How to Change Your Name on Your Driver's License

What You Need to Do to Change Your Name on Your Driver's License

To change the name on your driver's license, you must visit your state's DMV in person, bring legal proof that your name has changed, and submit a request form. The DMV will not update your license based on a phone call, email, or online submission — you have to appear with documents. Most states process name changes within two to four weeks, though some offer expedited service for an additional fee.

The specific documents you need and the exact form depend on your state. A name change caused by marriage requires a certified marriage certificate. A name change caused by court order requires the court's certified decree. A name change caused by divorce requires a certified divorce decree showing your new name. Some states also accept other documents — a passport with your new name, a Social Security card, or a birth certificate if you are correcting a misspelling — but the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order is the document the DMV will ask for first.

Key Takeaways

You must visit the DMV in person with a certified legal document proving your name change; online or mail-in requests are not accepted in any state.
A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order is the primary document the DMV will request, depending on why your name changed.
You will need to bring your current driver's license, a completed name-change form (the form name varies by state), and a valid ID if your current license has expired.
Processing time is usually two to four weeks, but some states offer rush service for a higher fee if you need the new license sooner.
A name change on your license does not automatically update your Social Security record or vehicle registration — you must contact those agencies separately.

Documents You Must Bring to the DMV

Bring your current driver's license, even if it is expired. Bring the certified legal document that proves your name changed — this is the document the DMV will examine most closely. If you changed your name because of marriage, bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate (not a photocopy you made yourself; it must be certified by the county clerk or vital records office where the marriage was recorded). If you changed your name because of divorce, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree that shows your new name. If you changed your name by court order, bring a certified copy of the court's name-change decree.

Bring a completed name-change form. The form name and number differ by state — some call it a Driver's License process, some call it a Name Change Request, some include it as part of a renewal form. Check your state's DMV website to read the correct form before you go, or ask the DMV clerk for it when you arrive. Bring a valid ID if your current driver's license has expired (a passport, military ID, or state ID card will work). Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, because the DMV will verify it against the Social Security Administration's records.

State-by-State Differences in Processing and Fees

Most states charge a fee to change your name on your license. The fee ranges from $10 to $35 depending on the state, and some states charge the same fee as a license renewal while others charge less. A few states do not charge a fee for a name change caused by marriage, but charge a fee for a name change caused by court order or divorce. Check your state's DMV fee schedule before you go so you know what to bring.

Processing time also varies. Some states mail your new license within two weeks; others take four weeks or longer. A handful of states offer expedited processing — you pay an extra fee (usually $10 to $25) and receive your license within five to seven business days instead. Some states allow you to request a temporary paper license at the DMV counter so you have proof of your name change while you wait for the plastic card to arrive in the mail. Ask the DMV clerk whether this option is available in your state.

A few states allow you to change your name by mail if you are renewing your license at the same time, but this is rare. Most states require you to appear in person for any name change, even if you are also renewing. Check your state's DMV website or call the DMV before you go to confirm whether your state allows mail-in name changes.

What Happens at the DMV Counter

When you arrive at the DMV, take a number or check in at the counter and tell the clerk you are changing your name. The clerk will ask to see your current license and your legal name-change document. They will examine the certified document to confirm it is genuine and that your name on the document matches the name you want on your new license. They will ask you to sign the name-change form and may take a new photo for your license.

The clerk will run your information through the DMV system and verify your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration. If everything matches, they will process your request and give you a receipt showing your new name and the date your new license will arrive. If your information does not match — for example, if your Social Security record still shows your old name — the DMV may delay processing until you update your Social Security record first. This is why it is important to update Social Security before you go to the DMV if you can, though many people do it the other way around.

Update Your Social Security Record and Other Documents Separately

Changing your name on your driver's license does not automatically change your name with the Social Security Administration, your employer, your bank, or any other agency. You must contact each one separately. To update Social Security, visit your local Social Security office in person with your new driver's license and your Social Security card (or a document showing your number). You can also mail in a completed Form SS-5 with a certified copy of your name-change document, though this takes longer.

Update your vehicle registration with your state's DMV at the same time you change your license, or shortly after. Some states allow you to update your registration online or by mail if you are only changing the name on the title; others require you to visit the DMV in person. Update your passport with the U.S. State Department using Form DS-11 or DS-82, depending on whether your passport is still valid. Update your bank accounts, credit cards, insurance policies, and employer records by contacting each organization directly — most will accept a copy of your new driver's license as proof of your name change.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not bring a photocopy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV requires a certified copy issued by the county clerk or court. A certified copy has an official seal or stamp and is signed by a clerk. If you only have a photocopy, contact the county clerk's office or the court that issued the original document and request a certified copy. This usually costs $5 to $15 and takes one to two weeks by mail.

Do not assume your name change will be processed the same day. Most states mail your new license, which means you will not have it in hand when you leave the DMV. Ask the clerk for a receipt or temporary document showing your new name so you have proof while you wait. Do not delay updating your Social Security record. If your Social Security record still shows your old name and the DMV checks it during processing, your license process may be held up. Update Social Security first if you can, or do it when ready after you receive your new license.

Do not forget to update your vehicle registration, passport, and insurance. A new driver's license with your new name does not update those documents automatically. If you are pulled over and your license shows one name but your vehicle registration shows another, you may face questions from the officer. Update all your documents within a few weeks of receiving your new license.

If Your Name Change Was Caused by Something Other Than Marriage or Divorce

If you changed your name by court order — for example, because you went through a legal name-change process — bring the certified court decree to the DMV. If you are correcting a misspelling on your current license, bring a certified birth certificate or other document showing the correct spelling. Some states allow you to correct a misspelling without a court order if the error was made by the DMV itself; in that case, bring your current license and ask the clerk to research the original process.

If you changed your name because of an adoption, bring the certified adoption decree. If you are a transgender person changing your name and gender marker, the process varies significantly by state. Some states allow you to change both your name and gender marker at the DMV with a court order; others allow a gender marker change without a court order but still require one for a name change. Check your state's DMV website for the specific requirements for transgender name and gender marker changes, as they differ from the standard name-change process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my license without going to the DMV in person?

No. Every state requires you to appear in person at the DMV to change your name on your driver's license. You cannot do it by mail, phone, or online. The only exception is in a few states that allow you to change your name by mail if you are renewing your license at the same time, but this is uncommon. Check your state's DMV website to confirm.

How long does it take to get my new license after I change my name?

Most states mail your new license within two to four weeks of your visit to the DMV. Some states take longer. If you need your new license sooner, ask the DMV clerk whether your state offers expedited processing for an additional fee — this usually reduces the wait to five to seven business days. Some states also issue a temporary paper license at the counter so you have proof of your name change while you wait.

Do I need to change my name with Social Security before I go to the DMV?

You do not have to, but it is a good idea. If your Social Security record still shows your old name when the DMV checks it, your license process may be delayed. You can update Social Security after you receive your new license, but updating it first prevents any hold-up at the DMV. Visit your local Social Security office with your new driver's license and your Social Security card.

What if my marriage certificate or divorce decree is not certified?

The DMV will not accept it. Contact the county clerk's office or the court that issued the original document and request a certified copy. This usually costs $5 to $15 and takes one to two weeks by mail. Some counties offer rush service for an additional fee. Do not try to use a photocopy or an uncertified copy — the DMV will turn you away.

Will my new license have a different number?

In most states, your license number stays the same when you change your name. A few states issue a new number along with a new name. Ask the DMV clerk whether your state will keep your current number or issue a new one. Your new license will have a new expiration date if your current license is expiring soon, but the DMV will usually extend the expiration date to match your old license's expiration if you are only changing your name.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.