How to Change Your Name on a Florida Driver's License

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

To change the name on your Florida driver's 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 allow name changes by mail or online. The process takes about 15 minutes at the counter, and you will receive a temporary license on the spot while your new card is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

You cannot straightforward tell DHSMV your new name — you must first have a legal document showing the change. The most common sources are a court order from a name-change case, a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order from a gender-marker change case. DHSMV will make a copy of whichever document you bring, so bring the original.

Key Takeaways

You must visit a DHSMV office in person with your current license and an original legal document proving your name change.
Acceptable proof includes a court order for name change, a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order for gender-marker change.
You will pay a $20 license replacement fee and receive a temporary license when ready; your new card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If your legal name change was more than one year ago, bring the original court order or certified copy; DHSMV may request it even if you have a more recent document.

Documents You Must Bring to the DHSMV Office

Bring your current Florida driver's license and the original legal document that proves your name change. If you are changing your name due to marriage, bring your original marriage certificate or a certified copy issued by the county clerk. If you are changing your name due to divorce, bring the original divorce decree or a certified copy. If you obtained a court order for a name change through the circuit court, bring the original order or a certified copy stamped by the court.

You will also need to bring proof of your Social Security number. This can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security statement. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a birth certificate, passport, or military ID instead. DHSMV will not accept a photocopy of your Social Security card.

Bring your proof of Florida residency as well. This can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within the last 60 days. A bank statement or credit card statement also works. Your address on your current license counts as proof if it matches your current address; if you have moved, bring one of the documents listed above.

Step-by-Step Process at the DHSMV Office

Go to your nearest DHSMV office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. You can find your local office and check hours on the DHSMV website by entering your county or city.

Take a number at the counter and wait to be called. When it is your turn, hand the clerk your current license, your legal name-change document, and your proof of Social Security number and residency. The clerk will scan your documents, take a new photo if your current license photo is more than 10 years old, and ask you to sign the back of a temporary license. You will pay the $20 replacement fee at this time — cash, debit, or credit card are accepted.

The clerk will give you a temporary license printed on paper. This is valid when ready and works as your license until your new card arrives. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact DHSMV to check the status.

Fees and What Happens If Your License Expires Soon

The replacement fee for a name change is $20. This is a one-time fee and covers the cost of the new card. You do not pay extra if your license is expiring within the next few months.

If your license expires within 90 days of your name-change visit, DHSMV will issue you a new license with your new name and a new expiration date. Your new expiration date will be eight years from the date you explore (or five years if you are under 21). You will still pay only the $20 replacement fee, not a full renewal fee. If your license expires more than 90 days away, your new card will have the same expiration date as your current license.

Name Changes Due to Marriage or Divorce

If you are changing your name because you married, bring your original marriage certificate or a certified copy from the county clerk's office where you were married. The certificate must show both your old and new names. If you do not have the original, you can order a certified copy from the county clerk — this usually takes 5 to 10 business days and costs $10 to $25 depending on the county.

If you are changing your name because you divorced and your divorce decree includes your new name, bring the original decree or a certified copy from the circuit court clerk. The decree must clearly state your new legal name. If your divorce was finalized in another state, bring the original decree or a certified copy certified by the court that issued it.

You do not need a separate court order for a name change if your marriage certificate or divorce decree already shows your new name. DHSMV will accept the marriage certificate or divorce decree as your proof of legal name change.

Court-Ordered Name Changes and Gender-Marker Changes

If you obtained a legal name change through a Florida circuit court, bring the original court order or a certified copy stamped by the court clerk. The order must show your old name, your new name, and the judge's signature. If you obtained your name-change order in another state, bring the original or a certified copy certified by that state's court.

If you are changing your gender marker on your license at the same time as your name, bring the court order that authorized the gender-marker change. Florida allows you to change your gender marker from M to F, F to M, or to X (non-binary) with a court order. You can do both the name change and gender-marker change in the same DHSMV visit, and you will pay only one $20 fee.

Common Mistakes and What to Avoid

Do not bring a photocopy of your legal name-change document. DHSMV requires the original or a certified copy. A certified copy is a photocopy stamped and signed by the court clerk or county clerk; it is not the same as a regular photocopy. If you only have a photocopy, contact the court or county clerk's office and request a certified copy before you go to DHSMV.

Do not assume your old address on your current license counts as proof of residency if you have moved. If your address has changed since you got your current license, bring a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. DHSMV will not accept an address change without current proof of where you live.

Do not go to DHSMV without your Social Security number proof. You must bring your Social Security card, a W-2, a 1099, or a Social Security statement. If you cannot find any of these, bring a birth certificate, passport, or military ID instead. DHSMV will not process your name change without proof of your Social Security number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my license if I changed my name more than a year ago?

Yes. DHSMV will accept a legal name-change document from any date in the past. However, if your name change was more than one year ago and you have not yet updated your license, bring the original court order or certified copy. DHSMV may ask to see it even if you have a more recent document like a marriage certificate.

What if I lost my original marriage certificate or court order?

Contact the county clerk's office where you were married (for a marriage certificate) or the circuit court clerk (for a court order) and request a certified copy. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days and costs $10 to $25. A certified copy is acceptable to DHSMV and has the same legal weight as the original.

Do I have to go in person, or can I mail in my documents?

You must go in person to a DHSMV office. Florida does not allow name changes by mail or online. You need to be present for a new photo and to sign the temporary license.

What if my new license arrives with the wrong name or information?

Contact DHSMV when ready. If the name is misspelled or incorrect, you can return to a DHSMV office with your temporary license and the new card, and they will issue a corrected card at no extra charge. If the card does not arrive within two weeks, call DHSMV to check the status of your order.

Can I change my name and renew my license at the same time?

If your license expires within 90 days of your name-change visit, DHSMV will issue a new card with your new name and a new expiration date, and you pay only the $20 replacement fee. If your license expires more than 90 days away, you will pay the $20 replacement fee now and can renew your license separately when it is due.

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.