How to Change Your Address at the DMV in Georgia

Moving within Georgia means updating your address with the state agencies that handle your driver’s license and vehicle records. A Georgia DMV change of address affects where your license, registration notices, and other official mail are sent, so it’s worth doing correctly the first time.

This guide walks through how address changes work in Georgia, what you’ll need, and how to handle special situations.

State verification: who handles DMV address changes in Georgia?

In Georgia, traditional “DMV” functions are split between two main agencies:

  • Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) – handles:

    • Driver’s licenses and learner’s permits
    • ID cards
    • Address changes for licenses and IDs

  • Georgia Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) – works through your county tax commissioner’s office to handle:

    • Vehicle registrations
    • License plates and decals
    • Titles
    • Address changes for registrations and titles

In Georgia, this is typically handled as two separate updates:

  1. Driver’s license/ID address – done with DDS
  2. Vehicle registration/title address – done with your county tag office (MVD)

That means you usually cannot update everything in one place. Many drivers in Georgia find that they update a license address online with DDS, then separately update their vehicle address with their county tag office.

To avoid wasted trips:

  • Use DDS (online or in person) for license/ID address changes
  • Use your county tax commissioner/tag office (online, in person, or by mail if allowed) for registration and title address changes

You can find DDS’s official site at:
https://dds.georgia.gov

Why updating your address in Georgia matters

Updating your address is more than a formality. In Georgia, this affects:

  • Your Georgia driver’s license or ID

    • Your physical card should show your current residential address (with limited exceptions such as some military situations).
    • Law enforcement and other agencies may rely on the address printed on your license.

  • Vehicle registration

    • Renewal notices and registration reminders are mailed to the address on file.
    • Depending on your county in Georgia, your address can affect local taxes and where your vehicle must be registered.

  • Vehicle title

    • Your title is the legal record of ownership.
    • Having the wrong address may complicate future transactions, like selling the vehicle or applying for a lien release.

  • Official notices and deadlines

    • In Georgia, this is typically handled through mailed notices for:
      • Registration renewals and emissions requirements (in some metro counties)
      • Certain license status updates or suspensions
    • If your address is outdated, you may miss important notices, which can lead to lapses, late fees, or enforcement actions.

  • Jury duty and voter information (indirectly)

    • While these are managed by separate agencies, they sometimes rely on information connected to your Georgia driver’s license or vehicle records.

Keeping your address current helps ensure you receive time-sensitive mail and your documents match your actual residence within Georgia.

What you’ll need to change your address

You usually won’t need a large stack of paperwork, but being prepared can prevent delays. In Georgia, this is typically handled with a mix of basic identity information and, in some cases, proof of your new address.

Common information and documents

For a Georgia DMV change of address (license/ID with DDS):

  • Your current Georgia driver’s license or ID number
  • Your full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Last 4 digits of your Social Security number (or other identity verification, if prompted)
  • New residential address in Georgia
  • Mailing address, if different (for example, a P.O. box, when allowed)
  • Proof of address, when required (for some in-person transactions), such as:
    • Utility bill
    • Lease agreement
    • Bank statement
    • Mortgage statement or property tax bill

For vehicle registration/title address changes (through your county tag office):

  • Your Georgia license plate number
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (often listed on your insurance card or registration)
  • Current Georgia registration card
  • New Georgia address
  • Photo ID (Georgia license/ID) if you go in person
  • Proof of address, if your county requires it

Depending on your county in Georgia, additional documentation may be requested, especially for:

  • Recently purchased vehicles
  • Vehicles with liens
  • Company-owned vehicles

Why address change requests get rejected

Requests often get delayed or rejected in Georgia for reasons like:

  • Name and address don’t match other records
    • For example, a name change was never formally updated with DDS.
  • Entering an address outside Georgia
    • Once you become a resident of another state, you’re usually expected to get a new out-of-state license and registration there.
  • Using a P.O. box when a physical address is required
    • Many Georgia licensing transactions require a physical residential address, even if your mailing address is a P.O. box.
  • Incomplete online submission
    • Skipping required fields or not confirming your changes at the end of the process.
  • Unclear or unacceptable proof of address
    • Expired documents, or documents not in your name, may not be accepted in person.

