Where to change your Maryland driver's license address

You can change your address at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) in person, by mail, or online through the MVA website. The online option is the fastest if you have a valid email address and your current license number. In-person visits take about 30 minutes at most MVA branches, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

The MVA has about 25 branch offices across Maryland. You can find the one nearest you, check current wait times, and schedule an appointment on the MVA website. Appointments are free and can cut your wait time significantly, especially at busy locations in Baltimore and the Washington, D.C. suburbs.

Key Takeaways

  • Maryland lets you change your address online, by mail, or in person at an MVA branch, and the online method is fastest if you have email access.
  • You will need your current license number, your new address, and proof of residency if you are changing your address for the first time or updating it after several years.
  • An in-person address change costs nothing and takes about 30 minutes, but you can schedule a free appointment to reduce wait time.
  • If you change your address online or by mail, your physical license will still show your old address until you renew it, though the MVA records will update when ready.

What documents and information you need

For any method—online, mail, or in person—you will need your current Maryland driver's license number and your new address. That is the minimum. If the MVA flags your account or if you have not updated your address in many years, they may ask for proof of residency.

Proof of residency means a document showing your name and new address, dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail (such as a tax notice). A cell phone bill or credit card statement usually does not count. Bring the original or a copy—the MVA will tell you which when you contact them or arrive in person.

Changing your address online

Go to the Maryland MVA website and select the address change option. You will enter your license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address. The system will send a confirmation email to the address you provide. This entire process takes about 10 minutes.

Your address will update in the MVA system right away, and you can use that updated record for insurance, voter registration, and other purposes. However, your physical license card will still show your old address until you renew it. When you renew—whether in person or by mail—you will receive a new card with the correct address printed on it.

Changing your address by mail

read the address change form from the MVA website (form DL-43) or request one by calling the MVA at 410-787-7758. Fill in your current license number, new address, and sign the form. Mail it to the address listed on the form, along with a copy of your proof of residency if the MVA requests it.

Processing by mail takes about two to three weeks. You will not receive a new license card in the mail—only a confirmation that your address has been updated in the system. Your physical license will continue to show your old address until renewal.

Changing your address in person at an MVA branch

Bring your current license and proof of residency (if required) to any MVA branch. You can walk in or schedule a free appointment online. Tell the staff member you want to change your address. They will update your record on the spot, and you will receive a paper confirmation.

If you want a new license card with your updated address printed on it right away, you can pay a fee (currently around $70) for an early renewal. Otherwise, you will keep your old card until your regular renewal date, though your MVA record will show the new address when ready.

When your address change takes effect

The MVA updates your address in their system within minutes if you change it online, within one to two business days if you change it in person, and within two to three weeks if you mail the form. Once it is updated in the MVA system, your new address is official for purposes of insurance, voter registration, and other agencies that check the MVA database.

Your physical license card, however, will not change until you renew it. If you need a new card with your updated address sooner, you can request an early renewal at any MVA branch for a fee. This is useful if you are moving out of state soon or need the updated card for a specific reason.

What happens if you move and do not update your address

Maryland law does not require you to update your address when ready, but there are practical reasons to do so. If you are pulled over and your license shows an old address, the officer may question whether you still live in Maryland or whether the license is valid. Insurance companies may also deny claims if they discover your actual address does not match your policy.

Voter registration, jury duty notices, and other official mail will go to your old address if you do not update it. If you move and plan to stay in Maryland, updating your address within a few weeks is the safest approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my address if I move within Maryland?

You do not have to, but you should. Insurance companies and law enforcement may question a mismatch between your license and your actual residence. Official mail will go to your old address if you do not update it.

Will I get a new license card if I change my address online or by mail?

No. Your MVA record updates, but your physical card keeps your old address until you renew. If you need a new card with the updated address right away, you can pay for an early renewal at an MVA branch.

What if I move out of state?

You will need to get a driver's license in your new state. You can keep your Maryland license as a second ID, but you cannot use it as your primary license if you no longer live in Maryland. Check your new state's requirements for what documents you will need.

How long does an address change take?

Online changes update within minutes. In-person changes update within one to two business days. Mail takes two to three weeks. Your physical card will not change until you renew it, which happens every five years.

What counts as proof of residency?

A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days works. Cell phone bills and credit card statements usually do not. The MVA will tell you what they accept when you contact them.