How to change your address on a Georgia driver's license
You can update your address on a Georgia driver's license through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) in three ways: online, by mail, or in person at a DDS office. The online method is fastest — you can complete it in minutes if your license is valid and you have a debit or credit card. By mail takes one to two weeks. In person is when ready but requires a trip to an office.
You do not need to renew your license to change your address. The address change is a separate transaction that costs nothing and does not affect your license's expiration date. Georgia will mail your updated license to your new address within 7 to 10 business days if you use the online or mail method.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia DDS online address change tool is the fastest option and takes about five minutes if your license is current and you have a payment card.
- You must change your address within 30 days of moving to a new residence in Georgia, though the penalty for missing this important date is not enforced uniformly.
- In-person address changes at a DDS office are processed when ready, but you will need to bring your current license and proof of your new address.
- If you change your address online or by mail, Georgia will send your updated license to your new address at no cost within one to two weeks.
- You can update your address even if your license has expired, but you cannot renew it online — expired licenses require an in-person visit or mail renewal.
Updating your address online through the Georgia DDS website
Go to the Georgia DDS website and select "Address Change" from the main menu. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and ask you to enter your new address.
After you confirm your new address, you will pay a $2 fee using a debit or credit card. Georgia will then mail your updated license to the address you entered. The entire process takes about five minutes. You should receive your new license within 7 to 10 business days.
The online tool works only if your license is currently valid. If your license has expired, you cannot use this method — you will need to renew in person or by mail instead.
Changing your address by mail
Print the DDS Address Change Form (Form DL-43) from the Georgia DDS website. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Mail it to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013, along with a $2 check or money order made payable to the Georgia DDS.
Include a photocopy of your current driver's license (front and back) and proof of your new address. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. Do not send original documents — send copies only.
Processing by mail takes one to two weeks after the DDS receives your envelope. Mail delivery itself can add several days on each end, so plan for three to four weeks total from the time you drop your envelope in the mailbox.
Changing your address in person at a DDS office
Visit any Georgia DDS office with your current driver's license and proof of your new address. Proof can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. Bring the original document — the DDS will not accept a photocopy for in-person transactions.
Tell the staff member you want to change your address. They will update your record in the system when ready and charge you $2. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and Georgia will mail your updated plastic license to your new address within 7 to 10 business days.
In-person visits are fastest if you need proof of your new address right away. DDS offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have extended hours. Check the DDS website for the office nearest you and its hours before you go.
What counts as proof of your new address
Georgia accepts any of these documents as proof of your new address: a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, property tax bill, homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, or government mail from a federal, state, or local agency. The document must show your name and new address and be dated within the last 60 days.
If you do not have any of these documents yet — for example, if you just moved and your utilities have not been transferred — you can use a notarized affidavit of residence instead. You will need to have a notary public sign a statement confirming that you live at your new address. Some banks and credit unions offer notary services for free or a small fee.
Changing your address if your license is expired
If your Georgia driver's license has expired, you cannot use the online address change tool. You have two options: renew your license in person at a DDS office, or renew by mail and include your address change at the same time.
For in-person renewal, visit a DDS office with your expired license, proof of your new address, and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2). The staff will renew your license and update your address in one transaction. You will pay the renewal fee (which varies based on how long your license has been expired) plus the $2 address change fee.
For renewal by mail, read the DDS Renewal process (Form DL-44) and the Address Change Form (Form DL-43) from the Georgia DDS website. Fill out both forms, include copies of your expired license and proof of your new address, and mail them together with payment to the address listed on the forms. This method takes three to four weeks.
Timeline and what to expect after you submit your change
If you change your address online or by mail, Georgia will mail your updated license to your new address. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days after the DDS processes your request. Processing itself takes one to two business days for online submissions and one to two weeks for mail submissions.
During this time, your old license is still valid. You can use it for identification until your new one arrives. If your new license does not arrive within 14 days, contact the Georgia DDS to check the status of your request. Have your license number and date of birth ready.
If you move again before your updated license arrives, you can submit another address change. The DDS will send the license to your most recent address on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I do not change my address within 30 days of moving?
Georgia law requires you to change your address within 30 days of moving to a new residence. However, the penalty for missing this important date is not consistently enforced. You can still change your address at any time after moving — there is no time limit on how late you can update it. If you are stopped by police, having an outdated address on your license may raise questions, but it is not grounds for a traffic citation on its own.
Can I change my address if I do not have proof of my new address yet?
If you do not have a utility bill, lease, or other document dated within the last 60 days, you can use a notarized affidavit of residence. A notary public will sign a statement confirming that you live at your new address. Many banks, credit unions, and UPS stores offer notary services for free or $5 to $15. Once you have the notarized affidavit, you can change your address using any of the three methods.
Do I have to pay a fee to change my address?
Yes, Georgia charges a $2 fee for an address change, whether you do it online, by mail, or in person. This fee is separate from any renewal fee if your license is expired. You pay by debit or credit card online, or by check or money order if you change your address by mail.
Will changing my address affect my license expiration date?
No. An address change does not renew your license or extend its expiration date. Your license will expire on the same date it was originally set to expire. If your license is also expiring soon, you can renew it at the same time you change your address, but these are two separate transactions.
What if I move out of Georgia after changing my address?
If you move to another state, you will need to get a driver's license from that state. Georgia will not update your address to an out-of-state address. Contact your new state's DMV or equivalent agency to find out what documents you need to obtain a license there. You may be able to keep your Georgia license as a non-driver ID if you no longer live in the state, but you cannot use it to drive legally outside Georgia.