To avoid problems, use your exact legal name as it appears on your current Georgia license and make sure your new address is entered correctly.

Step-by-step options to change your address in Georgia

In Georgia, there are separate processes for updating driver’s license/ID and vehicle registration/title records. Each can usually be done online or in person, and sometimes by mail for registration.

1. Change your address on a Georgia driver’s license or ID (DDS)

Option A: Change your address online with DDS (if eligible)

Many drivers in Georgia find that the fastest way is to use DDS’s online services.

You can access official online services at:
https://dds.georgia.gov

Look for online services related to license/ID address change or renew/update license.

Typical steps:

  1. Go to the DDS online services page.
  2. Log in or create an online account.
    • You’ll usually need your Georgia license/ID number, date of birth, and other identifying details.
  3. Select the option to change your address (or renew/update with a new address).
  4. Enter your new Georgia address (and mailing address, if different).
  5. Review and confirm your information.
  6. Pay any required fee, if a new physical card is being issued.
  7. Submit your request and save or print your confirmation, if available.

In Georgia, this is typically handled as either:

  • An address-only update (the system updates records but your card may or may not be reissued, depending on state rules at the time), or
  • An updated license/ID card with your new address printed.

Check DDS instructions carefully to see whether a new license card will be mailed to you after an online address change.

Option B: Change your address in person at a DDS customer service center

You may need or prefer to update your address at a DDS center, for example if:

  • You do not qualify for online services
  • Your license is expired, suspended, or has another issue
  • You need to update other information at the same time (e.g., a name change)

In Georgia, this is typically handled at DDS customer service centers, which are different from county tag offices.

General steps:

  1. Find a nearby DDS center.
    • From the DDS website, search for “Customer Service Centers” to locate an office and check hours.
  2. Gather required documents, such as:
    • Your current Georgia license/ID
    • Proof of your new address (if required)
  3. Visit the DDS center and complete the address change request.
  4. Have your photo taken, if needed.
  5. Pay any required fee if a new card is issued.
  6. Receive a receipt or temporary document, if provided, and wait for your new card by mail, if applicable.

Depending on your county in Georgia, nearby DDS centers may be busier at certain times of day, so arriving early can reduce your wait.

2. Change your address on Georgia vehicle registration and title (MVD / County Tag Office)

Updating your vehicle registration and title address is separate from your license update. This is handled through your county’s tax commissioner/tag office, working under the Georgia Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division.

In some counties in Georgia, you can complete a DMV change of address Georgia–style for your registration online. Other counties may require in-person or mail requests.

Option A: Online (if your county offers it)

Many Georgia counties offer online renewal and, in some cases, allow address updates as part of that process.

General approach:

  1. Locate your county tag office website.
    • From the Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division site, use the county office locator.
    • Alternatively, search “[Your County] Georgia tag office vehicle registration.”
  2. Look for online services or online registration renewal.
  3. Log in or enter your vehicle and owner information.
  4. Update your address, if the system allows it.
  5. Confirm your changes and complete any associated renewal or transaction.
  6. Save your confirmation for your records.

If your county site does not clearly allow address-only changes online, you may need to contact the office or go in person.

Option B: In person at your county tag office

In Georgia, this is typically handled at the tax commissioner’s tag office for your county of residence.

Typical steps:

  1. Confirm which county office you must visit.
    • Your vehicle should be registered in the county where you actually live.
  2. Gather necessary documents:
    • Current registration card
    • Georgia driver’s license/ID
    • Proof of new address (if required by your county)
  3. Visit the tag office during business hours.
  4. Request to update the address on your registration (and title, if appropriate).
  5. Review any printed information to confirm the new address is correct.
  6. Pay any applicable fees, if charged for reissued documents or other transactions.

