How to Change Your Address at the DMV in West Virginia

Keeping your address current with the DMV is important any time you move within West Virginia. It helps keep your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and state records accurate so you don’t miss important notices.

This guide explains how a West Virginia DMV change of address works, what you’ll need, and how to handle special situations.

West Virginia DMV: Who Handles What

In West Virginia, the motor vehicle agency is called the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It is part of the West Virginia Department of Transportation.

In West Virginia, this is typically handled by one statewide DMV agency, which oversees:

  • Driver’s licenses and ID cards
  • Vehicle titles and registrations
  • Many address changes and record updates

That means you generally do not have separate offices for licensing vs. registration (like some other states). However:

  • Driver’s license/ID address updates and
  • Vehicle registration/title address updates

may be processed through different online services or forms, or may require you to select the correct service type when you visit a West Virginia DMV office.

Depending on your county in West Virginia, you may have access to:

  • Full-service DMV regional offices
  • Smaller satellite offices or mobile units (with more limited services)

If you’re not sure which location can handle your specific address change, search for the “West Virginia DMV” office locations on the official state website and check the services list for your chosen office.

Why Updating Your Address Matters in West Virginia

Changing your address with the DMV is about more than just having the right street printed on your license.

In West Virginia, many drivers find that keeping their address current helps with:

  • Receiving renewal notices
    • Driver’s license renewals
    • Vehicle registration renewals
  • Getting important legal notices
    • Possible suspension or reinstatement letters
    • Insurance compliance notices
  • Emergency contact and record accuracy
    • Law enforcement and courts may rely on DMV records
  • Proving West Virginia residency
    • For in-state tuition, property tax matters, or certain benefits, your DMV records can be used as supporting proof of residency

An outdated address can cause problems such as:

  • Missing a renewal notice and driving with an expired registration or license
  • Delays in receiving your new license card or registration card
  • Confusion if you are stopped by law enforcement and your address does not match other documents you carry

In WV, DMV address changes typically do not automatically update your address everywhere else (such as with the U.S. Postal Service, voter registration, tax agencies, or your insurance). You usually need to update those separately.

What You’ll Need to Change Your Address

The exact requirements can vary depending on how you update (online, by mail, or in person), and whether you’re changing your address for:

  • Driver’s license/ID
  • Vehicle registration and title
  • Both

In West Virginia, this is typically handled by asking for basic identifying and residency information. Common items you may need include:

Basic Information

  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Driver’s license or ID number (for license/ID address updates)
  • Vehicle information (for registration/title changes), such as:
    • License plate number
    • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
    • Year, make, and model of the vehicle

Old and New Address Details

You will usually need to provide:

  • Previous address on file with the West Virginia DMV
  • New physical residential address in West Virginia
  • Mailing address, if different
    • In rural parts of West Virginia, many residents use a PO box or rural route as a mailing address. You may still be asked for a physical location address for licensing and vehicle records, even if that’s not where you receive mail.

Proof of Identity or Residence (When Required)

For some types of address changes, especially in-person or when a new card is issued, you may be asked to provide:

  • Proof of identity, such as:
    • Current West Virginia driver’s license or ID
    • Other approved identity documents (passport, birth certificate, etc., as accepted by the DMV)
  • Proof of West Virginia residency, such as:
    • Utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement with your name and new address
    • Bank statement or official mail from a government agency addressed to you

Requirements can change, so many drivers in West Virginia find it helpful to check the official DMV site for the most up-to-date list of acceptable documents before going to an office.

Why Address Change Requests Get Rejected

Address change requests in West Virginia can be delayed or rejected if:

  • The name, license number, or VIN doesn’t match DMV records
  • You provide an incomplete or invalid address (for example, missing apartment number or using only a PO box when a physical address is required)
  • Required documents are missing, expired, or unreadable
  • You’re attempting to update to an address outside West Virginia, but using an in-state address change process meant for current residents
  • There is an outstanding hold, suspension, or other issue on your driver’s license or registration that blocks updates

Step-by-Step Options for a West Virginia DMV Change of Address

In West Virginia, DMV address changes may be possible online, in person, or by mail, depending on your specific situation and the type of record you’re updating.

