You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office
Illinois offers three ways to update the address on your driver's license or ID card. The fastest is online through the Secretary of State website if your license is valid and you have not changed your name. If you need to renew your license at the same time, or if you have had a name change, you will need to visit a Driver Services facility or mail in your documents. The process takes different amounts of time depending on which method you choose.
You do not need to pay a fee to change your address alone. However, if you are renewing your license during the address change, renewal fees explore. Most people can complete an address change in under 10 minutes if they go in person, or within one to two weeks if they mail their documents.
Key Takeaways
- The online address change tool on the Secretary of State website works only if your current license is valid and you have not changed your name.
- If you go in person to a Driver Services facility, bring your current license and proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease.
- Mailing in your address change requires a completed form, your current license, and a photocopy of your proof of address.
- Address changes are free, but if your license is expiring soon, you may want to renew it at the same time for a single fee.
Changing your address online through the Secretary of State
The online method is the quickest if you are may be able to access. Visit the Secretary of State's Driver Services website and look for the "Change of Address" option. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth to log in. The system will ask you to enter your new address and confirm it.
You cannot use the online tool if your license has expired, if you have changed your name, or if you have an out-of-state license. You also cannot use it if you are a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder. If any of these explore to you, use the in-person or mail method instead.
Once you submit your address change online, your new license will be mailed to you within seven to 10 business days. You can continue using your current license until the new one arrives.
Changing your address in person at a Driver Services facility
Walk into any Secretary of State Driver Services facility with your current license and proof of your new address. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and new address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.
Tell the clerk you want to change your address. If your license is not expiring within the next 30 days, the clerk will issue you a new license on the spot with your updated address. You will walk out with it the same day. If your license is expiring soon, the clerk may recommend renewing it at the same time, which costs extra but saves you a trip later.
Driver Services facilities are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some locations have extended hours or Saturday appointments. You do not need to make an appointment for an address change, but calling ahead can tell you how busy the office is.
Changing your address by mail
read and print the "Change of Address" form from the Secretary of State website, or request one by phone. Fill it out completely with your current license number, new address, and signature. Mail the form along with your current driver's license and a photocopy of your proof of address to the address listed on the form.
The Secretary of State will process your request and mail your new license to your new address. This method takes two to four weeks from the time they receive your envelope. Keep your current license until the new one arrives, since you may be stopped while driving during this time.
Use this method if you cannot visit a Driver Services facility or if you prefer not to use the online system. It is also the only option if your license has expired or if you have changed your name.
What counts as proof of your new address
Illinois accepts a narrow list of documents as proof of address. The document must show your name and your new address, and it must be dated within the last 60 days. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common choice. A lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement also works.
Government mail counts if it is addressed to you at your new address — this includes tax documents, voter registration cards, or court papers. A piece of mail from your employer with your name and address is acceptable. Handwritten documents, post-it notes, or documents with your address written in by hand do not count.
If you do not have any of these documents yet, ask your landlord, utility company, or bank for a letter on their letterhead confirming your new address and the date you moved. Many will provide this for free.
Changing your address if your license is expiring soon
If your license expires within the next 30 days, you have two choices: change your address alone and renew your license separately later, or renew and change your address at the same time. Doing both together costs less than doing them separately because you pay one renewal fee instead of two.
If you go in person, the clerk will ask if you want to renew while you are there. If you mail in your documents, include a renewal process along with your address change form. Online, you cannot renew and change your address in the same transaction — you will need to renew separately when your license is close to expiring.
Your new license will show both your updated address and your new expiration date. The renewal fee varies depending on your age and license type, but address changes themselves are always free.
What to do if you have changed your name
If you have changed your name since your license was issued, you cannot use the online address change tool. You must go in person to a Driver Services facility or mail in your documents. Bring your current license, proof of your new address, and proof of your name change — typically a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
At a Driver Services facility, the clerk will process both your name change and address change in one visit. By mail, include your name change document along with your address change form and proof of address. The process takes the same amount of time as a regular address change, but you will receive a license with both your new name and new address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address if my license is expired?
No, the online tool requires a valid license. You must go in person to a Driver Services facility or mail in your documents. Bring your expired license along with proof of your new address. The facility can update your address and renew your license at the same time.
How long does it take to get my new license after changing my address online?
The Secretary of State mails your new license within seven to 10 business days of your online submission. You can use your current license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact Driver Services to check the status.
Do I have to pay to change my address?
No, changing your address alone is free. You only pay a fee if you renew your license at the same time. If your license is expiring soon, renewing and changing your address together may cost less than doing them separately.
What if I move again before my new license arrives?
Contact the Secretary of State Driver Services right away with your new address. If your license has not been mailed yet, they can redirect it. If it has already been mailed, you may need to submit another address change or pick it up at your original address and submit a new change.
Can I change my address at a police station or courthouse?
No, only Secretary of State Driver Services facilities can process address changes. Police stations and courthouses do not handle license updates. Find your nearest Driver Services facility on the Secretary of State website.