Massachusetts charges $25 to change your address on your driver's license

The fee for a standard address change on a Massachusetts driver's license is $25. You pay this whether you change your address in person at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), by mail, or online through the RMV's website. The fee covers the cost of issuing an updated license with your new address printed on it.

If you are renewing your license at the same time you change your address, you do not pay both fees — the renewal fee covers the address update. Massachusetts renewal fees vary by license type and age, but they range from $50 to $100 depending on whether you get a standard or Real ID license and how long your renewal period is.

The $25 fee is non-refundable, even if your process is denied or you decide not to complete the process. Once you submit payment and your address change is processed, the fee cannot be returned.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard address change costs $25 and takes about 7 to 10 business days by mail or 1 to 2 weeks online.
  • You can change your address online through mass.gov/rmv if your license is not suspended and you have not had a name change.
  • In-person changes at an RMV office are processed the same day, but you must bring proof of your new address and your current license.
  • If you are renewing your license at the same time, the renewal fee covers the address change and you do not pay the $25 separately.
  • The $25 fee applies to standard licenses, commercial licenses, and motorcycle endorsements.

How to pay the $25 fee depending on your method

If you change your address online, you pay the $25 fee by credit card or debit card during the process process on mass.gov/rmv. The payment is processed when ready, and you receive a confirmation number. Your updated license is mailed to your new address within 7 to 10 business days.

If you change your address by mail, you send a completed Form DL 34 (process for Massachusetts Driver's License or Identification Card) along with a check or money order for $25 to the RMV address listed on the form. Include proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the RMV receives your envelope.

If you change your address in person at an RMV office, you pay the $25 fee by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the counter. You receive your updated license the same day. Bring your current license, proof of your new address, and your Social Security number or ITIN.

What counts as proof of your new address

Massachusetts requires one document that shows your name and your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, or a government document such as a tax return or court order. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

If you do not have a document in your name at your new address yet — for example, if you just moved and utilities have not been switched — you can use a letter from your landlord or property manager on their letterhead stating your name and new address. Some RMV offices also accept an affidavit of residency, which you can sign in front of an RMV employee.

Online address changes do not require you to upload proof of address; the RMV verifies your new address through its own records. By mail or in person, you must provide the document.

When you cannot use the online option and must pay in person or by mail

You cannot change your address online if your license is currently suspended, revoked, or cancelled. You also cannot use the online system if you have had a legal name change since your license was issued. In both cases, you must visit an RMV office in person or submit your change by mail.

If your license has expired more than 5 years ago, you cannot change the address alone — you must renew your license at the same time, which costs more than $25. If you are unsure whether your license is may be able to access for online address change, you can call the RMV at 857-368-8000 before you attempt the transaction.

How long it takes to receive your updated license after paying

Online address changes take the longest: your updated license is mailed to your new address within 7 to 10 business days after you submit your process and pay the $25 fee. You receive a confirmation number when ready, but the physical card takes time to print and mail.

Mail-in changes take 2 to 3 weeks from the date the RMV receives your envelope. This means if you mail your process on a Monday, the RMV may not receive it until Wednesday or Thursday, and processing begins then. Add time for mail delivery both ways.

In-person changes are the fastest: you pay the $25 fee at the counter, and your updated license is printed and handed to you the same day. You can drive home with your new address on your license when ready. No appointment is required, but wait times vary by location and time of day.

What happens if you move again before your new license arrives

If you move a second time before your updated license arrives in the mail, you have two options. You can wait for the license to arrive at your first new address and have the person living there forward it to you, or you can submit another address change request with your new address. The second change costs another $25.

If you are moving multiple times in a short period, consider changing your address in person at an RMV office so you receive your updated license the same day. This avoids the risk of mail delays and the cost of a second change.

Once your updated license arrives, it is valid at your new address. You do not need to do anything else. If you have already moved again and the license shows an old address, you can update it again by paying another $25, or you can wait until your next renewal to change the address for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address without paying the $25 fee?

No. The $25 fee is required for any address change on a Massachusetts driver's license, whether you do it online, by mail, or in person. The only exception is if you are renewing your license at the same time — then the renewal fee covers the address change and you do not pay $25 separately.

What if I pay the $25 fee but the RMV rejects my process?

The $25 fee is non-refundable. If your process is rejected because your proof of address is invalid or your license is suspended, you cannot get the fee back. You would need to pay another $25 if you resubmit with corrected documents.

Is the $25 fee the same for a Real ID license?

Yes. The $25 address change fee is the same whether your license is a standard license or a Real ID. If you are renewing to a Real ID at the same time, the renewal fee is higher, but the address change itself costs $25.

Do I have to change my address on my license if I move?

Massachusetts law requires you to notify the RMV of your new address within 30 days of moving. Failing to do so can result in a fine. You are legally required to keep your address current on your license.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

If your license expired fewer than 5 years ago, you can change your address for $25. If it expired more than 5 years ago, you must renew your license instead, which costs more than $25 and requires additional documents such as proof of citizenship.