Ohio Address & Name Changes

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

Ohio law requires drivers to update both the address on the driver license and the address on every vehicle registration within 10 days of moving. Name changes after marriage, divorce, or court order have the same 10-day deadline once the supporting document is in hand. Both updates pass through the Ohio BMV — but the document requirements and the available channels differ.

Address change — the 10-day rule

Under ORC 4507.06 and ORC 4503.10, every Ohio licensed driver and registered vehicle owner must notify the BMV within 10 days of moving to a new address. The change applies to:

The Ohio driver license or state ID address.
Each registered vehicle's address (used for renewal notices and county tax records).
The address on file for any active suspension or court-ordered notice.

The address on the driver license card itself does not have to be reprinted unless the driver requests it — Ohio updates the BMV record electronically and mails a free address change sticker to apply to the back of the existing license. Drivers wanting a fresh card with the new address printed on the front pay the standard duplicate license fee.

Three ways to update an address

Online: The Ohio BMV's online address-change tool handles licenses, state IDs, and vehicle registrations in a single form. Free for the BMV record update; a fee applies if a printed card is requested.

By mail: Submit form BMV 1132 (Notice of Change of Address) by mail to the Ohio BMV in Columbus. Free for the record update.

In person: Visit any deputy registrar with proof of the new address and a current Ohio license. The deputy updates the record on the spot.

Acceptable proof of address

Drivers updating in person or upgrading to a federally compliant card need two proofs of Ohio residency from two different sources, each dated within the last 12 months:

Utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, cable).
Bank or credit card statement.
Pay stub showing the new address.
Lease or mortgage statement.
Voter registration or government correspondence.
Insurance bill or declaration page.
School enrollment letter (for under-25 driver still receiving mail at parent's address).

Online address changes do not require document upload — the BMV verifies through the post office and any prior records on file.

Name change — supporting documents

To change the legal name on an Ohio license or registration, the BMV requires the original or a certified copy of:

Marriage: certified marriage certificate.
Divorce: divorce decree showing the name change order.
Court-ordered name change: certified order from the probate court.
Adoption: certified adoption order.
Naturalization: updated U.S. naturalization certificate or passport.

Photocopies are not accepted; the BMV requires the original or a court-certified copy. The deputy registrar examines and returns the original after recording.

In-person process for name change

Name changes cannot be completed online — they require a deputy registrar visit. Bring:

Current Ohio driver license or state ID.
Original Social Security card showing the new name (Social Security Administration must be updated before the BMV).
Certified court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree.
Current proof of Ohio residency (utility bill or bank statement).
Fee for a duplicate license — about $26.

The order matters. Update the Social Security Administration first; the SSA links the new name to the existing SSN, and the Ohio BMV verifies through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database before issuing the new card.

Updating vehicle registration after a name change

The vehicle title and registration must reflect the new name as well. Take the new license, marriage certificate or court order, and current registration to the county clerk of courts (for the title) and a deputy registrar (for the registration). The clerk issues a new duplicate title with the corrected name; the deputy updates the registration record. There is a $15 title fee and a $5 registration update fee.

Insurance and address

Ohio insurance carriers rate by ZIP code, so a move can change the premium up or down. Notify the insurer of the new address before the BMV update, since the BMV's verification system will check coverage at the new address starting on the recorded change date. See Ohio car insurance for the typical impact of a move.

Voter registration and other agencies

Ohio's BMV transmits address changes to the Ohio Secretary of State for voter registration purposes through the National Voter Registration Act ("Motor Voter") interface. The change posts to the voter file in 2 to 4 weeks. Drivers should still verify at their local board of elections before the next election cycle. Other agencies — vehicle insurance, IRS, USPS, tolls — must be updated separately.