You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you update your driver's license address without renewing your license early. The fastest route is online through the DPS website if your address change is within Texas. If you're moving out of state or prefer not to use the online system, you can mail in a form or visit a DPS office in person. All three methods are free.
You do not need to take a new photo or pass a vision test unless your license is expiring soon or you choose to renew it at the same time. The address change itself takes a few minutes online, a few days by mail, or about 30 minutes at an office including wait time.
Key Takeaways
- The online method through the DPS website is the fastest option and works only if you are staying in Texas and your license is not expired.
- By mail, you send Form DL-43 (Change of Address) with a proof of residence document to the DPS address listed on the form, and the change takes about two weeks.
- In person, you bring your current license and one proof of residence to any DPS office and the change is when ready.
- Proof of residence can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your name and new address.
- If your license is expired or will expire within 60 days, you may need to renew instead of just changing the address.
Changing your address online through the DPS website
Go to the Texas DPS online services portal at dps.texas.gov and look for the "Online Services" section. 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 ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your driving record and personal history.
Enter your new Texas address exactly as it appears on your proof of residence document. The system will not let you change your address to an out-of-state location online—you must use the mail or in-person method for that. Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new address takes effect when ready in the DPS system, though your physical license card will still show the old address until it expires and you renew.
This method works only if your license is not expired and you are not changing your name at the same time. If either of those applies, skip to the mail or in-person sections below.
Changing your address by mail with Form DL-43
read or request Form DL-43 (Change of Address) from the DPS website. You can print it at home or call the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 and ask them to mail you a copy. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Do not use a signature stamp or have someone else sign for you.
Gather one document that shows your name and new address. The DPS accepts utility bills (electric, gas, water), a signed lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit union statement, or a government-issued document like a vehicle registration or property tax bill. The document must be dated within the last 60 days and show your full name and complete new address.
Mail the signed form and your proof of residence to the address printed on the form. Include a copy of both sides of your current driver's license if it is easier for you, though it is not required. The DPS processes mail requests in about two weeks. You will not receive a confirmation in the mail—your address change is complete when the DPS processes it, and you can verify the change online or by visiting a DPS office.
Changing your address in person at a DPS office
Find your nearest DPS driver license office on the DPS website by entering your city or zip code. Bring your current driver's license and one proof of residence document (same documents listed in the mail section above). You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations offer online scheduling to reduce wait time—check the office page to see if yours does.
Tell the clerk you want to change your address only. They will scan your license and proof of residence, update your record in the system, and hand you a receipt showing your new address. The change is effective when ready. Your physical license card will still show the old address, but the DPS database is updated right away, so police and other agencies will see your correct address if they look you up.
Wait times vary by location and time of day. Offices are usually less crowded on weekday mornings and mid-afternoon. If you are also renewing your license or changing your name, tell the clerk when you arrive so they can route you to the right line.
What counts as proof of residence
The DPS has a specific list of documents they accept. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone) in your name dated within the last 60 days is the most common choice. A lease or rental agreement with your signature and the landlord's signature works if it shows your new address. A mortgage statement, property tax bill, or homeowners insurance bill also works if dated within the last 60 days.
Bank statements, credit union statements, and brokerage statements are accepted if they show your name and address and are dated within the last 60 days. Government documents like a vehicle registration, property deed, or voter registration card work as well. The document must show your full name and complete street address—a PO box alone is not enough.
Do not bring a lease or bill that shows only a partial name or a nickname. If your name on the document does not match your license exactly, bring a second document that shows both names, such as a marriage certificate or court order. If you are having trouble finding an acceptable document, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 and describe what you have—they can tell you whether it will work.
When you need to renew instead of just changing your address
If your driver's license expires within 60 days, the DPS will ask you to renew your license instead of just changing the address. Renewal means you get a new card with your new address printed on it, and you pay the renewal fee (currently $33 for a five-year license or $66 for an eight-year license in Texas, though fees can change). You can renew online, by mail, or in person using the same methods as an address change, but the process takes longer because the DPS has to produce a new card.
If your license is already expired, you must renew it—you cannot just change the address. Renewal requires a new photo and vision test, so you will need to visit a DPS office or use the online renewal system if you are may be able to access. Check the DPS website to see whether you can renew online based on your age and how long your license has been expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my address change to show up?
Online changes are when ready in the DPS system. By mail, allow two weeks. In person, the change is when ready. Your physical license card will still show your old address until you renew your license, but the DPS database is updated right away, so law enforcement and government agencies will see your correct address.
Do I need to change my address if I'm moving out of state?
You should get a driver's license from your new state within a reasonable time—most states require it within 30 to 60 days of moving. You cannot change your Texas address to an out-of-state address online. If you want to keep your Texas license temporarily, you can change it to a friend or family member's Texas address by mail or in person, but this is not recommended because it can cause problems with vehicle registration and insurance.
What if my proof of residence document doesn't have my full address?
The DPS needs your complete street address on the document. If a bill shows only an apartment number without the street address, or shows a PO box instead of a physical address, it will not work. Bring a different document that shows your full address, or contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 to ask whether your specific document is acceptable.
Can I change my address if my license is suspended or revoked?
Yes, you can change your address even if your license is suspended or revoked. The address change does not affect the suspension or revocation status. Use whichever method is easiest for you—online, mail, or in person.
Do I need to notify my insurance company or vehicle registration separately?
Yes. Changing your address with the DPS does not automatically update your auto insurance or vehicle registration. Contact your insurance company and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles separately to update your address with them. Keeping your address current with all three helps avoid problems with tickets, registration renewals, and insurance claims.