What You Need to Do to Change Your Name on Your California License

To change the name on your California driver's license, you must first have a court order or vital record showing your legal name change, then submit that document to the Department of Motor Vehicles along with your current license and a completed process. California does not allow name changes through the DMV itself — the name on your license must match the name on an official document from a court, a vital records office, or another government body that has already processed your name change.

The process takes about two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your documents. You do not need to retake the written or driving test, and you do not need to pay a replacement fee if you are changing only your name. However, you will receive a new license with a new number, and your old license becomes invalid.

Key Takeaways

  • You must obtain a court order or certified vital record proving your legal name change before the DMV will process any change to your license.
  • The most common sources for a name change document are a family court decree, a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a birth certificate correction from the state vital records office.
  • You can submit your documents by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through an authorized third-party service, and processing typically takes two to three weeks.
  • Your new license will have a different number and expiration date than your current license, even though you are only changing the name.

Documents You Must Bring or Mail to the DMV

The DMV requires three things: proof of your legal name change, your current California driver's license, and a completed process. The proof of name change must be an original or certified copy — a photocopy or screenshot will not be accepted.

Acceptable documents for proof of name change include a certified court order from a family court (for a legal name change petition), a certified marriage certificate (if you changed your name through marriage), a certified divorce decree or judgment (if you changed your name through divorce), or a certified birth certificate showing your new name (if you corrected your birth record with the state vital records office). If you are changing your name because of a court order from another state, that order must be certified by the court that issued it.

You will also need to complete Form DL 43, which is the process for California Driver's License or Identification Card. You can read this form from the California DMV website, or pick one up at any DMV office. The form asks for your current license number, your new name, and your signature.

How to Obtain Your Name Change Document

If you have already gone through a legal name change in court, you should have received a certified copy of the court order when the judge signed it. If you lost that copy or need another one, contact the family court in the county where your name change was granted and request a certified copy of the judgment. There is usually a fee of $10 to $25 per copy, and the court will mail it to you or let you pick it up in person.

If you changed your name through marriage, you need a certified marriage certificate from the county clerk in the county where you were married. You can order this by mail, phone, or online through the county recorder's office. The fee is typically $15 to $30, and processing takes one to two weeks.

If you changed your name through divorce, request a certified copy of your divorce decree or judgment from the family court that handled your case. The court clerk can provide this, usually within one to two weeks, for a fee of $10 to $25.

If you corrected your birth record with the California Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section, you can order a certified birth certificate showing your new name directly from that office. You can order online, by mail, or by phone. A certified copy costs about $20 to $30 and takes one to two weeks.

Where and How to Submit Your Documents

You have three options for submitting your name change documents to the DMV: by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through an authorized third-party service such as AAA or a private DMV service center.

By mail: Send your certified name change document, your current driver's license, and the completed Form DL 43 to the DMV address listed on the form. Include a copy of both sides of your current license. Mail delivery typically takes five to seven business days, and the DMV will process your request within two to three weeks after receiving it. There is no fee for a name-only change.

In person: Visit any California DMV office with your certified name change document, your current license, and Form DL 43. You will be assigned a number and wait to be called. The DMV will verify your documents on the spot, take a new photo, and issue you a temporary license valid for 60 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed. Your permanent license will arrive within two to three weeks. There is no fee.

Through a third-party service: Some AAA offices and private DMV service centers accept name change requests and forward them to the DMV on your behalf. These services may charge a convenience fee of $10 to $30 in addition to any DMV fees. Processing time is the same as mail submission — two to three weeks after the DMV receives your documents.

What Happens After You Submit Your Documents

Once the DMV receives your documents, a staff member will verify that your name change document is valid and that it matches the information on your current license. If everything is in order, the DMV will process your request and print a new license with your new name.

If you submitted your documents in person, you will receive a temporary license when ready that you can use for 60 days. Your permanent license will be mailed to the address on file within two to three weeks. If you submitted by mail or through a third-party service, your new license will be mailed to you without a temporary license in the interim.

If the DMV finds an issue with your documents — for example, if the name change document is not certified or does not clearly show your new name — the DMV will mail you a notice asking you to resubmit or provide additional information. This can add one to two weeks to the process.

Name Changes Due to Marriage, Divorce, or Correction

A name change through marriage does not require a court order. You can use your certified marriage certificate as proof of your new legal name. Some people keep their maiden name after marriage and do not change their license; that is a choice, not a requirement. If you later decide to change your license to match your married name, you can do so at any time by submitting your certified marriage certificate to the DMV.

If you divorce and want to return to your maiden name or change to a different name, you will need a certified copy of your divorce decree showing that the court granted you a name change as part of the divorce. If your divorce decree does not mention a name change, you will need to file a separate legal name change petition in family court.

If you discover an error on your birth certificate — for example, a misspelling of your name — you can request a correction from the California Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section. Once the correction is approved and a new birth certificate is issued, you can use that certified birth certificate to update your driver's license.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is submitting a photocopy or uncertified copy of your name change document. The DMV will reject it and send your documents back. Always request a certified copy from the court, county clerk, or vital records office — this is a document with an official seal or stamp and a certification statement signed by a clerk or official.

Another mistake is assuming your old license is still valid after you submit a name change request. Once the DMV processes your request, your old license is no longer valid, even if you have not yet received your new one. If you need to drive during the two to three weeks you are waiting for your new license, request a temporary license when you submit your documents in person, or contact the DMV to ask about a temporary license if you submitted by mail.

A third mistake is not updating your address with the DMV before changing your name. If your address on file is outdated, your new license will be mailed to the wrong place. If you have moved recently, update your address first by visiting a DMV office or using the DMV online service, then submit your name change documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my name on my license if I get married?

No. Changing your name on your license after marriage is optional in California. You can keep your maiden name on your license and use your married name elsewhere, or vice versa. If you do want to change it, you will need your certified marriage certificate.

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

If you submit in person, you will receive a temporary license when ready and your permanent license within two to three weeks. If you submit by mail or through a third-party service, your new license will be mailed to you within two to three weeks of the DMV receiving your documents. Mail delivery adds another five to seven business days.

What if my name change document is from another state?

California will accept a name change document from another state if it is certified by the court or agency that issued it. The document must clearly show your old name and your new name. Contact the DMV if you are unsure whether your out-of-state document will be accepted.

Can I change my name on my license without a court order?

Only if your name change is documented on an official vital record or government document — such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or corrected birth certificate. If you want to change your name for any other reason, you must file a legal name change petition in family court first.

Is there a fee to change my name on my California license?

No. The DMV does not charge a fee for a name-only change to your driver's license. However, if you use a third-party service to submit your documents, that service may charge a convenience fee of $10 to $30.