Individuals must present a photo ID when applying for a passport and a driver’s license is usually one of the acceptable forms of proof of identity. If the name on your driving permit is different from that you want to print on your passport, legal documentation of name change is required. What about the address? Does your passport address have to match your license? In this article, we will find out the answers.
Does My Passport Address Have to Match My License?
Not necessarily. It’s commonly seen that you move to another place after your license is issued and want to request a passport. In most cases, the specific address, like street name and house number, on both documents can be different. However, they must be in the same state. For example, you are not allowed to use a license with an address outside Alaska to apply for a passport in Alaska.
Even if you move to another place after your passport is issued and obtain a license with the new address, it is not necessary to update the address on the passport, but extra identity documentation is needed if you move to another state.
When Does My Passport Address Have to Match My Drivers License?
The authority would pay more attention to the authenticity of the passport to verify an individual’s identity and citizenship than the address. However, the address on a passport should match that on a driver’s license under the following conditions.
- Rent a Car in a Foreign Country
Car rental service providers usually ask an alien for a passport and driver’s license at the same time. The personal information, including address, must be the same, otherwise, they might request extra documents or even refuse to rent you a car due to suspicion of your identity.
- Apply for or Renew Your Passport
As proof of identity, your driver’s license must be issued by the same state as your passport. Otherwise, the authority will require extra identity documents like a birth certificate.
- Present Multiple Identity Documents
For the sake of security, individuals usually need to go through multiple identity verifications when applying for an official document, creating a bank account, conducting financial transactions, etc. Consistent detailed information on different identity documents makes you more reliable and simplifies background checks.
How to Update Your Passport Address 2024
Updating your passport address is an effective way to ensure the address on your passport and driver’s license is uniform. How to change the address depends on whether you are waiting for the arrival of a new passport or you already have it.
Passport In Progress
In the United States, if you move to a new place while your passport application (either initial application or renewal) is being processed and want to change the mailing address, contact the US Department of State by calling 1-877-487-2778 (or 1-888-874-7793 for the hearing-impaired) or by sending an email to NPIC@state.gov. When applying from abroad, contact the local Embassy or Consulate. The automatic response service works 24/7 while staff service is available between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (EST) except on weekends and public holidays.
Passport in Possession
In Canada and the United States, citizens don’t need to inform the passport office of any change of residence. Instead, you can change it on the address page by yourself of your current passport. If you already have the booklet in hand, turn to Page 4, cross out the old address, and write down a new one
However, the address can only be updated by obtaining a new passport in some countries, such as India. The good news is that it can be done online through the steps below.
- Visit the Passport Seva website.
- Create an account through the “New User Registration” button or log in through the “Existing User Login” button.
- Click on “Services” > “Apply for Fresh Passport/ Reissue of Passport”.
- Select a nearby RPO (Regional Passport Office).
- Fill out the application form online. Make sure all information is correct and complete.
- Pay the application fees online and schedule an appointment.
- Receive an SMS containing appointment information and required documents.
- Attend the appointment at the selected Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) to finalize the application.
How to Update Your Driver’s License Address 2024
It is necessary to inform the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) or an equivalent authority after moving to a new place. The requirements might vary from state to state. Let’s see how to update the address on the driver’s license in the US.
Decide When to Update Address
When you should update the address depends on where you move to. Some require immediate updating while some provide grace periods. Here is a list of how long you should update the address on your driver’s license in your new state.
| State | Moving within the state | Moving to this state | State | Moving within the state | Moving to this state |
| Alabama | 30 days | 30 days | Nebraska | 60 days | 60 days |
| Alaska | Immediately | 90 days | Nevada | 30 days | 30 days |
| Arizona | 10 days | Immediately | New Hampshire | 30 days | 60 days |
| Arkansas | 10 days | 30 days | New Jersey | 14 days | 60 days |
| California | 10 days | 10 days | New Mexico | 10 days | 60 days |
| Colorado | 30 days | 30 days | New York | 10 days | 30 days |
| Connecticut | 2 days | 90 days | North Carolina | 60 days | 60 days |
| Delaware | 30 days | 60 days | North Dakota | 10 days | 60 days |
| Florida | 30 days | 30 days | Ohio | 10 days | 30 days |
| Georgia | 60 days | 30 days | Oklahoma | 10 days | 30 days |
| Hawaii | 30 days | 30 days | Oregon | 30 days | 30 days |
| Idaho | 30 days | 90 days | Pennsylvania | 15 days | 60 days |
| Illinois | 10 days | 90 days | Rhode Island | 10 days | 60 days |
| Indiana | 30 days | 90 days | South Carolina | 10 days | 90 days |
| Iowa | 30 days | 60 days | South Dakota | No limit | 90 days |
| Kansas | 10 days | 90 days | Tennessee | 10 days | 30 days |
| Kentucky | 10 days | 30 days | Texas | 30 days | 90 days |
| Louisiana | 10 days | 30 days | Utah | 10 days | Immediately |
| Maine | 10 days | 30 days | Vermont | 30 days | 60 days |
| Maryland | 30 days | 60 days | Virginia | 30 days | 60 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | 60 days | Washington | 10 days | 30 days |
| Michigan | Immediately | Immediately | Washington, D.C. | 60 days | 60 days |
| Minnesota | 30 days | 60 days | West Virginia | 20 days | 30 days |
| Mississippi | 30 days | 60 days | Wisconsin | 10 days | 60 days |
| Missouri | Immediately | 30 days | Wyoming | 10 days | Varies |
| Montana | 10 days | 60 days |
Prepare Supporting Documents
After learning about when and where to update your driver’s license, it’s time to prepare the required documents. The following are the common requirements around the country.
- Most Recent Driver’s License
The existing license issued by the previous state of residence should be valid, otherwise, you need to get a new license by taking a driving test again in the new state.
- Extra Proof of Identity
It could be a valid passport, NEXUS card, social security card, or other state-approved photo ID except for the driver’s license.
- Proof of the New Address
It could be a utility bill, cable bill, lease agreement, property ownership certificate, etc.
Visit the Nearby DMV Office
In the states that require in-person renewal, you need to submit documents, have a vision test, or pay application fees at the counter. It is suggested to arrive earlier to avoid waiting in a long line.
FAQ
📌Does your passport address have to match your current address?
Not necessarily, but the mailing address should match where you currently live when you are waiting for a new passport to be delivered.
📌Does my name have to match my passport?
It depends. When traveling abroad, it is suggested to have the same name on your passport and other traveling documents, such as air tickets, or driver’s license. Otherwise, you are supposed to present legal documentation of the name change.
Summary
When moving to a new place, it is required to update the address on your driver’s license in time by contacting the local DMV offices (or similar), but it is not a must for the passport. Therefore, the passport address can be different from the license address unless you are renting a car abroad, applying for a passport from another state, or showing these two documents at the same time.