Moving somewhere in Illinois? Before you cruise around the new neighborhood, add updating the Illinois DMV change of address form to your moving to-do list. In some states, you have less than 30 days to update your driving records and/or vehicle registration with the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV), so now’s the time to act!
But don’t worry — we’ve got your back. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about updating your driving records with your new residential or mailing address. You’ll be able to head out with the car keys from the day you officially call Illinois home.
For both new and long-term Illinois residents, it is important to maintain a current address with the Secretary of State’s office. Whether you’re a new transplant from out of state or a lifelong Illinoisan just moving to the next town over, you have 10 days to notify the Secretary of State’s office of your new physical address.
From the never-ending tide of cardboard boxes to the U-Haul with the broken air conditioning, moving is often an unpleasant ordeal. Not to pile on or anything, but there’s one more thing you should take care of before catching forty winks: your official change of address. In Illinois, this involves notifying the Secretary of State’s office (either online or in-person) of your new address.
Jerry, your resident broker expert and #1 rated car insurance app on the App Store, knows that moving can be a real headache. That’s why we put together this handy little guide to show you how to complete a change of address in the Land of Lincoln.
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How to change your address on an Illinois driver’s license
Going to the DMV or any other government building to fill out paperwork is probably one of the least exciting ways to spend an afternoon. Luckily, submitting a change of address is easier than ever in today’s technological world. As you’re moving from one place in Illinois to another, you should be able to complete and submit your forms from the comfort of your own home.
If you’re moving within Illinois
It doesn’t matter if you’re making the haul from Rockford to Champaign or just moving a few blocks over in Chicago, you’ll still have to notify the Secretary of State’s office within 10 days of your arrival.
You’ll also have to apply for a new driver’s license/ID card and vehicle registration, which you can do by clicking here. Make sure you submit address changes for both the license/ID file and the registration file, as they are cataloged in separate databases. In addition, be sure to provide a change of address information for every vehicle listed in your name.
One last thing—if you want to update the address on your physical driver’s license/ID card, you’ll have to visit a Secretary of State's office in person. You will need to bring two forms of acceptable identification and enough money to cover your relevant fee.
If you’re moving to Illinois from another state
For out-of-state moves, a few more steps are added to the Illinois change of address procedure.
Once you move from another state, you will have to apply for an Illinois driver’s license within 90 days of your arrival. You will also have 10 days to update your address with the Illinois DMV. At this stage, it’s not necessary to purchase a corrected driver’s license/ID card, although you still can if you would like.
New citizens of Illinois are allowed to use their original driver’s license for up to 90 days. After that, you will be required to obtain a state driver’s license to become a legal Illinois resident.
To get a new driver’s license, you must visit a Secretary of State's office in person and complete the application process:
Surrender your old license
Pass a vision test
Pass a written exam
Pass a driving exam (potentially)
Make sure you bring proper identification with you so the state can verify your personal information.
After establishing residence, Illinois drivers have up to 30 days to apply for an Illinois title and registration to get updated plates for their vehicle. This has to be done in person at a Secretary of State facility.
Let’s recap:
Update address with the DMV: within 10 days
Apply for Illinois title and registration: within 30 days
Apply for an Illinois driver’s license: within 90 days
Other steps for an Illinois change of address
It might not be directly related to driving, but another important thing that many people forget to do when they move is to update their mailing address with the Post Office (USPS). Make sure you fill out your change of address form so you don’t miss anything important!
How to notify your insurance company of your Illinois change of address
It’s critically important to inform your insurance provider of your change of address to prevent losing coverage. This is often as simple as calling your agent, and there are often ways to do it online or through an app.
This is extremely important because you could end up in an unfortunate situation only to find that your insurance policy has fallen through or that you’re not carrying enough liability insurance to meet your new state’s requirements. If your policy lapses due to inattention on your part, you could be subject to fines and suspension of driving privileges.
Why is that, exactly? The fact is that many insurance providers base their rates around your address by considering local driving trends and risk factors within your ZIP code. If you change your ZIP code without informing them, you could be charged with fraud.
How to find affordable car insurance in Illinois
So you let your insurance company know you’re moving, only to find that your policy is more expensive now that you’ve arrived. What gives? After any move, it’s usually recommended that you shop around for a new car insurance policy to keep rates as low as possible.
You’re in luck, though, because car insurance super app Jerry can help you find savings in less than a minute. All you have to do is download the app and enter your information to get a personalized list of quotes gathered from 50+ top-rated insurance carriers. If you see something you like, our team of experts can even help you switch.
The best part? On average, Jerry customers save over $800 a year on their car insurance!
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