Not all methods are available for every person, and eligibility can change. It’s wise to confirm current options by searching the official West Virginia DMV site for “DMV change of address West Virginia” or “online services.”

1. Online Address Change (If Eligible)

Online may be the fastest way to complete a West Virginia DMV change of address if your situation qualifies.

In West Virginia, this is typically handled by the DMV’s online services portal. From there, you may be able to:

  • Update your address on your driver’s license/ID
  • Update the address on your vehicle registration
  • Log in using identifying information such as:
    • Driver’s license or ID number
    • Date of birth
    • Partial Social Security number or other personal details, as requested

Typical online steps might include:

  1. Go to the official West Virginia DMV website
    • Look for a section labeled “Online Services” or “Address Change.”
  2. Select the correct service
    • Choose whether you are updating your driver’s license/ID or vehicle registration (or both, if allowed).
  3. Enter your personal and address information
    • Confirm your identity and input your new residential and mailing addresses.
  4. Review and submit
    • Double-check spellings, apartment numbers, and ZIP code.
  5. Pay any applicable fee, if a new card or updated registration is being issued
  6. Save or print your confirmation
    • This can be useful if there is a delay or you need to show that you started the process.

If you cannot find a specific West Virginia DMV change of address form online, it may be because the DMV is using a general online portal rather than a separate PDF form. In that case, follow the step-by-step directions provided on the portal screen.

Online updates may not be available if:

  • Your license is suspended, expired, or otherwise restricted
  • You are changing more than your address (for example, a name change plus address change at the same time)
  • Your new address is outside WV, and you are actually becoming a resident of another state

2. In-Person Address Change

Some people in West Virginia may need or prefer to handle their address change in person, especially if:

  • You’re updating your address and requesting a new physical license or ID card
  • You don’t meet the requirements for an online change
  • You’re also changing your name or updating other personal information
  • You have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or other special status

In West Virginia, this is typically handled at a DMV regional office that offers licensing and registration services.

Basic in-person steps:

  1. Find a West Virginia DMV office
    • Visit the official state DMV website and use the office locator to find an office near you.
    • Check hours and whether appointments are required or recommended.
  2. Gather documents
    • Your current West Virginia driver’s license or ID
    • Any required proofs of residency and identity, especially if you need a new card printed
    • Relevant vehicle information if you’re also updating your registration or title
  3. Visit the office and request an address change
    • Tell the DMV staff whether you’re updating your license, registration, title, or all of the above.
  4. Complete any required forms
    • Staff may provide you with a short form or electronic tablet to enter your new address information.
  5. Pay any applicable fee, if a new license/ID card or registration document is issued
  6. Receive temporary paperwork, if applicable
    • In some cases you might walk out with a temporary document while your official card is mailed later.

Depending on your county in West Virginia, wait times may vary significantly between offices. Some residents in more rural areas find it helpful to visit a less busy office if they are able to travel a bit farther.

3. Mail-In Address Change (If Available)

West Virginia has, at times, allowed certain updates to be requested by mail, especially for simple changes where no photo or in-person verification is needed. Availability can change, and not all types of address changes can be done by mail.

If mail is an option, the process usually involves:

  1. Find the correct mailing instructions
    • Go to the official West Virginia DMV site and search for “change of address” or “address change form.”
    • Look for specific directions for mailing your request.
  2. Complete the appropriate form
    • If there is a West Virginia DMV change of address form (PDF or similar), print it and fill it out clearly in ink.
  3. Include required documentation, if any
    • This might include a photocopy of your driver’s license or ID and supporting proofs if required.
  4. Mail to the official DMV mailing address
    • Use the address listed on the official form or instructions.
    • Consider using a trackable mail service if you want confirmation of delivery.

Because requirements for mailed address changes can shift, many drivers in West Virginia find it safer to confirm mail-in eligibility online or by contacting the DMV directly before sending documents.

Do License and Registration Update Together?

In West Virginia, driver’s license/ID records and vehicle records are kept within the same DMV system, but they are not always updated automatically across all record types.

That means:

  • Updating your address for your driver’s license/ID does not always update your vehicle registration and title.
  • Updating your vehicle registration address may not automatically update your license/ID address.

