You can change your name on your Florida driver's license by visiting a DMV office with proof of a legal name change

Florida requires you to show official documentation that your name has legally changed — usually a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption papers. You cannot change your name on the license itself; you must first have the change recorded in the state system, then update your license to match. The process takes one visit to a DMV office and costs between $20 and $48 depending on whether you also need a new photo.

If you have already changed your name legally but your license still shows your old name, you are behind on a step you need to complete. This guide walks you through what documents to bring, where to go, and what to expect.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or adoption decree showing your legal name change before you can update your driver's license.
  • Visit any Florida DMV office in person with your current license, proof of your legal name change, and proof of your current address.
  • You can renew your license at the same time if it is expiring soon, which costs less than making two separate trips.
  • A name-change-only transaction takes about 15 to 30 minutes at the DMV office, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
  • Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you can drive on your old license until the new one arrives.

What documents prove your legal name change

Florida recognizes four main types of legal name change documents. A marriage certificate is the most common — it shows your new married name and is issued by the county clerk where you were married. A divorce decree works if it shows your name reverting to a former name or changing to a new name. A court order for name change is what you get if you went through the formal court process to change your name for any other reason. An adoption decree shows a name change resulting from adoption.

The document must be an official certified copy, not a photocopy or screenshot. If you do not have the original, you can request a certified copy from the county clerk's office where the document was issued — for a marriage certificate, that is the county where you were married; for a court order, it is the county courthouse that issued it. This usually costs $5 to $15 and takes a few days by mail or can be picked up in person the same day.

If your name change happened outside Florida, the document must still be official and certified. Florida will accept name-change documents from any U.S. state or U.S. territory.

What to bring to the DMV office

Bring your current Florida driver's license or ID card, even if it shows your old name. You also need the certified copy of your legal name-change document — the original or a certified copy, not a photocopy. Bring proof of your current address, such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Your name does not have to appear on the address proof, but the address must match what you want on your new license.

If you are changing your name and your address at the same time, bring both documents. If you are also renewing your license because it is expiring soon, bring that information too — the DMV can handle all three transactions in one visit. Bring your Social Security number or have it memorized; you will need it to complete the transaction.

How to find and visit a Florida DMV office

Go to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website (flhsmv.gov) and use their office locator tool. Enter your county or city, and the tool will show you nearby DMV offices with their hours and phone numbers. Not all offices handle all transactions, but all full-service DMV offices can process name changes on driver's licenses.

You do not need an appointment for a name-change transaction, but many offices now offer online appointment scheduling. Scheduling an appointment usually reduces your wait time to 15 to 30 minutes. If you walk in without an appointment, wait times vary widely — some offices have short waits in the early morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays, while others may have waits of an hour or more during lunch or late afternoon. Call the office before you go if you want to know the current wait time.

What happens during your DMV visit

When you arrive, check in at the front desk and tell the staff member you are here to change your name on your driver's license. They will give you a number or direct you to a window. When called, bring all your documents to the counter. The DMV staff member will review your current license, your legal name-change document, and your address proof. They will ask you to confirm your new name and verify your address.

If you are also renewing your license or updating your photo, they will take a new photo at this time. You will sign a form confirming the information on your new license. The staff member will collect a fee — $20 if you are only changing your name, or $48 if you are also renewing your license or getting a new photo. You can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card at most offices. The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes from check-in to completion.

When your new license arrives and what to do until then

Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided at the DMV office within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your old license with your old name until the new one arrives — Florida law allows this. If you need to show your license before the new one arrives and your name has legally changed, bring both your old license and your legal name-change document (marriage certificate, court order, etc.) to prove the name change is official.

If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Florida DMV by phone at 1-844-DL-RENEW (1-844-357-3639) or through their website. Have your driver's license number ready. The DMV can check the status of your license and reissue it if there was a problem with the mailing.

Changing your name on other Florida documents at the same time

Your driver's license is one document, but your name change affects other records too. After you update your license, you may want to update your vehicle registration with the Florida DMV — you can do this online through their website or at the same DMV office. You will also need to update your name with your bank, insurance company, employer, and the Social Security Administration separately; the DMV does not do this for you.

If you changed your name through marriage or divorce, you may also need to update your name with the IRS, your passport, and any professional licenses. These are separate from your driver's license and require separate applications or forms sent to each agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my license if I am not a Florida resident?

No. Your driver's license must match your state of residence. If you have moved to Florida and changed your name, you need to get a Florida license. If you still live in another state, you must update your name with that state's DMV instead.

What if my legal name change document is from another country?

Florida may accept name-change documents from other countries, but they must be official certified copies and may need to be translated into English by a certified translator. Contact the Florida DMV before you visit to confirm whether your specific document will be accepted.

Do I have to get a new photo when I change my name?

No. A name-only change costs $20 and does not require a new photo. However, if your current photo is more than 8 years old or you want a new one, you can request a new photo for an additional fee. The total cost for a name change with a new photo is $48.

What if I made a mistake on my new license after I left the DMV?

Contact the Florida DMV right away by phone or through their website. If the error was made by the DMV, they will correct it and reissue your license at no charge. If you need to make changes before your new license arrives, you may be able to return to the office and correct it before it is mailed.

Can I change my name online or by mail?

No. Florida requires you to appear in person at a DMV office with your original documents to change your name on your driver's license. You cannot do this online or by mail.