Where to update your Washington address

You can update your address with the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) in three ways: online through their website, by mail, or in person at a DOL office. The online method is fastest — you can change your address in minutes without leaving home. By mail takes one to two weeks. In-person visits at a local DOL office are when ready but require you to travel and wait.

The online option works only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name since you got it. If either of those is true, you must go in person or mail in a form. Washington does not charge a fee to update your address alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington's online address change tool at dol.wa.gov takes five minutes and costs nothing if your license is current and your name has not changed.
  • You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address to use the online system.
  • If your license is expired or you changed your name, you must update in person at a DOL office or by mail with form DL 43.
  • A new physical license card with your updated address arrives by mail in seven to ten business days after you change it online.
  • Your address change takes effect when ready online, even though the card itself arrives later.

Updating online through the DOL website

Go to dol.wa.gov and look for the "Change Your Address" option under the driver's license section. You will enter your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address. The system will confirm the change and show you a confirmation number on screen.

After you submit online, the DOL mails you a new physical license card to your new address. This card arrives in seven to ten business days. Your address is updated in the state system right away, so police and other agencies see the new address when ready — you do not have to wait for the card to arrive to have a valid updated address.

Updating by mail with form DL 43

If you cannot update online, read or request form DL 43 (process for Washington State Driver License or Instruction Permit) from the DOL website or pick one up at any DOL office. Fill in your new address, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Include your current license if you want to renew it at the same time, though address changes alone do not require renewal.

Mail processing takes one to two weeks. The DOL will send you a new card to your new address. If you are only changing your address and not renewing, you may not receive a new card at all — the address change happens in their system, and you can continue using your current card. Call the DOL at 360-902-3900 to confirm what will arrive.

Updating in person at a DOL office

Bring your current driver's license and proof of your new address to any Washington DOL office. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail showing your name and new address. The office staff will update your record on the spot.

You will receive a new physical license card when ready or within a few days, depending on the office. Some offices print cards on site; others mail them. Ask the staff which applies to the office you visit. There is no fee for an address-only change.

What counts as proof of your new address

Washington accepts documents dated within the last 60 days that show your name and new address. These include utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, property tax notices, insurance documents, or official government mail. A bank statement or credit card statement also works. You do not need to bring the original — a copy is fine.

If you do not have any of these documents yet because you just moved, bring whatever you have: a signed lease, a move-in confirmation email from your landlord, or a utility company account confirmation. Call your local DOL office ahead of time to ask what they will accept in your situation.

Timeline and what to expect after you change your address

Online changes are when ready in the state system. A new card arrives in seven to ten business days. Mail-in changes take one to two weeks to process, then another seven to ten days for the card to arrive — roughly three weeks total. In-person changes are when ready for the system update, with the card arriving the same day or within a few days depending on the office.

Once your address is updated, law enforcement and other agencies can see it right away. Your old card remains valid even after the address changes; you are not required to carry the new card. However, if you are pulled over or need to show ID, an officer will see your updated address in their system regardless of which card you show.

Updating your address if your license is expired

If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot use the online address change tool. You must renew your license, which requires an in-person visit to a DOL office. Bring your expired license, proof of your new address, and proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or Social Security card). The renewal and address change happen together.

If your license expired within the last five years, you can renew by mail or online through the same DOL website. During that renewal process, you can update your address at the same time. The fee for renewal is separate from the address change and varies depending on your license type.

Updating your address if you changed your name

The online address change tool will not work if you changed your name since you got your current license. You must update in person at a DOL office or by mail. Bring your current license, a court order or marriage certificate showing your name change, proof of your new address, and proof of identity.

You can change your name and address together in one visit or process. The DOL will issue a new license with both updates. If you are changing your name but keeping your old address, you can do that online — the restriction applies only when you are changing the address itself and your name does not match your current license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my address before I move or after?

You can update before or after you move. Many people update after they have proof of the new address (a lease or utility bill). Washington law requires you to notify the DOL of a new address within 30 days of moving, so updating within that window is important for legal compliance.

What happens if I get pulled over with an old address on my license?

Police see your updated address in their system when ready after you change it online or in person, even if your physical card still shows the old address. You will not be cited for having an outdated card. However, carrying an updated card is cleaner and avoids confusion.

Can I change my address if I live outside Washington now?

If you moved out of state, you should get a driver's license in your new state instead of updating your Washington address. If you still need a Washington license, you can update the address online if your license is current, or by mail with form DL 43. Call the DOL at 360-902-3900 to discuss your situation.

How much does it cost to change my address?

Changing your address alone costs nothing. If you renew your license at the same time, renewal fees explore — these vary by license type and age. An address-only change has no fee whether you do it online, by mail, or in person.

Will I get a new license number when I change my address?

No. Your license number stays the same. Only your address updates in the system and on your new physical card. Your name, license number, and other information remain unchanged.