How to Change Your Address at the DMV in Michigan

Moving within Michigan means updating your address with the state so your driver’s license, ID, and vehicle records stay accurate. The process is straightforward once you know which office handles what and which method (online, by mail, or in person) fits your situation.

This guide walks through how a Michigan DMV change of address actually works, what you’ll need, and how to avoid common problems.

State Verification: Who Handles Address Changes in Michigan?

In Michigan, “DMV” functions are handled by the Michigan Department of State (often called the Secretary of State or SOS office). There is no separate “DMV” agency.

In Michigan, this is typically handled in one place:

• Driver’s licenses and state IDs
• Vehicle registration
• Vehicle titles
• Address changes for all of the above

All of these are managed through Michigan Secretary of State branch offices and online services. That means you generally do not need to track down separate agencies for your driver’s license versus your vehicle registration.

Depending on your county in Michigan, you may have several local SOS branches to choose from, but they all connect to the same statewide system.

To avoid going to the wrong office:

• Look for an official Michigan Secretary of State office (not a county clerk or a court) for driver and vehicle address changes.
• If you use online services, make sure you are on the official Michigan.gov domain before entering personal information.

Why Updating Your Address Matters in Michigan

Many drivers in Michigan find that they don’t think about address changes until a renewal notice or ticket goes to the wrong place. Updating your address with the Michigan Secretary of State helps in several ways:

Driver’s License and State ID

Your driver’s license or state ID needs your current residence address for:

• Law enforcement and identification checks
• Voting-related records that may sync with your license information
• Receiving renewal notices and other license-related mail

In Michigan, this is typically handled as a simple record update first; whether you request a new physical card is often up to you, unless other changes are involved.

Vehicle Registration

Your vehicle registration must reflect your correct mailing or residence address so that:

• Renewal notices go to the right place
• Registration-related fees and local requirements are accurately applied
• You can prove current registration if requested

In Michigan, a DMV change of address usually updates your license and registration records together when you complete the process correctly, but it’s important to confirm both were updated.

Vehicle Title

For vehicle titles, having the correct address helps ensure:

• Title documents, lien releases, or corrected titles go to the right address
• Future title transfers are smoother

In Michigan, title address records are tied to your SOS account and vehicle record. A change of address request often carries through, but if you recently bought or sold a vehicle, you may want to verify your title information separately.

Official Notices and Legal Documents

The address on file with the Michigan Secretary of State is often used for:

• Court-related or suspension notices
• Notices about insurance requirements
• Recall or safety-related mailings tied to your registration

If your address is wrong, you might miss important mail even though it was “properly sent” to the address on record.

What You’ll Need to Change Your Address in Michigan

Before you start your DMV change of address Michigan process, gather a few basic items. Requirements can vary slightly based on whether you use online, mail, or in-person options, but most people will need:

Basic Information

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Michigan driver’s license or state ID number
• Last four digits of your Social Security number (for identity verification, especially online)
• Current license plate numbers for vehicles you want to update
• Old address as listed on your current license/registration
• New Michigan address (including apartment/unit number if applicable)

In Michigan, this is typically handled as a combined update for all vehicles registered to you, but you can usually choose which vehicles to change if needed.

Possible Proof of Address

While a simple address update may not always require you to upload or present documents, you should be ready with:

• A lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax record
• A utility bill, bank statement, or pay stub with your name and new address
• Official government correspondence mailed to your new address

These are especially relevant if:

• Your move involves a more complex situation (e.g., no traditional street address)
• You have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• You’re updating name and address at the same time

Why Address Change Requests Get Rejected

Common reasons the Michigan DMV change of address request can fail include:

• Mismatched information – Name, date of birth, or license number don’t match state records.
• Incomplete new address – Missing apartment/unit number or incorrect street spelling.
• Out-of-state address – Michigan records generally require a valid Michigan residence address, with limited exceptions (such as some military situations).
• System eligibility limits – Certain license types or recent changes may block online updates and push you to an in-person visit.
• Name changes not handled – Trying to change your name and address together online when the system only supports address-only changes.

