change of address on your driver’s license at your local BMV office. For in-state moves, you’ll also have the option to change your address online or by mail.

Moving is always a stressful affair, and sometimes it’s the little things that slip through the cracks—that old coffee pot you never had time to pack, the tip for the moving company, or a change of clothes to wear on the big day. Once you’re officially moved in, you might be tempted to lie down and rest for a week.

But before you do, you’ll need to make your change of address official. In Ohio, that means a trip to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), plus a call to your insurance company to avoid a serious lapse in coverage.

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How to change your address on an Ohio driver’s license

Fortunately, like many of life’s least exciting tasks, an Ohio change of address is easier than ever in the age of online services. As long as you’re moving within the state, you should be able to complete the BMV change of address process from the comfort of your couch.

If you’re moving within Ohio

Whether you’re u-hauling from

Toledo

Cincinnati

or just moving two blocks over in

Cleveland

, you’ll need to update your address with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Luckily, the process is pretty quick and easy. You’ve got three options:

Fill out the

online change of address form

to update your license and registration

Mail a completed

Form BMV 5756

to the Ohio Department of Public Safety (the address is included on the form)

Head to

a local BMV office

to complete your form in person

No matter which way you choose to fill out your form, you’ll need to provide proof of Ohio residency, proof of address, and your existing Ohio driver’s license as identification. The fee to update your Ohio driver’s license is $27.25.

MORE:

Does my car insurance cover me if I move to a new city?

If you’re moving to Ohio from another state

When it comes to out-of-state moves, the Ohio change of address process gets a little more complicated. That’s because you’ll have to apply for an Ohio driver’s license, which involves several steps and can only be completed in person.

First, gather the documents, such as

proof of address and a Social Security card

, that the BMV requires for license applications. At a minimum, you should have documents that prove the following five elements:

Your full legal name

Your date of birth

Your legal presence in the United States

Your Social Security number

Your Ohio street address

The exact combination of documents you use can vary, but you must meet those five requirements. A passport or birth certificate satisfies the first three, while a Social Security card, W-2 form, or Medicare card can supply the fourth. To prove your new Ohio street address, you can use anything from a pay stub to a credit card statement, utility bill, or concealed weapons permit.

Once your documents are assembled, go to the

nearest BMV office

to apply for your license. You’ll need to pay the

driver’s license fee

, which starts at $24.50 for drivers 21 years of age and older.

Make sure to update your vehicle’s registration at

a BMV Deputy Registrar License Agency

. You’ll have 30 days from the time of your residency in Ohio to make the change of address official.

MORE:

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

Other steps for an Ohio change of address

In addition to changing your address on your driver’s license, don’t forget to update your mailing address with the United States Postal Service (USPS)! Filling out the

change of address form

ensures that you won’t miss any important mail or packages, and you’ll get a chance to update your voter registration and snag up to $750 in coupons.

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

Be sure to update your insurance company on your new address to avoid a lapse in coverage.

In most cases, changing your address on your insurance policy is as simple as calling your agent. Many companies also have an app or online portal where you can enter important updates like address changes. Check the terms of your policy, and when in doubt, call!

Why notifying your insurance company of a change of address is so important

The last thing you want after a big move is to get pulled over for speeding—and find that you don’t have the insurance you thought you did. Ohio requires all drivers to carry

minimum amounts of liability insurance

, and you may also have coverage requirements from a lienholder. But if you don’t notify your insurance company, and your policy lapses, you’re leaving yourself open for fines and even a license or registration suspension.

Why could failure to change your address matter so much? Most insurance companies use your address to set your rate by evaluating the levels of risk associated with specific ZIP codes. If your ZIP code changes and you don’t let the insurance company know, that could be considered fraud.

In other words, not updating your address with your insurance company is an easy way to lock in sky-high rates on car, home, and renters insurance for years to come.

MORE:

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

How to find affordable car insurance in Ohio

Updating your insurance company on your new address is an important way to avoid a coverage lapse—but you might see your rate change based on your new ZIP code.

To make sure your rates stay low, experts recommend shopping for car insurance after any move, whether it’s across the country or down the block. If you’re tired from hauling boxes and haggling with moving companies, good news: with

licensed broker

and super app

Jerry

, you can find the lowest rates on car insurance in Ohio in just 45 seconds!

That might sound magically quick, but don’t underestimate the savings you could score in under a minute. Jerry users save an average of $887 a year on car insurance!

“
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FAQs

Can you change your address online in Ohio?

As long as you’re only moving with the state—yes! Just head to the BMV’s online portal to fill out the

change of address form

Do I have to get a new license when I move to Ohio?

Yes. All new residents are required to apply for an Ohio driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency. But good news: if you’ve already got a driver’s license from another state, you won’t need to take a driving or vision test to get your new license.

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