Washington Address and Name Change

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

Washington drivers have 10 days from a move to update the address on their driver license, ID card, and vehicle registration. Marriage, divorce, and court-ordered name changes don't carry a strict statutory deadline — but a mismatch between the name on your license and the name on your insurance policy can complicate a claim, so most drivers update promptly. Address changes can usually be done online; name changes require a DOL driver licensing office visit.

Address change online

The fastest way to update an address on a Washington driver license, ID card, vehicle registration, and title is through License eXpress:

Sign in with your existing License eXpress account or create one with your driver license number.
Choose "Change of Address."
Enter the new Washington address as it appears on your lease, mortgage, or utility bill.
Confirm whether you want a replacement license card mailed (a $20 charge) or just a record update (no charge).

The change posts to your record immediately. Updated registration cards are mailed within 7-10 business days. Voter registration is not automatically updated by DOL; the Secretary of State's voter system requires a separate update at vote.wa.gov.

Address change in person or by mail

Drivers who prefer paper can submit a change of address at any DOL driver licensing office, vehicle licensing subagent (for registration only), or by mailing a signed change-of-address request to the DOL central address. The fee is the same — free for a record update, $20 for a replacement card. Bring or include proof of the new Washington residency (a utility bill, lease, or other accepted document) if you want the new address printed on a replacement card.

Move out of Washington

If you've moved out of state, do not file a Washington address change. Surrender the Washington license at your new state's licensing agency when you obtain that state's license; the new agency electronically notifies Washington. For Washington-registered vehicles, file a Report of Sale if the vehicle was sold; otherwise the vehicle's registration remains active until cancellation. For active-duty military members claiming Washington as home of record while stationed elsewhere, the DOL maintains the Washington license at the home-of-record address; a temporary stationed-elsewhere address can be added to the record without changing the home-of-record.

Name change after marriage

To update a Washington license after a marriage, visit any DOL driver licensing office with:

Your current Washington license.
A certified copy of the marriage certificate (informal commemorative certificates are not accepted).
An updated Social Security card or a federal Social Security record showing the new name. Washington cannot issue a new license name until the SSA has updated records.
A completed Driver License Application (DL-3) with the new name.

The office takes a new photo and signature, prints a temporary credential valid for 45 days, and mails the permanent card. The fee is $20 for a duplicate or $72 if a renewal is also being processed at the same visit. EDL holders need to bring the same documents plus the EDL surcharge ($42) if renewing the EDL during the name change.

Name change after divorce

Divorce decrees in Washington commonly include a restoration of the former name in the final order. Bring the certified divorce decree showing the restored name plus the updated Social Security card. The DOL cannot use the divorce decree alone — the name must already be updated with the SSA before the new license is issued.

Court-ordered name change

For any other name change — gender marker update, family-court order, witness protection, etc. — Washington accepts a certified court order from the Washington Superior Court or any other state's equivalent. The same checklist applies: the SSA must already have updated records before the DOL can produce a new license.

Updating the title

A Washington title showing a former name should be updated when convenient — there is no statutory deadline — but mismatched names can complicate a future sale or insurance claim. A title name change uses the standard TD-420-001 with proof of name change attached. The title fee is $15, plus $4.50 filing fee. No use tax applies because no transfer of ownership is occurring.

Insurance and other records

After a name or address change at the DOL, notify your insurance carrier so the policy reflects the new information. Washington's electronic insurance verification system pulls policy data by VIN, but a name mismatch on the policy can produce a coverage gap or a claim denial. If you carry an SR-22 filing, the carrier must amend the certificate to match. For the broader rules around the DOL's deadlines, see the Washington car registration page.