If your request doesn’t go through online, you can usually resolve the issue by going to a local Michigan Secretary of State office with identification and proof of your new address.

How to Change Your Address in Michigan: Step-by-Step Options

In Michigan, you typically have three ways to complete a Michigan DMV change of address:

• Online
• In person at a Secretary of State branch
• By mail (for certain situations)

The exact options depend on your license type, residency, and how recently you updated your records.

Do License and Registration Update Together?

In Michigan, this is typically handled as a combined transaction:

• When you change your address for your driver’s license or state ID, the system usually updates your vehicle registration address for vehicles tied to your record at the same time.
• However, depending on your circumstances in Michigan, you may need to confirm each vehicle to be updated during the process, especially if you own multiple vehicles.

Always verify the address on both your license/ID record and vehicle registration after you complete the process.

Option 1: Change Your Address Online in Michigan

Many drivers in Michigan find that the fastest option is using the state’s online services.

Who Is Usually Eligible for Online Address Change?

Online services are commonly available to:

• Most Michigan residents with a valid Michigan driver’s license or state ID
• People who still have the same name and license number (no recent name change)
• Drivers whose license/ID is not expired beyond the state’s online eligibility window
• Non-commercial drivers (CDL holders may face extra restrictions)

To confirm if you’re eligible, go to the official Michigan.gov website, navigate to the Secretary of State or online services section, and look for “change of address” or “update address.”

Steps to Change Your Address Online

1. Go to the official Michigan government site

   • Use a search term like “Michigan Secretary of State online services change of address.”
   • Make sure the URL ends in .gov and clearly identifies the Michigan Department of State.

2. Log in or create an account (if required)

   • Provide your driver’s license or ID number, date of birth, and other requested details.

3. Select the address change option

   • Look for wording such as “Update address,” “Change address on driver’s license/ID,” or similar.

4. Enter your new address

   • Type the complete address carefully, including apartment or lot number, and verify spelling.
   • If prompted, confirm which vehicles you want to update.

5. Review and submit

   • Double-check old and new addresses, and confirm any vehicles listed.
   • Submit the transaction and wait for any confirmation screen or email.

6. Decide whether to order a new physical license or ID (if offered)

   • In Michigan, this is typically handled as two parts:
     • Updating the record (your address on file)
     • Optionally ordering a replacement card showing the new address

If a Michigan DMV change of address form is available online, you may complete it as part of the process or through your account; be sure to follow the instructions on the official site.

Option 2: Change Your Address In Person at a Michigan Secretary of State Office

If you are not eligible for online services, prefer face-to-face help, or have a more complex situation, you can visit a Michigan Secretary of State branch.

When You May Need to Go In Person

In Michigan, this is typically handled in person if:

• You have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Your license is expired beyond online renewal limits
• You are changing name and address together
• You have significant changes to your record (for example, identity document changes)
• You tried online and received a message that you must appear in person

How to Prepare

Bring:

• Your current Michigan driver’s license or state ID
• New address information (written clearly, including ZIP code and apartment number)
• Proof of Michigan residency at the new address, if required (such as a lease or utility bill)
• Information about any vehicles you own (license plate numbers)

Before heading out, you can:

• Use the official Michigan Secretary of State website to locate the nearest branch and check its hours or appointment options.
• Confirm whether you need an appointment or if walk-ins are accepted.

In-Person Steps

1. Check in at the Secretary of State office

   • Indicate that you need to change your address on your driver’s license/ID and vehicle registration.

2. Provide your identification

   • Show your existing license or state ID and any requested supporting documents.

3. Complete any required form

   • In some offices, you may fill out a short address change form or provide the details to a clerk.

4. Confirm vehicles to update

   • Confirm that all vehicles registered in your name will have their addresses updated.

5. Request a new physical license or ID, if needed

   • Depending on Michigan’s current procedures, you may be offered or required to get a new card showing the new address.
   • There may be a replacement fee; check the current amount on the official site or ask staff.

6. Get your receipt or confirmation

   • Keep any receipt that notes your new address or change request, especially if you won’t get a new card immediately.

