You can change your Ontario driver's license address online, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office

The fastest way is online through the ServiceOntario website if you have a valid Ontario driver's license and a recent piece of mail showing your new address. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. If you cannot go online, you can mail a form to ServiceOntario or visit an office in person — both take longer but work just as well. You do not need to pass a test or provide a medical form; ServiceOntario only needs proof that you live where you say you do.

Your address change takes effect when ready when you complete it online, or within 5 to 10 business days if you mail the form. If you visit an office, you walk out with an updated license the same day. The address on your license matters for insurance, vehicle registration, and traffic tickets — so updating it soon after you move prevents problems with those later.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method through ServiceOntario's website is free and takes 10 minutes if you have your current license number and a recent piece of mail with your new address.
  • You can also mail Form DL26 to ServiceOntario or visit a ServiceOntario office in person; both methods cost nothing but take 5 to 10 business days.
  • You do not need to renew your license or take a test — only your address changes on the document.
  • Your insurance company and vehicle registration should be updated at the same time, because they may use your license address to contact you.

Changing your address online through ServiceOntario

Go to the ServiceOntario website and select "Change your address on your driver's license." You will need your current Ontario driver's license number, your date of birth, and your postal code. You will also need to upload or photograph a recent piece of mail — a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement dated within the last 90 days — that shows your name and new address. ServiceOntario uses this to confirm you actually live there.

After you submit the form and proof of address, ServiceOntario sends you a confirmation email. Your address updates in their system right away, and you can use the new address for insurance, vehicle registration, and other purposes when ready. You do not receive a new physical license card in the mail — your current card still shows the old address, but ServiceOntario's records show the new one. When your license comes up for renewal, the new card will print with the updated address.

If you do not have a piece of mail dated within the last 90 days, you can use a property tax assessment, a mortgage statement, a lease agreement, or a utility bill in someone else's name if you live with them and can explain the relationship. ServiceOntario's website lists all accepted documents.

Mailing your address change to ServiceOntario

read or request Form DL26 (Change of Address) from the ServiceOntario website or pick one up at any ServiceOntario office. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Attach a photocopy of one piece of proof of address — the same documents accepted for the online method work here too.

Mail the completed form and proof to the address listed on the form. ServiceOntario processes mail-in requests within 5 to 10 business days. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail, and your address will be updated in their system. Like the online method, your physical license card will not change until your next renewal, but your new address takes effect when ready for insurance, registration, and other purposes.

Keep a copy of the form and your proof of address for your records. If you do not receive a confirmation letter within two weeks, contact ServiceOntario to confirm they received your mail.

Changing your address in person at a ServiceOntario office

Visit any ServiceOntario office with your current driver's license and one piece of proof of address. Bring the original document, not a photocopy — ServiceOntario staff will verify it and return it to you. You can find office locations and hours on the ServiceOntario website.

Tell the staff member you want to change your address. They will ask you to sign a form, scan your proof of address, and process the change on the spot. You walk out with a new physical license card printed with your updated address the same day. There is no fee for this service. The whole process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

If you are changing your address at the same time you renew your license, you can do both in one visit. Bring your current license, proof of address, and any documents required for renewal (such as a medical form if you are over 80). The staff will handle both transactions together.

What counts as proof of address

ServiceOntario accepts documents dated within the last 90 days that show your name and new address. The most common ones are utility bills (hydro, gas, water, internet), bank or credit card statements, lease agreements, property tax assessments, and mortgage statements. If you just moved and do not have a bill in your name yet, you can use a lease agreement or a letter from your landlord on their letterhead confirming your tenancy and move-in date.

If you live with someone else and do not have mail in your own name, you can use a utility bill or lease in their name as long as you can explain the relationship — for example, you live with a spouse, parent, or roommate. Some ServiceOntario offices may ask you to bring a second document or a signed letter from the person whose name is on the bill confirming you live there. Call ahead to ask what your local office needs.

Do not use a driver's license from another province, a passport, or a piece of mail older than 90 days. ServiceOntario will not accept these as proof of your current address.

Updating your insurance and vehicle registration at the same time

Your auto insurance company and the Ministry of Transportation (which handles vehicle registration) both use your driver's license address to contact you about policy changes, renewal notices, and registration reminders. If you change your address with ServiceOntario but not with your insurance company or the ministry, you may miss important letters or notices.

Contact your insurance company as soon as you move and give them your new address. They will update your policy right away, usually at no cost. Some insurers ask you to update your address online through their website or app; others ask you to call. Check your policy documents or your insurer's website to see which method they use.

Update your vehicle registration with the Ministry of Transportation through the ServiceOntario website or by visiting a ServiceOntario office. You can do this at the same time you change your license address if you visit in person. If you registered your vehicle online, you can update the address through the same portal. There is no fee to change your registration address.

What happens if you do not update your address

If you move and do not update your driver's license address, you may face problems with insurance claims, traffic tickets, and vehicle registration renewals. Insurance companies use your license address to send policy documents and renewal notices; if the address is wrong, you might not receive them and could miss a important date. If you get a traffic ticket, the officer writes the address on your license, so the ticket goes to your old address and you might not know about it until the fine is overdue.

Vehicle registration renewal notices also go to the address on file with the Ministry of Transportation. If you do not update it, you might miss the renewal important date and drive with an expired registration without knowing it. Police can stop you for an expired registration, and your insurance may not cover an accident if your registration was expired.

Updating your address takes 10 minutes online or a short visit to an office, so it is worth doing right away after you move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a new physical license card when I change my address?

Only if you change your address in person at a ServiceOntario office. If you change it online or by mail, your current card keeps the old address, but ServiceOntario's records show the new one. When your license renews, the new card will print with the updated address. For most purposes — insurance, registration, police stops — the address in ServiceOntario's system is what matters, not the card itself.

How long does it take to change my address?

Online changes take effect when ready. Mail-in changes take 5 to 10 business days. In-person changes at a ServiceOntario office are done the same day, and you get a new card before you leave. If you need the change done quickly, visiting an office is the fastest option.

What if I do not have a piece of mail dated within the last 90 days?

You can use a lease agreement, a letter from your landlord, a property tax assessment, or a mortgage statement instead. If none of those are available, call your local ServiceOntario office and ask what documents they will accept — some offices have flexibility for people who just moved or do not receive mail in their name.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

Yes. You can change your address online, by mail, or in person even if your license is expired. If you visit an office in person, you can renew your license and change your address at the same time. If you change your address online or by mail, you can renew your license separately whenever you are ready.

Do I have to pay a fee to change my address?

No. Changing your address on your driver's license is free whether you do it online, by mail, or in person. ServiceOntario does not charge for address changes.