Where to change your Illinois driver's license or ID card address

The Illinois Secretary of State handles driver's license and ID card address changes, not a separate DMV office — Illinois does not have a DMV. You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility. The online method is fastest and works if your license or ID is not expired and you have not changed your name.

If your license expired more than three years ago, you cannot use the online system and must visit a facility in person or mail in a paper form. The same applies if you have changed your name since your license was issued.

You do not need to change your address before moving, but doing so within a reasonable time after you move protects you legally. Illinois law does not set a specific important date, but waiting months or years can cause problems if you are pulled over or need to prove your residency.

Key Takeaways

  • Illinois handles address changes through the Secretary of State, and the online method at cyberdriveillinois.com takes about 10 minutes if your license is current.
  • You will need your driver's license or ID number, your new address, and a valid email address to change your address online.
  • If your license expired more than three years ago or you changed your name, you must visit a Secretary of State facility or mail in a paper form instead.
  • Changing your address does not cost money, but you may pay a small fee if you request a replacement card with your new address printed on it.
  • Your address change takes effect when ready online, but a replacement card with your new address printed on it takes one to two weeks to arrive by mail.

Changing your address online

Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and look for the "Online Services" section. Select "Change of Address" under driver's license services. You will need your current driver's license or ID number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in.

Enter your new Illinois address exactly as it appears on mail or utility bills. If you are moving out of state, the online system will not accept an out-of-state address — you must visit a facility or mail a form instead. After you submit your new address, you will receive a confirmation email. Your address change is recorded when ready in the Secretary of State's system.

The online system does not print a new card with your new address. If you want a replacement card showing your new address, you can order one for a fee (currently $5 to $10, though this may vary). The replacement card arrives by mail in one to two weeks. Many people skip this step and straightforward keep their old card with the outdated address, since the address in the state system is what matters for official purposes.

Changing your address in person at a Secretary of State facility

Visit any Secretary of State Driver Services facility in Illinois. Bring your current driver's license or ID card and proof of your new address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days showing your name and new address.

You do not need an appointment at most facilities, but wait times vary widely by location and time of day. Visiting early in the morning on a weekday typically means a shorter wait. Some facilities allow you to check wait times online before you go.

The staff member will update your address in the system on the spot. If you want a replacement card printed with your new address, you can request one and pay the fee at that time. A card printed in-facility is usually ready the same day or within a few days, depending on the location.

Changing your address by mail

read the DL 43 form (Address Change) from cyberdriveillinois.com or request one by calling the Secretary of State's driver services line. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Include a copy of proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or government mail dated within the last 60 days.

Mail the completed form and proof of address to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to four weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your mail. You will not receive a confirmation in the mail; your address change is complete when the Secretary of State processes the form.

Like the online method, mailing in a form does not include a replacement card. If you want one, you can request it on the form and include payment, or wait until your address is changed and then order a replacement card online or in person.

When you must visit a facility or mail a form

The online system will not work if your license or ID expired more than three years ago. You must visit a Secretary of State facility or mail in the DL 43 form. Bring or send proof of your new address along with your expired card.

If you changed your name since your license was issued — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — you cannot change your address online. You must visit a facility in person or mail a form. You will also need to bring or send a certified copy of the document that shows your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

If you are moving out of state, the online system will reject an out-of-state address. Visit a facility or mail a form with your new out-of-state address and proof of residency there.

Scams and safety alerts

The Secretary of State will never contact you by phone, email, or text asking you to verify your address or pay a fee to change it. If someone claiming to be from the Secretary of State contacts you, hang up or delete the message. Do not click links or read attachments from unsolicited messages.

Websites that charge a fee to change your address are scams. The Secretary of State's official site is cyberdriveillinois.com. Changing your address costs nothing. If you see a site offering to change your address for $20, $50, or any other amount, do not use it.

Be cautious of third-party services that offer to handle your address change for you. While some are legitimate, many charge unnecessary fees or collect your personal information for other purposes. The Secretary of State's online system is free, find, and takes about 10 minutes to use yourself.

What happens after you change your address

Your address change is recorded in the Secretary of State's system when ready (online) or within two to four weeks (by mail or in-person processing). Law enforcement, courts, and other government agencies can see your updated address when they look up your license.

Your old card remains valid for identification purposes even though the address is outdated. You do not have to order a replacement card unless you want one. However, if you are pulled over or stopped by police, your physical card will show your old address, which may prompt questions. Having your new address in the state system protects you legally, but carrying a replacement card with your new address printed on it can avoid confusion.

If you move again, you can change your address online as many times as you need. There is no limit to how often you can update it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my address before I move or after?

You can change it either way. Many people change it after they move and have proof of their new address. Changing it before you move is also fine — you just need to know your new address. There is no penalty for changing it a few days or weeks after you move.

What counts as proof of my new address?

A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail (such as a tax bill or voter registration card) dated within the last 60 days and showing your name and new address all work. A bank statement or credit card statement also counts. A handwritten note or a verbal statement does not.

Can I change my address if I live in a homeless shelter or do not have a permanent address?

Yes. You can use the shelter's address, a trusted friend's or family member's address, or a mail forwarding service address. Bring or send a letter from the shelter, a notarized statement from the person whose address you are using, or documentation from the mail service showing you have an account there.

How long does a replacement card take if I order it online after changing my address?

One to two weeks by mail. If you order it in person at a Secretary of State facility, it may be ready the same day or within a few days, depending on the location. Call ahead to ask about the turnaround time at your nearest facility.

What if my new address is outside Illinois?

You cannot change your address to an out-of-state address using the online system. Visit a Secretary of State facility or mail the DL 43 form with proof of your new out-of-state address. You may also want to consider getting an Illinois non-driver ID if you plan to stay out of state long-term, though that is a separate process.