Option 3: Change Your Address by Mail in Michigan

In some situations, Michigan may allow you to change your address by mail using a Michigan DMV change of address form or written request.

Depending on your county in Michigan and your specific circumstances, mail-in changes may be:

• More common for residents temporarily out of state
• Used when online access is limited
• Available for some registration-only address updates

To see if a mail-in option is available and to obtain the correct mailing address and any required form:

• Go to Michigan.gov, navigate to the Secretary of State section, and search for “change of address by mail.”
• Or call the general information number listed on the official Secretary of State site for address changes and ask about mail-in options.

If you are allowed to change your address by mail, you will typically need to:

1. Obtain the correct form or instructions from the official site or an SOS branch.
2. Fill in your personal and license information clearly.
3. Provide your old and new addresses in full.
4. List vehicles whose registration address should be updated.
5. Mail the form to the exact address provided on the official instructions.

Do not mail personal information to any address that does not come from the official Michigan Secretary of State website or a printed instruction from that office.

Summary Table: Michigan Address Change Methods

After You Submit Your Michigan Address Change

Once you complete a Michigan DMV change of address, a few things generally happen behind the scenes.

Your Records Are Updated

In Michigan, this is typically handled by updating:

• Your driver’s license or state ID record with the new address
• All active vehicle registrations in your name that you selected during the process
• Title records associated with your vehicles in the database

Online confirmations often display your updated address right away; in-person changes may appear as soon as the transaction is processed.

Physical License or ID Card

Outcomes can differ:

• Record-only change – Your address is updated in the system, but your physical card still shows your old address until you renew or request a replacement.
• Replacement card – If you request or are required to get a new card, it will be mailed to your new address on file.

Avoid exact timeline assumptions; card production and mailing times can vary based on volume and location in Michigan.

Registration Documents

Your registration address is usually updated as part of the same transaction. New registration documents or stickers may:

• Be printed or updated at the branch (if handled in person), or
• Be mailed to your new address on file (if changed online or by mail)

Check your next renewal notice to make sure it arrives at your new address.

Special Situations for Address Changes in Michigan

Certain groups in Michigan face extra rules or options when changing addresses.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

If you hold a Michigan CDL:

• You may be restricted from making certain changes online.
• Federal and state regulations often require stricter address verification.
• In Michigan, this is typically handled at a Secretary of State branch, where you may need to show additional proof of residency.

Always verify CDL-specific rules on the official Michigan Secretary of State website before assuming you can update your address online.

Active-Duty Military and Families

If you are a Michigan resident serving in the military:

• You may remain a Michigan resident while stationed elsewhere and retain your Michigan license.
• Depending on your situation, your mailing address might differ from your physical location.

In Michigan, this is typically handled with some flexibility, but rules can vary, so it’s wise to:

• Check the “military residents” or “out-of-state residents” section of the Michigan Secretary of State site.
• Confirm whether a temporary or military address is acceptable for license and registration records.

College Students

Michigan college students often move between campus, home, and internships:

• If your primary residence for licensing purposes changes (for example, moving from a parent’s home to your own long-term address), update your license and registration.
• If your campus mailing address is temporary, you may still choose to keep your permanent residence on file and update mail forwarding through USPS instead.

Depending on your county in Michigan, local practices around residency and voting may also factor into your decision. For legal questions about residency, consider getting independent advice.

New Michigan Residents (From Out of State)

If you’ve moved to Michigan from another state:

• You generally need to apply for a Michigan driver’s license and register your vehicles in Michigan, rather than doing an “address change” on an out-of-state license.
• This is more than a simple Michigan DMV change of address; it’s a full new resident licensing and registration process.

You can find new resident instructions by searching the official Michigan government site for “new Michigan resident driver’s license” and “new resident vehicle registration.”

P.O. Boxes and Rural Routes

In some parts of Michigan, especially in rural areas:

• Your mailing address may be a P.O. box or rural route number.
• Your physical residence address may be different.

In Michigan, this is typically handled by:

• Recording your physical residence address (for licensing and some registration purposes); and
• Accepting a P.O. box as a mailing address for where documents are sent, when allowed.

