What you need to do to change your name on your Tennessee license
To change the name on your Tennessee driver's license, you must visit a Driver Services Center in person with proof that your name has legally changed. Tennessee does not allow name changes by mail or online. The state recognizes name changes through marriage, divorce, court order, or other legal means — but you have to show the document that proves it happened.
The process itself is straightforward: bring your current license, the legal document showing your name change, and acceptable identification. A staff member will verify your documents, take a new photo, and issue you a replacement license with your new name. Most people complete this in one visit and receive their new license within a few days.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Driver Services Center in person with your current license and the legal document that proves your name change.
- Tennessee accepts name changes from marriage certificates, divorce decrees, court orders, and other official legal documents.
- You will need a second form of identification beyond your current driver's license to verify your identity.
- There is a replacement license fee, which varies depending on how much time remains on your current license.
- Your new license will be mailed to you within a few business days; you can request a temporary paper license to use when ready.
Documents you must bring to the Driver Services Center
Your current Tennessee driver's license is required. You also need the original or certified copy of the legal document that changed your name. For marriage, bring your marriage certificate. For divorce, bring the divorce decree showing your new name. For a court-ordered name change, bring the court order itself.
You will also need a second form of identification. Acceptable documents include a passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, military ID, or state ID from another state. The document must show your name — either your old name or your new name — so staff can verify you are the person explore.
If your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order was issued outside Tennessee, bring the original or a certified copy. A photocopy is not enough. If the document is in another language, bring a certified English translation along with the original.
Which legal documents Tennessee accepts for name changes
A marriage certificate is the most common document. Tennessee recognizes marriages performed in any U.S. state or country. Bring the original or certified copy issued by the county clerk or vital records office where you were married.
A divorce decree works if it shows your new name after the divorce. Some decrees list a name change as part of the order; others do not. If your decree does not mention a name change but you want to use your maiden name or another name, you will need a separate court order instead.
A court-ordered name change is required if you are changing your name for reasons other than marriage or divorce. You obtain this through a petition filed in your county's chancery court. Once the judge approves it, you receive a court order that you bring to the Driver Services Center.
Tennessee also recognizes name changes from adoption decrees and gender marker changes approved by a court. Bring the original or certified copy of the court order.
The replacement license fee and what it covers
Tennessee charges a replacement fee for a license issued due to a name change. The fee depends on how much time is left on your current license. If your license expires within one year, the replacement fee is lower than if it has several years remaining. Check the current fee on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website, as fees can change.
The fee covers a new license with your updated name and a new photo. You do not pay extra for a temporary paper license, which you can request at the Driver Services Center and use when ready while your permanent license is mailed to you.
Payment methods vary by location. Most Driver Services Centers accept cash, debit, and credit cards. Some locations may have different payment options, so call ahead if you want to confirm.
How to find a Driver Services Center near you
Tennessee has Driver Services Centers throughout the state, run by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. You can visit any center — you do not have to go to the one in your county. Use the online location finder on the Tennessee Department of Safety website to find hours, addresses, and phone numbers.
Many centers operate by appointment only, especially since the pandemic. Check the website or call before you go to see if you need to schedule a time slot. Walk-ins are sometimes accepted, but you may wait longer. Scheduling an appointment online or by phone takes a few minutes and guarantees you a specific time.
If you live far from a Driver Services Center, ask whether your county clerk's office offers any driver's license services. Some counties have limited services available at the courthouse, though a full Driver Services Center is usually required for a name change.
What happens after you submit your documents
Once the staff member verifies your documents and takes your new photo, they will give you a receipt. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within a few business days. You can request a temporary paper license at the counter, which you can use for identification and driving while you wait for the permanent license to arrive.
If you need to update the mailing address on your license, tell the staff member before you leave. You can also update your address online through the Tennessee Department of Safety website if you do not want to wait for the new license to arrive first.
If your new license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Driver Services Center where you applied. Keep your receipt in case you need to reference your process.
Changing your name after marriage, divorce, or court order
After marriage, you have no important date to change your license name, but doing it soon prevents confusion with banks, employers, and other institutions. Bring your marriage certificate and your current license to any Driver Services Center.
After divorce, the timeline depends on your divorce decree. If the decree grants you a name change, you can update your license when ready. If you want to change your name but the decree does not mention it, you will need to file a separate petition for a court-ordered name change in chancery court. This takes a few weeks and costs a court filing fee.
If you obtained a court-ordered name change through the chancery court, bring the signed court order to the Driver Services Center. The order is your proof that the name change is legal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my license by mail or online?
No. Tennessee requires you to appear in person at a Driver Services Center with your original documents. You cannot complete a name change by mail, online, or through a third-party service.
What if my marriage certificate or divorce decree was issued in another country?
Bring the original or certified copy, plus a certified English translation. The Driver Services Center staff will review both documents to confirm the name change is legal and valid in Tennessee.
Do I need to change my name with Social Security before I change my driver's license?
No specific order is required, but many people update Social Security first because the Social Security card is accepted as a second form of identification at the Driver Services Center. You can do either one first.
How long does it take to receive my new license in the mail?
Most new licenses arrive within a few business days. If you need to drive before it arrives, request a temporary paper license at the Driver Services Center, which you can use when ready.
What if I changed my name years ago but never updated my license?
You can still update it now. Bring your current license and the original legal document that changed your name — the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. There is no time limit on when you can make this change.