What You Need to Do to Change Your Address in New Jersey

You can change your address with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) online, by mail, or in person at an MVC office. The online method is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. By mail takes one to two weeks. In person is when ready but requires a trip to an MVC office, which often means waiting.

New Jersey requires you to notify the MVC within 60 days of moving. If you do not update your address and are stopped by police, you can be ticketed. More importantly, your license and registration will not match your actual residence, which creates problems if you need to prove where you live for employment, housing, or banking.

Your address change applies to your driver's license, commercial driver's license (if you have one), and vehicle registration all at once. You do not need to do them separately.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method through the MVC website is free and takes about 10 minutes, and you receive confirmation when ready.
  • You must change your address within 60 days of moving, or you risk a ticket and a mismatched license and registration.
  • Your address change updates your driver's license, commercial license, and vehicle registration simultaneously — you do not file separate forms.
  • If you cannot use the online system, you can mail a form or visit an MVC office in person, though mail takes one to two weeks.
  • You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address to complete any method.

Changing Your Address Online

Go to the New Jersey MVC website at nj.gov/mvc and select "Change of Address" under the "Driver Services" section. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address. The system will ask you to confirm your identity by answering security questions based on your driving record.

Once you submit the form, you receive a confirmation number when ready. Your new address takes effect right away in the MVC system. You do not need to pay a fee. The MVC will mail you an updated license and registration card to your new address within one to two weeks, but you can legally use your old license with the new address in your file until the new card arrives.

The online system works for most people, but it will reject you if your identity verification fails or if there are flags on your record. If that happens, you will see an error message telling you to contact an MVC office or use the mail method instead.

Changing Your Address by Mail

read the "Change of Address" form (Form BA-49) from nj.gov/mvc or request one by calling the MVC at 609-292-6500. Fill in your current license number, new address, and sign the form. Include a copy of a document that shows your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work.

Mail the form and your address proof to the address listed on the form. Processing takes one to two weeks. You will receive a confirmation letter and your updated license and registration card at your new address. During the waiting period, your old license is still valid even though your address in the system has changed.

Keep a copy of what you mail and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The MVC does not always send confirmation that they received your form, so certified mail protects you if there is a dispute later.

Changing Your Address in Person at an MVC Office

Visit any MVC office with your current driver's license and a document showing your new address (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). Bring your vehicle registration card as well. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary — some offices have short lines in the morning, while others have hour-long waits in the afternoon.

The MVC agent will update your address on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your new plastic license is printed and mailed to you. Your registration is updated when ready in the system. There is no fee for an address change.

If you have multiple vehicles, you will need to update the address for each registration separately, even though you only have one license. Tell the agent at the window how many vehicles you own so they can process all of them while you are there.

Documents You Need for Any Method

For online: your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address. That is all.

For mail or in person: your current driver's license, your new address, and one document dated within the last 60 days that shows your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, or a government document like a tax return or voter registration card. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. Do not use a cell phone bill or a credit card offer — the MVC does not accept those.

If you are changing the address for a commercial driver's license (CDL), the process is the same, but bring your CDL instead of a regular license. If you have both a regular license and a CDL, one address change updates both.

What Happens After You Change Your Address

Your new address takes effect when ready in the MVC computer system. Police can see your correct address if they run your license. However, your physical license card and registration card still show your old address until the new ones arrive in the mail, which takes one to two weeks.

You can legally drive with an old card that has the wrong address on it during this waiting period — the MVC system is what matters to law enforcement. However, if you need to prove your address for a job, housing process, or bank account, you may need to show the confirmation letter or receipt from your address change, or wait for the new card to arrive.

If you move again before your new card arrives, you do not need to wait. You can file another address change when ready and the MVC will send the next card to your newest address.

Scams and Safety Alerts

Do not use third-party websites that claim to file your address change for you. Websites with names like "NJ DMV Change of Address" or "New Jersey License Update" that are not nj.gov are scams. They charge $50 to $150 to do something you can do free on the official MVC website. Some steal your personal information.

The official New Jersey MVC website is nj.gov/mvc. There is no other official site. If you are unsure whether a website is real, type nj.gov/mvc directly into your browser instead of clicking a link from an email or search result.

Do not give your Social Security number, license number, or address to anyone who calls you claiming to be from the MVC. The MVC does not call people to request address changes. If someone calls you about your license or registration, hang up and call the MVC directly at 609-292-6500 to verify the call was real.

Be cautious of emails that appear to come from the MVC asking you to "verify your information" or "confirm your address." The MVC does not send emails asking you to click links and enter personal data. If you receive such an email, do not click any links. Go directly to nj.gov/mvc instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my address if I move within New Jersey?

Yes. You must notify the MVC within 60 days of moving, even if you stay in the same county or town. The 60-day rule applies to all moves, whether across the street or across the state.

What if I move out of state?

You should notify the New Jersey MVC that you are no longer a resident. You can do this by mail using Form BA-49 and noting that you have moved out of state. However, your primary obligation is to get a license in your new state. Once you do, that state's license becomes your legal driving credential.

Can I change my address if my license is suspended or expired?

You can change your address online or by mail even if your license is suspended or expired. If you try to change it in person at an MVC office, the agent may ask you to renew or reinstate your license at the same time, which will involve additional fees and documents. Online or mail is simpler in this situation.

How long does it take to receive my new license card in the mail?

One to two weeks is typical, but it can take longer during busy periods. Your address is updated in the MVC system when ready, so you do not need to wait for the card to arrive for your address change to be official.

What if I never receive my new license card?

Contact the MVC at 609-292-6500 and provide your confirmation number from your address change. They can check the status of your card and reissue it if needed. If your card was lost in the mail, the MVC can send a replacement.