State service guide

West Virginia address and name change: 20-day address notice, no-fee database update, and document-heavy name proof

West Virginia treats address changes and name changes differently. For address changes, the state requires written notice within 20 days, and the standard change-of-address form updates the DMV database only. No new license is issued through that form and no fee is charged. Name changes are much heavier because the DMV requires proof of legal name change and must be able to link every prior legal name to the current one. If the card itself is being reissued after a name change or after a changed address, the driver must meet the corresponding document requirements for the card type.

Open official source View West Virginia services
Address deadline Notify the DMV in writing within 20 days of an address change
Address form result The standard form updates the DMV database only and issues no new license
Address form fee No fee is required for the standard database-only address update
Name proof rule The DMV must be able to establish a link between all legal name changes

Overview

What this page helps you verify

A strong West Virginia address-and-name-change page should lead with the 20-day deadline, then explain that West Virginia separates database updates from card reissuance. The change-of-address form is a no-fee record update, not an automatic new-card workflow. Name changes are much stricter because the DMV wants a documented legal-name chain and, for card issuance, the same kind of proof that applies to a changed record at renewal or duplicate issuance.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-17. This page was manually upgraded against service-specific official sources, but requirements can still change quickly.

Usually needed

Documents and information to prepare

  • For a database-only address update, the West Virginia DMV-98-TRB change-of-address form and a copy of your driver's license or state-issued photo ID
  • If replacing the card after an address change, two proofs of West Virginia residency with name and physical address
  • For a legal name change, the current license or ID plus the applicable legal name-change documents such as a certified marriage certificate, certified divorce decree, original or certified amended birth certificate, or court order
  • If you are age 50 or over and otherwise qualify, West Virginia allows a signed statement in lieu of some name-change documents after at least one renewal cycle in the verified name
  • If your Social Security record does not match the DMV record, you must correct it before West Virginia issues a permit, license, or ID

Typical flow

What the process often looks like

  1. Report a West Virginia address change in writing within 20 days instead of assuming the post office will update DMV records for you.
  2. Use the DMV-98-TRB form if you only need the DMV database updated, and attach the required copy of your license or other acceptable ID.
  3. If you also want a reissued card showing the changed address, handle the replacement as a separate document-based card transaction.
  4. For a legal name change, gather the certified name-link documents and correct any Social Security mismatch before asking DMV to issue the updated card.

Address changes

West Virginia separates the record update from the card replacement

That is the most important practical distinction on this page.

  • West Virginia says that if you change your address, you are required to notify the DMV in writing within 20 days.
  • The DMV-98-TRB form says it updates the DMV system only.
  • The same form says no new license or registration card will be issued and no fee is required.
  • The form is for mailing-address updates only and cannot be used to update the residential address.

Name changes

Name changes are handled as document-proof transactions, not simple record edits

This is where West Virginia becomes much stricter than its address-change workflow.

  • West Virginia says DMV must be able to establish a link between any legal name changes.
  • The DMV lists certified marriage certificates, original or certified amended birth certificates, court orders, and certified divorce decrees among the acceptable proof of legal name change documents.
  • If there is a mismatch between DMV and Social Security records for name or date of birth, West Virginia says the problem must be corrected before a permit, license, or identification card can be issued.

Reissued cards

Once a changed record touches the card itself, West Virginia falls back to the card-document rules

That is why an address or name update can be simple at the database level but heavier at issuance time.

  • For a renewal with no changes, West Virginia accepts the current license or renewal application, but address changes since the last card require two proofs of West Virginia residency.
  • For a duplicate issuance, West Virginia requires proof of identity and proof of West Virginia residency, and it also requires proof of legal name change documents if the legal name changed from the previous card.
  • West Virginia says the updated card is mailed after processing, with a temporary license issued at the application stage for card types that go through central production.

Accuracy notes

Where people get tripped up

  • West Virginia address-change content should lead with the 20-day written-notice rule and the fact that the standard form is database-only.
  • The form's mailing-address-only limitation matters because it is narrower than many generic state address-change pages imply.
  • Name-change content should emphasize the legal-name chain and Social Security match requirements because those are the main transaction blockers.

FAQ

Common questions

  • How fast do I have to report an address change to the West Virginia DMV?

    West Virginia says you must notify the DMV in writing within 20 days of the address change.

  • Will the standard West Virginia address-change form automatically mail me a new driver's license?

    No. The DMV-98-TRB form says it updates the DMV system only, issues no new license, and carries no fee.

  • What does West Virginia need for a legal name change on a driver's license?

    The DMV must be able to link every prior legal name to the current one, using documents such as a certified marriage certificate, certified divorce decree, court order, or original or certified amended birth certificate.

Sources

Official references used for this page

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