What You Need to Do to Change Your Name on Your License
To change your name on your driver's license, you must visit your state's DMV in person with proof of your legal name change and your current license. The DMV will not process a name change by mail, phone, or online in any state. You will fill out a form (the title varies by state—it might be called an process for Driver License, a License Renewal form, or a Name Change Request), pay a fee that ranges from $0 to $35 depending on your state, and receive a new license with your updated name.
The critical step before you go to the DMV is obtaining proof that your name change is legal. This proof takes different forms depending on why your name changed: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order for name change, or adoption papers. Without this document, the DMV will not process your request, and you will have wasted a trip.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit the DMV in person with your current license and a legal document proving your name change—marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption papers.
- Different states require different forms and charge different fees; check your state DMV website before you go to confirm what form to bring and what the fee is.
- If your name change was through marriage or divorce, bring the original or certified copy of the certificate or decree, not a photocopy.
- Your new license will have your updated name, but you may need to update your name with other agencies separately—your Social Security Administration record, vehicle registration, and insurance company.
- Processing time at the DMV visit is usually when ready, but if you request a replacement card by mail afterward, allow 1 to 3 weeks for delivery.
Proof Documents the DMV Will Accept
The DMV requires original or certified copies of your legal name-change document. A photocopy, even if notarized, will not work. If you are changing your name due to marriage, bring your marriage certificate. If you are changing your name due to divorce, bring your divorce decree or final judgment that shows your new name. If you obtained a court order for a legal name change, bring that order. If you are changing your name due to adoption, bring your adoption papers or final adoption decree.
Certified copies are official copies issued by the court, county clerk, or vital records office that issued the original document. You can request a certified copy from the office that issued your original document—usually the county clerk's office for marriage and divorce records, or the court that handled your name-change case. There is a fee for certified copies, typically $5 to $25 per copy, and processing takes 1 to 2 weeks by mail or same-day if you visit in person.
Some states accept a certified copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree from the county vital records office; others require the original. Check your state DMV website or call your local DMV office to confirm which documents they accept before you request certified copies.
State-by-State Form and Fee Requirements
Every state has a different form name and different fees for name changes on a driver's license. Some states include the name-change request on their standard driver's license renewal form; others have a separate form. Some states charge no fee for a name change if you are renewing your license at the same time; others charge a separate fee even if your license is not expiring.
The safest approach is to visit your state's DMV website and search for "name change" or "update name on license." read the form listed there, or call your local DMV office and ask which form to bring and what the fee is. This takes 10 minutes and prevents you from arriving at the DMV with the wrong paperwork.
| What You Need to Know | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| The correct form for your state | Your state DMV website, under "Forms" or "Driver License" |
| The fee for a name change | Your state DMV website, under "Fees" or "License Renewal Costs" |
| Whether you need an appointment | Your state DMV website or by calling your local office |
| Which documents are accepted as proof | Your state DMV website, under "Acceptable Documents" or "Name Change Requirements" |
What to Bring to the DMV
Bring your current driver's license, your original or certified copy of your legal name-change document, and the completed form for your state. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, because the DMV will verify that your name change matches your Social Security record. If your Social Security record has not been updated yet, update it first—you can do this online at ssa.gov or by visiting your local Social Security office with your name-change document.
Bring a second form of identification if your current license is expired or if you are changing your name for the first time and do not have a license yet. Acceptable forms include a passport, passport card, state ID card, military ID, or birth certificate. Bring the exact amount of the fee in cash or a debit card, because not all DMV offices accept credit cards or checks.
If you are changing your name due to marriage and your marriage certificate shows a different name than the one you want on your license, bring a court order or other legal document showing the name you want to use. For example, if you were married under one name but have since legally changed your name again, bring the second name-change document as well.
What Happens at the DMV During Your Visit
When you arrive at the DMV, check in at the front desk and tell the clerk you are there for a name change. The clerk will give you a number or direct you to a window. When you reach the counter, hand the clerk your current license, your name-change document, and your completed form. The clerk will verify that your name-change document is acceptable and that it matches the name you are requesting on your new license.
The clerk will ask you to sign the form and may ask you to confirm your address and other information on your license. You will pay the fee at this time. The clerk will take a new photo for your license unless your state allows you to keep your existing photo during a name-change-only transaction—ask the clerk whether a new photo is required.
In most states, you will receive your new license with your updated name when ready, either printed on-site or mailed to you within 1 to 3 weeks. Some states issue a temporary paper license at the DMV and mail the plastic card later. Ask the clerk what to expect before you leave.
Updating Your Name With Other Agencies
Changing your name on your driver's license does not automatically update your name with the Social Security Administration, your vehicle registration, your insurance company, or your employer. You must contact each of these separately.
Social Security Administration: Update your name online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Bring your name-change document and your Social Security card. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Vehicle registration: Contact your state's DMV or vehicle registration office and request a new registration card with your updated name. You may be able to do this online or by mail; check your state's website. There may be a small fee.
Insurance company: Call your auto insurance, health insurance, and homeowner's or renter's insurance companies and ask them to update your name on your policy. Have your policy number ready. This usually takes a few days.
Employer and financial institutions: Notify your employer's human resources department, your bank, your credit card companies, and any other financial institutions where you have accounts. They will send you updated documents with your new name.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is arriving at the DMV with a photocopy instead of an original or certified copy of your name-change document. The DMV will turn you away, and you will have to request a certified copy and return another day. Order your certified copy before you schedule your DMV visit.
The second most common mistake is not updating your Social Security record before you go to the DMV. If your Social Security record still shows your old name, the DMV may reject your request or issue a license that does not match your Social Security record, which can cause problems when you renew your license later. Update your Social Security record first, then go to the DMV.
A third mistake is assuming that changing your name on your license changes your name everywhere else. It does not. You must update your name separately with Social Security, your vehicle registration, your insurance company, and your employer. Keep a checklist and work through each one.
Finally, do not assume your state's process is the same as another state's. Forms, fees, and acceptable documents vary. Check your state DMV website before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my license by mail or online?
No. Every state requires you to visit the DMV in person with your current license and proof of your legal name change. You cannot complete a name change by mail, phone, or online in any state.
Do I need an appointment to change my name at the DMV?
Many states now require appointments for all DMV transactions, including name changes. Check your state DMV website to see whether appointments are required in your area. If they are, book your appointment online or by phone before you go.
How long does it take to get my new license after I change my name at the DMV?
If your state prints licenses on-site, you may receive your new license when ready or within a few hours. If your state mails licenses, expect 1 to 3 weeks. Ask the clerk at the DMV what to expect before you leave.
What if I changed my name but my Social Security record still shows my old name?
Update your Social Security record first before you go to the DMV. Visit ssa.gov, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office with your name-change document. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, so plan ahead.
Do I have to pay a fee to change my name on my license?
Fees vary by state. Some states charge no fee if you are renewing your license at the same time; others charge $5 to $35 for a name change. Check your state DMV website under "Fees" to find out what your state charges.