Check the Secretary of State instructions carefully to see if they ask for both residence and mailing addresses.

Changing Name and Address Together

If you’ve changed your name (for example, through marriage or court order) and also moved:

• Many drivers in Michigan find that they must update their name first with the Social Security Administration, then update both name and address with the Michigan Secretary of State.
• This often requires an in-person visit with documentation (such as a marriage certificate or court order) and proof of your new address.

Confirm the exact sequence and required documents on the Michigan Secretary of State site before heading to a branch.

Troubleshooting Michigan Address Change Problems

If your DMV change of address Michigan doesn’t go as planned, there are a few common scenarios and solutions.

1. Online Address Change Rejection

If the online system won’t let you complete your update:

• Carefully recheck your entries
  • Confirm your driver’s license/ID number, date of birth, and last four of your SSN.
• Verify eligibility
  • Your license might be expired, suspended, or otherwise ineligible for online processing.
• Try a different device or browser
  • Technical issues sometimes cause failures.

If you continue to get an error, the next step in Michigan is typically to visit a Secretary of State branch with your ID and proof of your new address.

2. Submitted, But Not Updated

If you submitted your change (online or by mail) but your records still show the old address:

• Check for confirmation
  • Look in your email (including spam/junk) for any transaction record or error message.
• Wait a reasonable amount of time
  • System updates are often immediate, but some mail-in or backlogged transactions may take longer.
• Contact the Secretary of State
  • Use the contact information on the official Michigan.gov site and provide your license number and the date you submitted the change.

Depending on your county in Michigan and local processing volume, delays can happen. Having your confirmation or receipt handy will make troubleshooting easier.

3. Rejected Request

If you receive notice that your address change was rejected:

• Review the reason given in the notice or error message.
  Common reasons:
  • Invalid or incomplete address
  • Name mismatch or identity verification failure
  • Ineligible license type for that method
• Gather additional documents
  • Proof of residency at the new address
  • Identity documents used when you obtained your license
• Follow the instructions in the notice
  • Often, the solution is to visit a local branch with physical documents.

In Michigan, this is typically handled case-by-case at the counter, where staff can see what went wrong in the system and correct it.

4. License Updated, Registration Didn’t (or Vice Versa)

Sometimes your driver’s license record might show the new address, but your vehicle registration still lists the old one, or the other way around.

If this happens:

1. Log in again to the online system or look at your most recent registration paperwork to confirm what is on file.
2. Check whether you selected all vehicles during the address change process.
3. Request a separate update for registration if needed, using the online services or a visit to a branch.

In Michigan, this is typically handled as a combined update, but it’s still possible for one piece to be missed if you skipped a step or own multiple vehicles.

5. You Moved Out of Michigan

If you moved out of Michigan to another state:

• You usually need to:
  • Obtain a new driver’s license in your new state, and
  • Register your vehicles there according to that state’s rules.
• Your Michigan license and plates may eventually become invalid or need to be surrendered, depending on your new state’s procedures.

For questions about cancelling or updating Michigan registrations after you move, search the official Secretary of State site for “moving out of Michigan” or contact the office using the phone or email information listed there.

How to Safely Find Official Michigan Address Change Information

To avoid phishing or outdated instructions, use only official state sources for your Michigan DMV change of address:

• Type Michigan.gov directly into your browser and navigate to the Secretary of State or Driver and Vehicle Services section.
• Use the site’s search box to look for “change of address,” “update address driver’s license,” or “online services.”
• Verify that any forms or addresses you use match what is listed on the official pages.

One commonly used starting point for online transactions is the Michigan Secretary of State’s “Online Services” page at:

• https://www.michigan.gov/sos

From there, you can follow the links to driver and vehicle address changes.

Keeping your information current with the Michigan Secretary of State helps ensure that your license, registration, and title records all match where you actually live. Whether you use the online system, visit a branch, or qualify to update your records by mail, taking a few minutes to complete your Michigan DMV change of address now can prevent missed notices and complications later.