Depending on your county in Georgia, you may be able to update the registration address and title address in a single visit. Ask the clerk whether your title record will also reflect your new address.

Option C: By mail (if accepted by your county)

Some Georgia counties accept address change requests for vehicle registrations by mail, especially when submitted with a renewal. Procedures vary by county.

Common steps might include:

  1. Check your county tag office website for any address change form or instructions.
  2. Complete any required Georgia DMV change of address form for your registration (if your county provides one).
  3. Include copies of requested documents, such as your current registration and ID.
  4. Mail everything to the address listed on your county’s website and allow processing time.

Always follow your specific county’s mailing instructions. In Georgia, this is typically handled at the county level, so requirements can differ from one area to another.

Do license and registration address changes happen together in Georgia?

No. In Georgia, updating your driver’s license address with DDS does not automatically update your vehicle registration or title with the Motor Vehicle Division, and vice versa.

You should plan to:

  • Update your license/ID with DDS, and
  • Update your vehicle records with your county tag office/MVD separately.

Many drivers in Georgia find that doing the DDS change online first, then handling the vehicle registration update, helps keep records consistent.

What happens after you submit your address change?

After you complete a Georgia DMV change of address, here’s what to expect.

For your driver’s license or ID (DDS)

After an online or in-person license address change:

  • You may receive a new license/ID card by mail, if the transaction included reissuing your card.
  • Your DDS record should show your new address, even if your physical card hasn’t arrived yet.
  • You can often log in to DDS online services later to confirm that your address is updated in their system.

Processing times can vary. If a new card is being mailed, keep your current card and receipt or temporary document (if provided) until the new card arrives.

For your vehicle registration and title (MVD / county tag office)

After updating your vehicle address:

  • Registration mail will go to your new address going forward (renewal notices, decals, etc.).
  • If your county issues an updated registration card, it may be given to you on the spot or mailed to you.
  • The title record should reflect your new address if that change was part of the transaction.

Keep an eye on your incoming mail in the weeks after your move. In Georgia, this is typically handled through standard mail services, so ensure your postal mail forwarding is also in place while records are being updated.

Special situations for Georgia drivers

Certain groups in Georgia face extra considerations when changing their address.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders

For CDL holders in Georgia:

  • CDL address changes must follow federal and state requirements.
  • You may be required to appear in person at a DDS center to update your CDL.
  • Bring:
    • Your current Georgia CDL
    • Proof of your new Georgia address
    • Any additional CDL-related documents if required

Because CDL rules can be stricter, review the CDL section of the DDS website before you go.

Active-duty military and families

If you’re active-duty military stationed in Georgia (or a Georgia resident stationed elsewhere):

  • Your legal residency and physical residence may differ.
  • In some cases, you might keep a permanent address in Georgia while living temporarily elsewhere.
  • Georgia DDS may have specific guidance for:
    • Service members on deployment
    • Spouses and dependents who move frequently

Search the DDS site for “military” and “address change” to see current rules and any available accommodations.

College students in Georgia

If you’re a student attending school in Georgia:

  • If you move from another state to Georgia and become a resident, you’ll generally need a Georgia license and registration.
  • If you’re a Georgia resident temporarily living in on-campus or off-campus housing, you may need to update your address if:
    • You spend most of your time at the new address, and
    • You receive important mail there.

Depending on your county in Georgia, school housing addresses may have specific instructions, especially for registration and parking.

New residents moving to Georgia from another state

Moving into Georgia from another state is not just an address change:

  • You typically must:
    • Obtain a Georgia driver’s license from DDS, and
    • Register and title your vehicle in Georgia through your county tag office.
  • Out-of-state licenses and registrations generally cannot be “updated” with a Georgia address; they must be converted to Georgia documents.

Search the DDS site for “New to Georgia” and your county’s tag office for detailed instructions.

