Change of address in New York
March 17, 2012 9:16 PM Subscribe
Questions about New York DMV records of my change of address.
I've been living in New York State for about 5 years, with a non-driver ID (instead of a driver's license). For the whole time, the card has listed the first address I've had in this state. However, I've actually changed my address a few times in the past 3 years. The DMV says there's a law that you have to notify them of a change of address within 10 days of the actual change, but I've never bothered to do this.
So, what should I do now? I do feel like it would be best to update the records and order a new card. But by updating my address years too late, would I end up somehow red-flagging the fact that I technically didn't follow the 10-day law? Everything online about this points out the law, but I can't find anything about what happens if you break it. I assume the answer is probably that it's not a big deal and nothing will happen to me, but I'm curious to hear what the process is really like from anyone who's dealt with this.
I also notice that even though the DMV supposedly offers a way to immediately change your address online, it seems like there's no way to do this properly if you've moved to a different zip code (which I have). Should I change my address online? Ah, but in order to do that, I need to register with their website and give my "current zip code." That zip code also needs to match what they have on record. So I can't give a straight answer to that question.
I've been living in New York State for about 5 years, with a non-driver ID (instead of a driver's license). For the whole time, the card has listed the first address I've had in this state. However, I've actually changed my address a few times in the past 3 years. The DMV says there's a law that you have to notify them of a change of address within 10 days of the actual change, but I've never bothered to do this.
So, what should I do now? I do feel like it would be best to update the records and order a new card. But by updating my address years too late, would I end up somehow red-flagging the fact that I technically didn't follow the 10-day law? Everything online about this points out the law, but I can't find anything about what happens if you break it. I assume the answer is probably that it's not a big deal and nothing will happen to me, but I'm curious to hear what the process is really like from anyone who's dealt with this.
I also notice that even though the DMV supposedly offers a way to immediately change your address online, it seems like there's no way to do this properly if you've moved to a different zip code (which I have). Should I change my address online? Ah, but in order to do that, I need to register with their website and give my "current zip code." That zip code also needs to match what they have on record. So I can't give a straight answer to that question.
I've changed my address online months after moving and didn't have any issues.
posted by griphus at 9:49 PM on March 17, 2012
posted by griphus at 9:49 PM on March 17, 2012
Best answer: They have no idea when you actually moved. They're not going to waste time digging through records to check up on you. The only way this is going to be a problem is if you have to present the ID with the old address to the police or the courts and they notice the discrepancy. If you change your address now, that won't be a problem.
As far as the web site is concerned, I did this with my wife yesterday. The zip code thing isn't an issue. We just signed up for the DMV account using the zip of our old address. Once we logged in, we changed it to the new address with the new zip code. As long as you make the change before you order the replacement, the new card will be delivered to your new address.
In the past, I've also been able to change the address over the phone. So if you really don't feel comfortable signing up for the online account with the old zip, call during business hours on Monday and change it that way.
posted by NormieP at 12:37 PM on March 18, 2012
As far as the web site is concerned, I did this with my wife yesterday. The zip code thing isn't an issue. We just signed up for the DMV account using the zip of our old address. Once we logged in, we changed it to the new address with the new zip code. As long as you make the change before you order the replacement, the new card will be delivered to your new address.
In the past, I've also been able to change the address over the phone. So if you really don't feel comfortable signing up for the online account with the old zip, call during business hours on Monday and change it that way.
posted by NormieP at 12:37 PM on March 18, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone, especially NormieP. I updated the records online, and I've received an updated ID card in the mail.
posted by jejune at 8:50 PM on April 4, 2012
posted by jejune at 8:50 PM on April 4, 2012
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posted by dfriedman at 9:28 PM on March 17, 2012