How to Change Your Personal Information at a District Of Columbia DMV

Changing your personal information at a District of Columbia DMV is one of the quickest and easiest ways to update your D.C. driving records. Given you have personal documents ready and a bit of free time, you shouldn’t run into any snags when updating your name or changing your address.

Below, you’ll learn the steps, requirements, and fees for doing both these actions.

How to Update Your Name with the Washington, D.C. DMV

You should update your name with the Social Security Administration (find a local SSA office) before changing it at the DMV. Changing your name at the SSA will reflect on many other important documents, making the ordeal easy to deal with.

You will:

  1. File an Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5)
  2. Show proof of:
    1. Name change
    2. S. presence
    3. Identification
  3. Send or deliver the documents

The identification documents must be originals or certified copies. Bring these documents and form to your local Social Security office. Or, mail them.

You should receive your new social security card in about 2 weeks. With this in hand, you should visit your local D.C. DMV or third-party office within as soon as you can to update your information.

To change your name at a District of Columbia DMV you will:

  1. Provide your driver’s license or ID card
  2. Show proof of name change*:
    1. Marriage cert or license
    2. Divorce Decree
    3. Court order
    4. Citizenship/naturalization cert
  3. Pay the fees:
    1. License: $18 (4-years) or $34 (8-years)
    2. Title/Registration: Varies

Those with a limited purpose license or ID will need to provide a few extra documents proving their identification, social security number, and D.C. residency.

The DMV will confirm your name change by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you chose to do so. Else, they’ll process your information and send your new information. The changes only reflect on your record – you will need to request duplicates if you need physical proofs.

Suggestion: You should use this time to update your vehicle’s title and registration.

Changing your name at the DMV office does not update your vehicle records. You should update your title and registration if you want to keep these items up-to-date to avoid issues. See the duplicate/replacement title process to know what’s required when submitting the same forms.

How to Update Your Address with the Washington, D.C. DMV

You should update our address with the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles when it changes. This makes things easier if you ever need to verify your driver and vehicle-related information.

The DC driver information update process is available in person, online, or by mail.

Note: The process is generally the same but there are different document requirements if you’re changing information on a normal or REAL-ID.

Updating your address does not reflect on your driver’s license, title, and registration. You’ll need to complete this update by replacing your license with the D.C. DMV. This process can be done while you’re at the DMV if you choose to update your address in person.

To change your address at a District of Columbia DMV you will:

  1. Decide how you’ll update the information (#1 is the most common):
    1. Option #1: In-person at a DMV (see our DMV offices directory)
    2. Option #2: By visiting the C. address page (available for REAL-ID)
    3. Option #3: Mailing the documents (available for REAL-ID)
  2. Submit your information:
    1. Proof of identification
    2. Proof of Social Security number
    3. Proof of lawful presence
    4. Proof of D.C. residency & new address
  3. Pay the $20 fee

You can mail a change of address form to:

DC DMV

Attn: Change of Address

P.O. Box 90120

Washington, D.C. 20090

Or, check with your local DMV for further instructions.

The changes only reflect on your record – you will need to request duplicates if you need physical proofs such as on your ID or title/registration.

Don’t forget: Keep your auto insurance up-to-date.

You’ll want to update your District of Columbia auto insurance as soon as you can.

The mismatched information may cause problems if you were to be pulled over. Or, needed to file an insurance claim due to accidents.

Visit your insurance provider’s website to update your policy’s information.