Connecticut Address & Name Change

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

Connecticut law requires drivers to notify the CT DMV of an address change within 48 hours of moving and a name change within 30 days of the legal change. Both updates can usually be completed online for the address change and at a DMV branch for a name change. Keeping the address current matters more in Connecticut than in most states because of the town vehicle property-tax assessment system.

Changing your address

The Connecticut DMV's online address change tool updates the license, the vehicle registration, and the title address simultaneously. To use it, you'll need:

Your Connecticut driver's license number.
Your date of birth and last 4 of Social Security number for verification.
Your new physical address (no PO boxes — a real street address is required).
A valid email address to receive confirmation.

The online tool prints an updated paper notice that you can keep with your existing license; the actual plastic license card is not reissued for an address change. Connecticut treats the older license as still valid because the address on the magnetic stripe doesn't have legal weight — the DMV's database is the source of truth.

Why the address matters for property tax

Connecticut towns assess vehicle property tax based on the registrant's address as of October 1 each year. Moving to a town with a higher mill rate after October 1 doesn't change that year's tax bill, but the move affects the next year's assessment. Failing to update the address can result in:

Tax bills sent to the old address (which often go unpaid because the registrant doesn't see them).
Registration renewal blocks because the system flags an unpaid bill — see CT renewal.
Eventual referral to a tax-collection agency with added fees.

Changing your name

Connecticut name changes — typically after marriage, divorce, or court order — require an in-person visit to a full DMV branch. Bring:

Your current Connecticut driver's license.
Original or certified copy of the legal document supporting the name change:
- Marriage certificate (for marriage-related changes).
- Divorce decree (for restoration of a former name).
- Adoption decree (rare adult cases).
- Court order specifying the legal name change.
An updated Social Security card showing the new name (apply at SSA before visiting the DMV).
A completed form H-69 Driver's License Application reflecting the new name.
Payment for a new license card ($30 duplicate fee).

The Social Security order

The CT DMV verifies the legal name through the Social Security Administration's database. An applicant who hasn't yet updated their Social Security record will be turned away — the SSA update has to happen first. The SSA processes name changes within 7-10 business days, after which the CT DMV can issue a license in the new name.

Updating registration and title

Vehicle registration and title also need to reflect the legal name. Connecticut updates the registration automatically when the license is updated, but the certificate of title requires a separate transaction. To update the title:

Submit a completed form H-13B with the updated name.
Provide the original or certified copy of the supporting legal document.
Pay the $25 title amendment fee.

The updated title is mailed to the registered owner's address within 4-8 weeks. See CT title transfer for the related process.

Insurance and other downstream updates

After updating the CT DMV, also update:

Your auto insurance carrier with both the new address and any name change.
Vehicle registration plate transfers (if you've also moved between Connecticut towns and want a new plate matching the new town).
Voter registration through the Connecticut Secretary of State's office (linked to the DMV update for most drivers).
Any active driving-record subscriptions, especially for commercial drivers.

Out-of-state moves

If you've moved out of Connecticut entirely, you don't update the CT license — instead, you surrender it when applying for the license in your new state. Connecticut closes the file when the new state confirms issuance. You should still cancel Connecticut registration on any vehicle you've titled in the new state to avoid lingering tax bills. Pull a final CT driving record for your transfer documentation.