P.O. boxes and rural routes

In Georgia, this is typically handled as follows:

  • DDS usually requires a physical residential address for your driver’s license record.
  • You may be able to provide a separate mailing address (such as a P.O. box) for correspondence.
  • For rural routes and non-standard addresses, make sure:
    • Your address format matches what’s recognized by the postal service.
    • You verify with your county tag office if any special format is required for registration records.

Name and address changes at the same time

If you’ve changed your name (due to marriage, divorce, or court order) and also moved:

  • In Georgia, you generally need to update your name first, then update your address.
  • DDS will usually require legal name change documents (like a marriage certificate or court order).
  • Once your name is updated on your Georgia license/ID, you can proceed to:
    • Update your address with DDS, and
    • Update your registration and title with your county tag office under the new name and address.

Handling name and address changes in one visit is sometimes possible, but always check DDS documentation to confirm the required sequence and documents.

Troubleshooting: what to do if your address change doesn’t go through

Even when you follow the steps carefully, issues can arise. Here’s how common problems play out in Georgia and what you can do.

1. Online address change rejected or won’t process

If your online address change (with DDS or a county tag office) is rejected:

  • Double-check:
    • You entered your name exactly as printed on your current license/ID or registration.
    • Your date of birth, license/ID number, and the last 4 digits of your SSN (if requested) are correct.
    • Your new address is within Georgia and correctly spelled.

If repeated attempts fail:

  • Contact DDS or your county tag office directly.
  • Ask if:
    • There is a hold or flag on your record.
    • You must appear in person to verify your identity or address.

In Georgia, this is typically handled quickly once a clerk can review your record directly.

2. You submitted an address change, but records don’t show it

If your DDS or registration record still shows the old address after you’ve submitted an update:

  • Allow some time for processing, especially if you changed your address by mail or during peak periods.
  • Then:
    • Log back into DDS online services to confirm your license/ID address, or
    • Call or visit your county tag office to confirm your registration address.

Have your confirmation number or receipt ready, if you received one.

3. Your request was rejected due to documentation

If an in-person or mailed request is rejected because of documentation:

  • Ask the clerk for a specific list of what was missing or unacceptable.
  • Common fixes include:
    • Providing a more recent proof of address (for example, a newer utility bill).
    • Providing documentation in your own name, not a roommate’s or relative’s.
    • Bringing the original court order or marriage certificate for a name change.

Depending on your county in Georgia, acceptable proof-of-address documents can be more or less strict, so make sure you know exactly which documents are acceptable before returning.

4. License updated, but registration didn’t (or vice versa)

Because DDS and the Motor Vehicle Division are separate:

  • It’s common to see your license address updated while your registration address remains old, or the other way around.
  • Log in or contact each agency separately:
    • DDS – to confirm your license/ID address
    • County tag office – to confirm your registration and title address

If one is outdated, follow the appropriate process to update that record. Many drivers in Georgia find it helpful to note the date they updated each system for their records.

5. You moved out of Georgia

If you’ve moved from Georgia to another state:

  • Typically, you’ll:
    • Get a new driver’s license in your new state, and
    • Register and title your vehicle there.
  • Your Georgia license is usually no longer valid once you’re licensed in another state.
  • Georgia registration will generally need to be canceled or allowed to lapse once you have registered in your new state, depending on local rules.

Check your new state’s DMV or licensing agency for their specific requirements, and consult the Georgia DDS and Department of Revenue websites for any guidance on surrendering plates or updating your status when you leave Georgia.

Keeping your address current with both DDS and your county tag office is an important part of driving legally and staying on top of your obligations in Georgia. Your practical next steps are:

  1. Update your driver’s license/ID address with DDS – online if you’re eligible, or in person at a DDS customer service center.
  2. Update your vehicle registration (and title) address with your county tag office, using online, in-person, or mail options as your county allows.
  3. Verify both updates after a short processing period to make sure your Georgia records all show the same, correct address.

By handling both sides—license and vehicle—soon after your move, you can be confident that your Georgia DMV change of address is fully taken care of.