Whether you’re a new resident of the Evergreen State or just moving two streets over in your hometown, you’ll still have to submit a Washington change of address at your local Department of Licensing location. You can complete the process online or by mail if you're moving in-state.

Between the endless packing, expensive U-Haul rental, and the fact that there only ever seems to be one single roll of tape, moving can be a bit of a headache. When it’s all over, you probably won’t want to do anything other than fall down exhausted and catch up on some well-earned rest. Before you do, though, you must remember to do one last thing: change your address.

Losing

car insurance

coverage is probably the last way you’d want to commemorate your new home, so make sure you contact the Washington State Department of Licensing as soon as possible after your move. To help you out, we've created this guide taking you through the change of address process in Washington state.

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How to change your address on a Washington driver’s license

Spending an afternoon getting paperwork squared away is not the most exciting thing in the world, no matter how important it may be. Luckily, if you’re moving within the state, you should be able to complete the process online.

If you’re moving within Washington

Once you finish moving, you will have ten days to change the address on your driver’s license or ID card. You can update your address in one of three ways: online, by mail, or in-person.

The easiest way to get everything done is by

going online

. You will need to provide your current Washington driver’s license number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Next, you’ll have to decide if you want a new card with your updated information, which will cost $20. If you don’t want a new card, you can wait to renew your license or ID when it expires, but you won’t be able to use them as proof of your new address until then.

You also have the option of going in-person to a

vehicle licensing office

or sending a

Washington Address Change Request Form

to the mailing address below:

Driver Records, Washington Department of Licensing, P.O. Box 9030, Olympia, WA 98507

The address on your vehicle’s title will have to be updated, as well. To do so, you can choose from any of the following options:

Going

online

Using

License eXpress

Visiting a vehicle licensing office in-person

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If you’re moving to Washington from another state

For those of you moving to Washington from an outside state, changing your address will be a bit more complicated. After you finish moving, you are legally obliged to get a Washington driver’s license within 30 days. Be ready to make multiple trips—driver and vehicle licensing are done in separate locations.

You will have to go in person to the various licensing locations, but you are able to

pre-apply online

to get a good head start on the process. After that, you need to

make an appointment

to visit a licensing office and bring

proof of identity

(including your old license) and enough money to pay your

fees

Once you’re at the office, you will:

Provide your Social Security Number

Pay the relevant fees (card, cash, or check)

Choose whether or not to register as an organ donor

Take and pass any required tests (based on your age and driving history)

You can pay $89 for a six-year driver’s license or $80 for a five-year license. ID cards cost $54 for six years or $72 for eight years. You should receive your new card in the mail within 7-10 days.

In addition to your license and address, you will also have to register your vehicle within 30 days of establishing a new residence. You’ll have to go to a separate location for this, as drivers and vehicles are licensed in different offices. It’s probably best to call your nearest

vehicle licensing office

and ask what they need you to do.

Essentially, though, the process involves submitting (either by mail or in-person) your vehicle’s current

Certificate of Title

as well as a

Vehicle Title Application

. Registration costs vary, so check

here

for a full list of fees.

Note that you can get your new license plates right away if you go to a licensing office in-person, whereas you’ll have to wait around three weeks for them to come in the mail.

MORE:

How to switch car insurance companies when you move to a new state

Other steps for a Washington change of address

Aside from the relevant local government offices, you should also make sure to notify the post office (USPS) of your new address so your mail keeps getting properly delivered. Luckily, all you really have to do is

fill out this form

. Don’t dawdle and forget, though!

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How to notify your insurance company of your Washington change of address

Lastly, it’s extremely important for you to inform your insurance provider of your change of address to prevent losing coverage. Often, this is as easy as giving your agent a call, but there are more and more apps and online options these days, too.

It is very important that you keep your insurance provider in the know. Otherwise, you could easily lose coverage or have your policy fall through. The last thing you want is to get into an accident and find out you don’t have enough

liability insurance

for the state of Washington. This could easily lead to fines and suspension of driving privileges.

What’s the reason for all of this? Most insurance providers use your ZIP code to determine your rates by considering local driving trends and risk factors within the area. If you change your ZIP code without informing them, you could even be charged with fraud.

Key Takeaway Before you move, make sure to tell your insurance company where you’re headed to avoid astronomically raising your rates for the foreseeable future.

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The 8 places you need to notify when you’re moving

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How to find affordable car insurance in Washington

You told your insurance company that you’re moving, but now that you’ve arrived your policy is more expensive than before. What’s the deal? After any move, experts usually recommend that you shop around for a new

car insurance

policy to keep your payments low.

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