Changing Your Address

Change is part of life―whether it's where you live, what you do for a living, or what kind of car you drive.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) really cares about where you live. In fact, if you move, you need to notify the state of your address change within 10 days. It only takes a few minutes, and letting the DOT know where to send license and registration info will, in the long run, make renewing each a lot easier down the road.

You can always go in person to the nearest DMV service center to enter your change of address; however, Wisconsin offers even easier ways by phone, mail, or even e-mail if you already have a valid state-issued ID or driver's license.

• By Phone: Call (608) 266-2353. Make sure you have you driver's license number or the number from your state-issued ID card.

• By e-mail: If you prefer, e-mail your new address to driverrecords.dmv@dot.state.wi.us. Make sure to include your driver's license number and a brief explanation for your e-mail. Note that while the state will accept e-mailed address changes, they advise against it for privacy reasons. So, be aware.

• By mail: Of course, you can always fall back on the tried and true and send in your address changes by snail mail, too. Again, include a brief note and your driver license number and mail to:

• Department of Transportation

• Division of Motor Vehicles

• PO Box 7917

• Madison, WI 53707-7917

Don't keep checking your mailbox, because you won't get a new license in the mail. If you do want your new address reflected on your driver's license, you'll need to visit a DMV service center; they'll issue you a duplicate.

It's a little more labor intensive if you hold a commercial driver license; you'll actually have to show in person, with your Social Security card, and pay a $4 fee for a replacement license.

Motor Vehicle Registration Address Change

The DOT does not have capabilities at this time to take address changes from the public, but does advise that you change your address with the Postal Service. Six times a year, the DOT obtains address updates from the Postal Service database and will make the address updates for motor vehicle registrations at that time.