The fastest way to change your address in Texas

You can change your address on your Texas driver's license without getting a new photo or retaking any tests. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you update your address online, by mail, or in person at a driver's license office. The online method is fastest — it takes about five minutes and costs nothing.

If you've moved recently, do this soon. Your license with an old address can cause problems when you vote, get pulled over, or try to use it as proof of residency. Texas does not set a important date for updating your address, but waiting too long makes it harder to prove where you actually live.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Texas driver's license address online through the DPS website without visiting an office or paying a fee.
  • Online address changes work only if your license is not expired, suspended, or revoked, and you have not had a name change since you got it.
  • If you cannot use the online method, you can mail a form to DPS or visit a driver's license office in person with proof of your new address.
  • Proof of address means a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail showing your name and current address.
  • An address change does not give you a new license number or photo — your current license stays valid until its expiration date.

Changing your address online through the DPS website

Go to the Texas DPS website and look for the "Change Address Online" option under driver's license services. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to confirm your current address and then enter your new one.

The online system works only if your license is currently valid — not expired, suspended, or revoked. It also does not work if you have changed your name since you got your license. If either of those applies to you, skip to the mail or in-person methods below.

Once you submit your new address online, DPS updates their records right away. You do not need to do anything else. Your physical license card still shows your old address, but the state's system reflects the change when ready, and that is what law enforcement and government offices see when they look you up.

Mailing a change-of-address form to DPS

If you cannot use the online method, you can mail a completed form to the Texas DPS. Request Form DL-43 (Change of Address) from the DPS website or call your local driver's license office to have one mailed to you. Fill it out with your name, license number, old address, and new address.

Include one document that proves your new address. This can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail — anything recent with your name and current address on it. Mail everything to the address shown on the form, which varies by region.

Processing by mail takes two to three weeks. You will not receive a confirmation in the mail; DPS straightforward updates your record. If you want to verify the change went through, you can call your local driver's license office after two weeks.

Changing your address in person at a DPS office

Visit any Texas driver's license office and tell the staff you want to change your address. Bring your current driver's license and one document proving your new address — the same documents that work for the mail method (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail).

The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is. Staff will update your record on the spot, and your license is valid with the old address printed on it until it expires. The state's system shows your new address when ready.

To find the nearest office and check current wait times, use the DPS office locator on their website. Some offices are busier than others, and wait times change throughout the day. Going early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter lines.

What counts as proof of your new address

DPS accepts several types of documents to prove you live where you say you do. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) in your name dated within the last 60 days works. So does a current lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank or credit card statement showing your new address.

Government mail counts too — a letter from a city, county, state, or federal agency addressed to you at your new address. Even a voter registration card or a letter from your employer works if it shows your current address.

The document must show both your name and your new address. A bill addressed to "Resident" or to a former tenant will not work. If you just moved and do not have a bill in your name yet, a lease or a letter from your landlord confirming your move-in date can bridge the gap.

When you need a new license instead of just an address change

An address change keeps your current license number and photo. But if your license is expired, you cannot change the address online — you must renew it instead, which includes a new photo and a new card with your current address.

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot change the address through any method until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact DPS to find out the status of your license and what you need to do to restore it.

If you have changed your name since you got your license — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you cannot use the online method. You will need to visit a driver's license office in person with your current license, proof of your new address, and a document showing your legal name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

How long the change takes and when it shows up

An online address change updates when ready in the state system. Law enforcement and government offices can see your new address right away when they look up your license, even though your physical card still shows the old one.

A mail-in change takes two to three weeks. An in-person change at a DPS office is when ready — the system updates while you wait.

Your physical license card will not change. It will still show your old address until your license expires and you renew it. At that time, you will get a new card with your current address printed on it. Until then, if someone asks to see your address, you can show them your license and explain that you have updated it with the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Texas does not legally require you to update your address, but it is a good idea. An outdated address can cause problems with voting, police stops, and proving where you live. It takes only a few minutes online and costs nothing.

Will I get a new license card with my new address on it?

No. An address change keeps your current card. Your physical license will still show your old address until you renew your license at its expiration date. At renewal, you will get a new card with your current address printed on it.

What if I do not have a utility bill or lease to prove my new address?

You have other options. A bank statement, credit card statement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or government mail all work. Even a letter from your employer or landlord confirming your address can work. The document just needs to show your name and current address.

Can I change my address online if my license is expired?

No. The online method works only for valid licenses. If your license is expired, you need to renew it instead, which includes getting a new photo and a new card. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.

How do I know if my address change went through?

If you changed it online or in person, it is done when ready. If you mailed it in, wait two weeks and then call your local driver's license office to confirm. You can also check by logging into your DPS account online if you have one set up.