Update Your Address Online, by Mail, or In Person

Texas lets you change your driver's license address through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, by mail, or by visiting a DPS office in person. The online method is fastest — you can complete it in minutes from home — but it works only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name. If either of those conditions applies, you must visit an office or mail in your request.

You do not need to pay a fee to update your address on a valid Texas driver's license. The change takes effect when ready when you complete it online, or within 7 to 10 business days if you mail the form or visit an office.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes through the DPS website take effect the same day and cost nothing, but only work for valid licenses with no name change.
  • The mailing address for DPS address-change requests is the same regardless of which Texas region you live in: DPS Driver's License Division, 4201 E. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX 76010.
  • If your license is expired or you changed your name, you must renew your license or visit a DPS office — a straightforward address change will not work.
  • Bring your current driver's license and proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days) to any DPS office.
  • You can check the status of a mailed address-change request by calling the DPS Driver's License Division at 1-888-589-6789.

Update Your Address Online Through the DPS Website

Go to the Texas DPS website and select the "Change Address" option under driver's license services. You will need your current Texas driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Enter your new address exactly as it should appear on your license, including apartment or suite numbers if applicable.

After you submit the form, the system will confirm that your address has been updated. You do not need to wait for anything in the mail — your new address is active when ready. The next time you use your license, it will show the updated address, even though the physical card itself has not changed.

The online method works only if your current license is valid (not expired) and you have not changed your name since it was issued. If your license expired more than two years ago, or if you changed your name, you must renew your license instead, which requires visiting a DPS office or mailing in a renewal process.

Mail Your Address Change to DPS

Complete the Form DL-43 (Change of Address), which you can read from the Texas DPS website or request by phone. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Do not notarize it — DPS does not require a notary for address changes.

Mail the completed form to:

DPS Driver's License Division 4201 E. Arkansas Lane Arlington, TX 76010

Include a copy of your current driver's license (front and back) and proof of your new address. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within 90 days of when you mail the form. Black-and-white copies are fine.

Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after DPS receives your envelope. You can call the DPS Driver's License Division at 1-888-589-6789 to check whether your request has been processed. Once approved, your address change takes effect in the system, though your physical license card will still show the old address until you renew it.

Update Your Address at a DPS Office

Visit any DPS Driver's License office in Texas and tell the staff member you need to change your address. Bring your current driver's license and one document proving your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within 90 days. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations use an online reservation system; check the DPS website to see whether your local office requires one.

The staff member will verify your identity, confirm your new address, and update it in the system on the spot. The change is effective when ready. Your physical license card will still show the old address until you renew it, but your address in the DPS database is updated right away.

Wait times at DPS offices vary by location and time of day. Offices are typically less crowded early in the morning on weekdays. If you live near a smaller city or rural office, you may wait less time than at a large urban location.

What Happens to Your Physical License Card

When you change your address online, by mail, or at an office, the DPS system updates your record when ready, but your physical driver's license card keeps the old address printed on it. The card itself does not change until you renew your license.

This is normal and legal. Police officers, businesses, and government agencies can see your current address in the DPS database when they scan or look up your license, even if the card shows an old address. You do not need to carry a separate document proving your new address.

If you want a new card with your current address printed on it, you can request a duplicate license for a fee (currently $11 in Texas), or you can wait until your license renewal date and renew it then.

Address Changes After a Move or Name Change

If you changed your name — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — you cannot use the straightforward address-change process. You must renew your license instead. Bring your current license, your new name document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of your new address to a DPS office, or mail in a renewal process with the same documents.

If you moved but your name stayed the same, use the address-change process described above. The two are separate transactions in the DPS system.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your address updates in the DPS database right away, and that is what matters legally and for identification. Your physical card keeps the old address until you renew your license. If you want a new card with the current address printed on it, you can pay for a duplicate license.

What counts as proof of my new address?

A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within 90 days of when you submit your change. The document must show your name and your new address. Copies are acceptable.

How long does it take for my address change to show up in the system?

Online changes take effect when ready. Mailed requests take 7 to 10 business days after DPS receives them. Changes made in person at a DPS office are effective the same day.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

No. If your license expired, you must renew it instead of just changing your address. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office, and you can include your new address as part of the renewal.

What if I move again before my address change is processed?

If you mailed a form and then moved again, call the DPS Driver's License Division at 1-888-589-6789 before your original request is processed and provide your new address. If it has already been processed, submit another address-change request with your current address.