Where the Fairfax DMV Offices Are Located
Fairfax County has two full-service DMV locations: one in Fairfax City and one in Falls Church. The Fairfax City office is at 10520 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030. The Falls Church office is at 223 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. Both offices handle driver's licenses, vehicle registration, and title work during the same hours.
If you live in the northern part of the county, the Falls Church location may be closer. If you're in central or southern Fairfax, the Fairfax City office is typically more convenient. Both offices are staffed equally and process the same types of transactions, so you can visit whichever is nearer to you.
Hours at both locations are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The offices close on Sundays and state holidays. Fairfax County also operates a satellite office in Reston at 12011 Sunset Hills Road, but this location handles only vehicle registration and title services — not driver's licenses.
Key Takeaways
- Fairfax County has two full-service DMV offices in Fairfax City and Falls Church, plus a registration-only satellite in Reston.
- You can renew your driver's license online through the Virginia DMV website if you meet basic requirements, which saves a trip to the office.
- Vehicle registration renewals can be done by mail, online, or in person, and online renewal is the fastest option.
- Bring your Social Security number, proof of residency, and any documents related to your specific transaction when you visit.
- Wait times vary by location and time of day; Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons typically have longer lines than weekday mornings.
Driver's License Renewal and Replacement in Fairfax
Virginia allows you to renew your driver's license online through the state DMV website if your license is not expired and you have no medical restrictions. The online renewal costs $24 and takes about two weeks to arrive by mail. You do not need to visit an office for a standard renewal unless your license has already expired or you need to update your photo.
If you need a new photo or your license has been expired for more than one year, you must visit one of the Fairfax offices in person. Bring your current license or ID, proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of current Virginia residency (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days). The in-person renewal costs $24 and you receive a temporary license to use when ready while your permanent card is mailed.
If your license was lost or stolen, report it to the Virginia DMV before you visit. You can report a lost license online at the DMV website, which speeds up the replacement process. A replacement license costs $15 and takes the same two weeks to arrive by mail.
Vehicle Registration and Title Services
Vehicle registration renewal in Virginia can be done online, by mail, or in person at any DMV office. The online renewal through the Virginia DMV website is the fastest method and costs the same as in-person renewal. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration card, and a valid payment method.
If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Virginia, you must visit an office in person. Bring the vehicle's title (or proof of ownership if the title is being transferred), proof of a Virginia safety inspection completed within 60 days, proof of insurance, and proof of residency. The Fairfax City and Falls Church offices both handle new registrations during regular hours.
Title transfers and corrections require an in-person visit. If you bought a used vehicle from a private seller, bring the signed title, a bill of sale, proof of insurance, and proof of residency. If the title is held by a lender, the lender must sign the title before you can transfer it. Processing a title transfer typically takes one business day, and you receive a temporary registration to drive home.
What Documents to Bring and How to Prepare
The documents you need depend on your specific transaction, but a few items are required for almost everything: a valid photo ID, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of current Virginia residency. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A driver's license counts as both photo ID and proof of residency if it shows your current address.
For vehicle transactions, always bring your current registration card and your vehicle's title if you have it. If you do not have the title, contact the Virginia DMV before your visit to learn what documents the office will accept as proof of ownership. Bring your vehicle identification number (VIN) written down so you do not have to look it up at the office.
If you are bringing documents from another state or country, bring the originals and one photocopy. The DMV staff will tell you if a document needs to be certified or translated. Do not assume a document is acceptable — call the Fairfax office ahead of time if you are unsure whether what you have will work.
Wait Times and How to Avoid Them
Wait times at Fairfax DMV offices vary widely depending on the day and time. Weekday mornings between 8:15 a.m. and 10 a.m. typically have the shortest lines. Weekday afternoons after 2 p.m. and all day Saturday are usually busier. The end of the month and the end of the week see higher traffic because people rush to renew before important date.
The Fairfax City office on Main Street tends to be busier than the Falls Church location, especially on Saturdays. If you have a choice, visiting Falls Church on a weekday morning will likely mean a shorter wait. The Reston satellite office handles only registration and title work, so it may have shorter lines if you are doing one of those transactions.
You cannot reserve a time slot at Fairfax DMV offices, but you can check current wait times on the Virginia DMV website before you leave home. The website updates wait times throughout the day for both Fairfax locations. If the wait is longer than 30 minutes, consider coming back another day or trying the other office.
Special Transactions: Duplicate Titles, Address Changes, and Name Changes
If you need a duplicate title for a vehicle you own, visit either Fairfax office with your current registration and proof of ownership. A duplicate title costs $10 and takes one business day. You do not need the original title to request a duplicate.
To change your address on your driver's license, you can do it online through the Virginia DMV website if you are only updating your address and not renewing your license. The online change is free and takes effect when ready. If you are renewing your license at the same time, the address change is included in the renewal fee.
To change your name on your driver's license or vehicle registration, you must visit an office in person and bring legal proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. A name change on a driver's license costs $24 and on a vehicle title costs $15. Both are processed on the same day you visit.
Online and Mail Services to Avoid a Trip
The Virginia DMV website allows you to renew your driver's license, renew vehicle registration, pay traffic tickets, and order a duplicate registration card without visiting an office. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will need your driver's license number or vehicle identification number, depending on the service.
Vehicle registration renewal by mail is also an option. The DMV mails renewal notices 60 days before your registration expires. You can complete the form, include payment, and mail it back to the address on the notice. Mail-in renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically three to four weeks — so submit it at least one month before your registration expires.
Some transactions cannot be done online or by mail and require an in-person visit: new vehicle registration, title transfers, duplicate titles, medical certification updates, and commercial driver's license work. If you are unsure whether your transaction can be done remotely, call the Fairfax City office at the number listed on the Virginia DMV website before you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my vehicle registration at the Reston office?
Yes. The Reston satellite office at 12011 Sunset Hills Road handles vehicle registration renewal, title transfers, and duplicate titles. It does not handle driver's licenses. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
What if my driver's license expired more than a year ago?
You must renew in person at either the Fairfax City or Falls Church office. You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than one year. Bring your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. You will receive a temporary license when ready and your permanent license by mail within two weeks.
Do I need an appointment to visit the Fairfax DMV?
No. Both full-service offices operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You can check current wait times on the Virginia DMV website before you go, but you cannot reserve a specific time slot. Arriving early on a weekday morning typically means a shorter wait.
What if I move to a different county in Virginia?
You must update your address on your driver's license within 30 days of moving. You can do this online for free through the Virginia DMV website if you are only changing your address. If you move out of Fairfax County, you can still use either Fairfax office to update your address, or you can visit an office in your new county.
Can I transfer my out-of-state title at the Fairfax DMV?
Yes. Bring your out-of-state title, a bill of sale, proof of a Virginia safety inspection, proof of insurance, and proof of residency. The office will process the transfer and issue a Virginia title. If your out-of-state title is held by a lender, contact the lender to have them sign the title before you visit.