In West Virginia, this is typically handled by asking you which record(s) you want to update when you use an online service or visit an office. To avoid problems, be clear that you want:

  • Your license/ID address updated, and
  • Your vehicle registration/title address updated, if both need changes.

This is especially important if you have multiple vehicles registered in WV under your name.

After You Submit Your Address Change

Once you complete your West Virginia DMV change of address, a few things generally happen next.

Confirmation

If you update online, you may receive:

  • An on-screen confirmation message
  • A confirmation email, if the system asks for and accepts an email address

If you update in person, you may receive:

  • A printed receipt or temporary document showing that your address has been updated
  • A temporary driver’s license document, if a new card is being mailed

New License/ID Card or Registration

Depending on how the West Virginia DMV handles address updates at the time of your request:

  • A new driver’s license/ID card may be mailed to your updated address
  • A new vehicle registration card (and sometimes a title, depending on the change) may also be mailed

Not every address change results in a new physical card; in some cases, the record is updated in the system, and your card will be updated at your next renewal. Check the instructions carefully to understand what will happen in your specific case.

Timing

Processing time can vary. To stay on the safe side:

  • Keep confirmation paperwork or emails with you until your new document arrives.
  • If a reasonable period passes and you have not received anything, you can contact the West Virginia DMV or check your records via the online portal, if available.

In West Virginia, many drivers find that mail delivery to rural areas can add extra days compared to city addresses, so factor that in if you live on a rural route or use a PO box.

Special Situations for West Virginia Address Changes

Some groups have extra considerations when changing their address with the WV DMV.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Holders

If you hold a CDL in West Virginia, address changes can be more regulated due to federal and state safety requirements.

In West Virginia, this is typically handled by:

  • Requiring in-person updates for many CDL changes
  • Possibly needing to present extra identity and residency documentation
  • Ensuring the updated address appears on your CDL and matches your DOT medical and employer records, as needed

CDL drivers should check CDL-specific instructions on the official West Virginia DMV site or contact the DMV before attempting an online or mail change.

Active-Duty Military and Families

If you are an active-duty service member stationed in or out of West Virginia, or a dependent, you may have special options.

For example:

  • You might retain a West Virginia license even if temporarily living in another state due to military orders.
  • Your “home of record” and your physical station address may differ.

In West Virginia, many military members find it helpful to:

  • Confirm whether they should update their address to their current duty station or keep a West Virginia residence address on file, based on military and DMV rules.
  • Ask specifically about any mail-in or remote options if they cannot visit a West Virginia office in person.

College Students

College students in West Virginia often move between:

  • A permanent home address (often in another WV county or another state)
  • A temporary school-year address near campus

If you are a student and you consider your West Virginia school address your primary residence, you may need to:

  • Update your driver’s license/ID address to your in-state local address
  • Ensure your vehicle registration address lines up with where the vehicle is usually kept

Depending on your county in West Virginia, local law enforcement and parking authorities may also look at the address on your registration for residential permits and parking rules, so having a correct address can help avoid confusion.

New Residents to West Virginia

If you recently moved to West Virginia from another state, you generally do not complete a simple “change of address” with the WV DMV. Instead, you usually need to:

  • Apply for a West Virginia driver’s license (surrendering your out-of-state license in most cases)
  • Title and register your vehicle in West Virginia if you have taken up residence in the state

Search the official DMV site for “new resident West Virginia driver’s license” or similar phrases to follow the correct process.

PO Boxes and Rural Routes

Many people in WV, especially in the mountains and more remote areas, rely primarily on:

  • PO boxes
  • Rural route addresses

West Virginia DMV systems generally require a physical address as your residence address for licensing and vehicle records, even if:

  • You only receive mail at a PO box
  • Emergency responders can only access your home via a named rural route

You can typically:

  • Provide your physical residence address as your main address on DMV records, and
  • List your PO box or rural route as a mailing address for actual mail delivery.

If your residence does not have a traditional street address (common in some parts of West Virginia), ask the DMV how they want you to describe your physical location—sometimes directions, 911 address information, or other details are used.

Changing Your Name and Address Together

If you have both:

  • A name change (for example, after marriage or court order), and
  • A new address

West Virginia generally expects you to:

  • Handle name changes in person, with original or certified legal documents (such as a marriage certificate or court order)
  • Then update your address at the same time, or as directed

In West Virginia, this is typically handled at a DMV regional office rather than online, because name changes usually require document verification and possibly a new photo. Check the official DMV guidance on name changes before visiting, to be sure you bring the right documents.

