by location.
Mail-in updates require a completed form and proof of your new address, and take 2 to 3 weeks longer than online or in-person methods.
Your old license stays valid until your replacement arrives, so you do not need to rush to a branch office when ready after moving.
If you move out of state or change your name at the same time, you will need to renew your license rather than just update your address.

Changing your address online through MI Driver Services

Go to michigandriver.org and log in with your Michigan driver's license number and date of birth. Select "Change Address" from the menu. Enter your new address, review it for accuracy, and pay the $5 fee with a debit or credit card. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.

The system will then mail you a replacement license card with your new address printed on it. You do not need to do anything else — no appointment, no visit to an office, no documents to mail in. If you need to see your updated address before the card arrives, log back into MI Driver Services and view your record. Some employers and landlords will accept a screenshot of this confirmation as proof of address.

Changing your address in person at a Secretary of State office

Walk into any Michigan Secretary of State branch office with your current driver's license or state ID. Tell the clerk you want to change your address. They will ask you to fill out a short form with your new address, verify it, and charge you $5. The whole process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how busy the office is.

You will receive your replacement card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. No appointment is needed, but wait times are longest on Saturdays and around the end of the month. If you want to check wait times before you go, the Secretary of State website shows real-time estimates for each branch. Bring your current license or ID — that is the only document you need.

Changing your address by mail

read or request the process for Duplicate Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL 44) from the Secretary of State website. Fill in your new address, sign the form, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a $5 check or money order. Include one document that shows your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work.

Mail processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, and your replacement card will arrive another 7 to 10 business days after that. This method is slowest and requires you to gather documents, but it works if you cannot visit an office or use the online system. Keep a copy of everything you mail in case the Secretary of State needs to contact you.

What counts as proof of your new address

If you are changing your address by mail, you need one document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a bank or credit card statement, or a government letter (such as from the IRS or a state agency).

A piece of mail addressed to you at your new address works, but it must be official mail from a company or government body — not a personal letter. A driver's license from another state does not count. If you do not have any of these documents yet, wait until you receive one before mailing in your address change, or use the online or in-person method instead, which do not require proof.

When you need to renew instead of just change your address

If you are moving out of Michigan, you cannot straightforward change your address on your Michigan license. You must renew your license in your new state. The same applies if you are changing your name — you cannot update just the address; you have to renew the entire license and explore for a new one with both your new name and new address.

If you are moving within Michigan and keeping your name, a straightforward address change is all you need. Your license remains valid for its full term; changing the address does not shorten it or require you to renew early.

How long your updated license is valid

Your replacement license card is valid for the same length of time as your original license. If your original license expires in 2027, your replacement card with the new address also expires in 2027. The address change does not reset your expiration date or require you to renew sooner.

Keep your old license until the new one arrives, in case you need to show ID before the replacement reaches you. Once the new card arrives, you can throw away the old one or keep it as a record — it is no longer valid for identification purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

Yes. You can change the address on an expired license through any of the three methods — online, in person, or by mail. However, your replacement card will also be expired. If you need a valid ID, you will need to renew your license at the same time, which costs more and requires a new photo and vision test.

Do I need to change my address before I move or after?

You can change it either way. Many people wait until they have moved and received a piece of mail at their new address, so they have proof if they are mailing in the change. If you change it online or in person, you do not need proof, so you can do it before or after moving.

What if I made a mistake on my address change?

If you made a typo or entered the wrong address, contact the Secretary of State when ready. You can call the customer service line or visit a branch office with your license to request a correction. They may issue a new card at no charge if the error was recent, or charge you another $5 for a replacement.

Will changing my address affect my car insurance or registration?

Your driver's license address and your vehicle registration address are separate records. Changing your license address does not automatically update your car registration. Contact your insurance company and the Secretary of State's vehicle registration office to update your vehicle address separately if you have moved.

Can someone else change my address for me?

No. You must change your own address using your license number and date of birth (online), or appear in person with your license. The Secretary of State does not allow a family member or representative to make the change on your behalf.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.