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

To change the name on your Florida driver license, you must visit a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office in person with proof of your legal name change and your current license. Florida does not process name changes by mail or online. The DHSMV will not change your name based on what you tell them — they require official court documents or vital records showing the name change is legal.

The process itself is straightforward once you have the right documents: you show up, present your proof, pay the fee, and leave with a new license the same day. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes if you arrive during off-peak hours. However, the work happens before you walk into the office — gathering the documents that prove your name change is real.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a DHSMV office in person with your current license and official proof of your legal name change.
  • Acceptable proof includes a court order from a name change case, a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a vital record amendment from the Florida Department of Health.
  • The fee for a name change on your license is $25 for a standard replacement license, or $10 if you are renewing at the same time.
  • You will receive your new license the same day you visit the office; the DHSMV does not mail replacement licenses for name changes.
  • If your name change came from a court order, bring the certified copy issued by the clerk of court, not a photocopy or uncertified version.

Documents That Prove Your Name Change Is Legal

The DHSMV accepts only official documents issued by a government body. A personal letter, an email, or a notarized statement is not enough. The document must show your old name and your new name, and it must come from a source with legal authority to record the change.

A certified court order from a Florida name change case is the most common proof. You obtain this from the clerk of court in the county where you filed the case. The order must be certified (stamped and signed by the clerk) and must show the judge's signature. If you filed in another state, the DHSMV will accept a certified copy of that state's court order.

A marriage certificate counts as proof if your name changed because you married. The certificate must be an official copy issued by the vital records office in the state where you married, not a photocopy or a personal copy. If you married in Florida, request a certified copy from the Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics.

A divorce decree or dissolution of marriage judgment that shows your name change is also acceptable. Like a marriage certificate, it must be an official certified copy from the court or vital records office that issued it. If the decree does not show your new name clearly, bring it along with a marriage certificate or other document that shows what your name was before the divorce.

An amendment to your vital record (birth certificate) is acceptable if you filed an amendment with the Florida Department of Health to change the name on your birth certificate. You will need a certified copy of the amended birth certificate, not the original amendment paperwork.

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Name Change Documents

If your name changed by court order, contact the clerk of court in the county where you filed the case. You can usually request a certified copy by phone, mail, or in person. Some county clerks offer online ordering. The fee is typically $1 to $5 per certified copy, though it varies by county. Ask for a certified copy of the final judgment or order, and specify that you need it for a driver license name change.

If your name changed by marriage, divorce, or vital record amendment in Florida, contact the Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics at 904-359-6900 or visit their website. You can order a certified copy by mail or in person. The fee is $5 for a certified copy of a marriage certificate or divorce record, plus a search fee if the vital records office has to locate the document. Processing by mail takes 5 to 10 business days.

If your name change happened in another state, contact that state's vital records office or the clerk of court in the county where the change was recorded. Each state has different fees and processing times. Plan for 1 to 3 weeks if you are ordering by mail.

What to Bring to the DHSMV Office

Bring your current Florida driver license, your certified name change document, and proof of your Social Security number. Proof of your Social Security number can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security Administration letter. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a birth certificate or passport instead.

You do not need to bring proof of residency or proof of identity beyond your current license. The DHSMV already has your identity on file. Bring the original certified document, not a photocopy — the DHSMV staff will examine it and return it to you.

If you are changing your name and also renewing your license at the same time (because your license is expiring soon), bring your renewal documents as well: proof of residency and proof of Social Security number. This can save you a second trip.

The Fee and What Happens at the Office

A name change on your Florida driver license costs $25 for a replacement license. If you are renewing your license at the same time, the fee is $10 instead. You pay at the DHSMV office when you submit your documents.

When you arrive, check in at the counter and tell the staff member you are here for a name change. They will ask for your current license and your name change document. They will examine the document to confirm it shows your old name and new name. They will then take a new photo (unless you renewed your license within the last year and do not want a new photo), update your record in the DHSMV system, and print your new license on the spot.

Your new license will have your new name, your current address, and your current license number (the number does not change). The license is valid when ready. You do not have to wait for it to arrive in the mail — you leave with it in your hand.

Finding a DHSMV Office Near You and Avoiding Long Wait Times

Florida has DHSMV offices in every county. You can visit any office; you do not have to go to the one in your home county. To find the office nearest you, visit the DHSMV website and use the office locator tool, or call 850-617-3000.

Wait times vary widely by location and time of day. Offices in large cities and in tourist areas tend to be busier. Early morning (right when the office opens) and mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) are usually quieter than afternoons and Fridays. Some offices offer online appointment scheduling; check the DHSMV website to see if your local office does.

If you want to avoid the office entirely, you cannot — Florida requires you to appear in person for a name change. However, you can reduce your time in the office by having all your documents ready and organized before you arrive. Bring your documents in a folder so you can hand them over quickly.

Name Changes From Other States or Countries

If you changed your name in another state and now live in Florida, bring a certified copy of the court order or vital record from that state. The DHSMV accepts name change documents from any U.S. state or U.S. territory. The process is the same: you show the certified document, pay the fee, and receive your new license the same day.

If you changed your name in another country and now hold a Florida license, the DHSMV will accept a certified translation of the foreign court order or vital record, along with the original document. You must have the translation done by a certified translator. The DHSMV will examine both documents before updating your license.

If you are a new Florida resident and your out-of-state license shows your old name, you can change your name when you renew or replace your license. Bring your certified name change document along with your renewal or replacement documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my name with Social Security before I change it on my license?

No. You can change your name on your driver license first, then update Social Security afterward. However, Social Security recommends updating your name with them before you update your license, because your license is often used as proof of identity when you explore for other documents. The order does not affect your license change.

What if my court order or marriage certificate is from another country?

The DHSMV will accept a certified translation of the document along with the original. You must hire a certified translator to produce the translation. Bring both the original document and the certified English translation to the DHSMV office.

Can I change my name on my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or suspension?

Yes. A name change is a separate transaction from your driving record. The DHSMV will process your name change even if your license is suspended or you have unpaid tickets. However, your new license will still show the suspension or hold if one exists on your record.

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

You receive your new license the same day you visit the DHSMV office. The license is printed on-site and is valid when ready. You do not wait for anything to arrive in the mail.

What if I lost my certified name change document?

Contact the source that issued it — the clerk of court, the vital records office, or the state agency that recorded the change — and request a replacement certified copy. You will likely pay a small fee. Once you have the replacement, you can visit the DHSMV and proceed with your name change.