Troubleshooting: If Your Address Change Doesn’t Go Through

Sometimes things don’t go smoothly on the first try. Here are common issues West Virginia drivers run into, and practical ways to address them.

Online Address Change Rejected

If your online DMV change of address West Virginia request is rejected:

  • Check for typos in your license number, date of birth, or Social Security digits.
  • Confirm that your name matches exactly what is on your current DMV records (including middle names or suffixes).
  • Make sure you are entering a West Virginia address if the system only allows in-state addresses for resident records.
  • See if there are any notes suggesting that you must visit an office in person, especially for CDL, name change, or other special statuses.

If problems continue, consider:

  • Taking screenshots of the error message (if possible) and
  • Calling or visiting a West Virginia DMV office for help

Submitted, but Address Not Updated

If you submitted your address change (online, by mail, or in person) but your records still show your old address when you:

  • Log into an online portal
  • Receive mail at the wrong address
  • Look at a new card that came with old information

You can:

  1. Check your confirmation
    • Ensure the confirmation shows the new address correctly.
  2. Allow reasonable processing and mail time
    • Especially if you live in a rural area in WV, mail can take longer.
  3. Contact the DMV
    • Have your driver’s license number and vehicle plate numbers ready.
    • Ask whether your records show the new address in the system, even if your card or registration has not yet been reissued.

In West Virginia, this is typically handled by DMV staff updating your record manually if there was an error, and explaining whether a new card will be sent.

Request Form or Mail-In Change Rejected

If you tried to use a West Virginia DMV change of address form by mail and it was rejected or returned:

  • Confirm that you used the exact mailing address and instructions shown on the official form.
  • Make sure all required fields were completed and that your handwriting is clear.
  • Check whether the form requires signatures, photocopies of ID, or proof of residency that you may have missed.
  • Confirm that mail-in changes are still an option for your type of change; sometimes requirements change and certain transactions move to online-only or in-person-only.

License Updated but Registration Didn’t (or Vice Versa)

It is possible in West Virginia to successfully update one record but not the other, if:

  • You completed only a license/ID address change and not a vehicle registration change, or
  • You updated your vehicle registration during renewal, but not your license/ID

To fix this:

  1. Confirm which record is incorrect:
    • Is the address wrong on your driver’s license/ID card?
    • Is it wrong on your registration card, insurance, or title?
  2. Use the appropriate method:
    • Online, if available, for the specific record type
    • Or visit a DMV office and clearly request that both records be updated together

In West Virginia, many drivers find it easiest to bring their current license and registration card to an office and ask staff to check that everything in the system shows the correct address.

Moved Out of West Virginia

If you have moved permanently out of West Virginia:

  • You typically need to get a driver’s license in your new state of residence and
  • Register your vehicles in that new state, following its rules

You generally do not need to file a formal “change of address” within West Virginia if you are no longer a resident and are transferring everything to another state. However:

  • Make sure your West Virginia registration is canceled or expires according to WV rules, to avoid confusion about taxes or insurance requirements.
  • Some people choose to notify the West Virginia DMV that the vehicle has been moved and registered elsewhere, especially if they receive ongoing mail from WV.

Check your new state’s DMV or licensing agency for their new-resident process, and search the official West Virginia DMV site for guidance on out-of-state moves or registration cancellation if you have questions.

Finding Official West Virginia DMV Information Safely

To avoid outdated or incorrect instructions, use only official state sources. A reliable starting point is the official West Virginia DMV website:

  • West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles main site: https://transportation.wv.gov/dmv (official state domain)

From there, you can:

  • Search for “change of address”
  • Access online services
  • Find DMV regional office locations and hours

If at any point you’re unsure, it’s reasonable to call or visit a West Virginia DMV office and ask exactly what they require for your situation.

Keeping your address current with the West Virginia DMV helps you stay in good standing, receive important notices, and avoid avoidable headaches down the road. Once your address is updated, make a quick checklist of other places to update—postal service, voter registration, insurance, and any other agencies that rely on your correct West Virginia address.