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

To change the name on your Texas driver's license, you must visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person with proof of your legal name change and your current license. Texas does not allow name changes by mail or online. The process itself is straightforward — you fill out an process, show your documents, and pay a fee — but the documents you bring matter. You cannot change your name on the license itself; you must have already changed your name legally through marriage, divorce, court order, or another legal process before DPS will update your license.

The entire visit usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is. You will leave with a temporary paper license that day and receive your new plastic license in the mail within two to three weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a DPS office in person with proof of your legal name change and your current driver's license.
  • Your name change must already be legal before you explore — through a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other official document.
  • You will need to complete Form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License) and pay the standard license fee, which varies based on your license type and how long you want it to be valid.
  • You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your new plastic license by mail within two to three weeks.
  • If your name change was through marriage or divorce, bring the original or certified copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree.

Documents You Must Bring to the DPS Office

Bring your current Texas driver's license and one document that proves your legal name change. The document depends on how your name changed. If you married, bring your original or certified copy of your marriage certificate. If you divorced, bring your original or certified copy of your divorce decree that shows your new name. If you changed your name by court order, bring the certified court order. If you are a transgender person who changed your name through a court order, bring that order.

You will also need to bring proof of your identity and residency in Texas. Your current driver's license covers identity, but you may need additional documents depending on the DPS office's requirements. Call ahead to the office where you plan to go and ask what they need — requirements can vary slightly between locations.

Do not bring originals of important documents unless you are certain the office will return them. Many DPS offices will accept certified copies instead, which you can obtain from the courthouse or vital records office that issued the original document.

The process Form and Fee

You will fill out Form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License) at the DPS office or bring a completed copy with you. The form asks for your new name, your old name, your date of birth, and other standard license information. You can read the form from the Texas DPS website before you go, which saves time.

The fee for a name change on your license depends on your license type and how long you want the new license to be valid. A standard five-year license costs less than an eight-year license. The DPS office will tell you the exact fee when you arrive. You can pay by cash, check, or card — call ahead to confirm which payment methods the specific office accepts.

What Happens at the DPS Office

Arrive with all your documents and your completed Form DL-43. A DPS employee will review your documents to confirm your legal name change is valid. They will take a new photo for your license unless you had a recent photo taken. You will be asked to sign the process and pay the fee.

Before you leave, you will receive a temporary paper license that is valid when ready. This temporary license has your new name on it and works as a valid form of identification while you wait for your plastic license to arrive. Keep it in a safe place — you will need it if you are stopped by police or asked for ID before your new plastic license arrives.

Your new plastic license will be mailed to the address on file within two to three weeks. If you do not receive it after three weeks, contact the DPS office where you applied.

If Your Name Change Was Through Marriage

Bring your original or certified copy of your marriage certificate. Texas DPS will accept a certified copy from the county clerk's office where you were married, or an original certificate issued by the state vital records office. If you do not have a certified copy, you can order one from the vital records office in the county where you were married — this usually takes one to two weeks and costs a small fee.

You do not need a court order for a name change through marriage. The marriage certificate itself is your proof of the legal name change.

If Your Name Change Was Through Divorce

Bring your original or certified copy of your divorce decree. The decree must clearly show your new name. If your divorce was finalized in Texas, you can get a certified copy from the district court clerk's office in the county where the divorce was granted. If your divorce was in another state, order a certified copy from that state's court system.

Some people do not change their name during the divorce process and do so later through a separate court order. If that is your situation, bring the court order instead of the divorce decree.

If Your Name Change Was Through a Court Order

Bring your certified copy of the court order that changed your name. This applies if you changed your name for reasons other than marriage or divorce — for example, if you are a transgender person who went through a legal name change process, or if you changed your name for personal reasons through a district court.

The court order must be certified and must clearly show your old name and your new name. You can get a certified copy from the district court clerk's office in the county where the order was issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my license by mail or online?

No. Texas requires you to appear in person at a DPS office with your documents. There is no mail-in or online option for name changes on driver's licenses.

What if I lost my current driver's license?

You can still change your name, but you will need to bring another form of ID that shows your old name. A passport, birth certificate, or state ID card will work. Contact the DPS office where you plan to go and ask what documents they will accept.

Do I need to change my name on my license if I got married?

No, it is not required. You can keep your maiden name on your license if you choose to. However, if you want your new married name on your license, you must bring your marriage certificate to a DPS office and update it.

How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?

Your new plastic license should arrive within two to three weeks of your visit. If you need to travel or use your ID before then, use the temporary paper license you received at the office.

What if the DPS office rejects my name change documents?

The office will tell you which document is not acceptable and what you need instead. If your marriage certificate or court order is not certified, you will need to get a certified copy from the courthouse or vital records office. You can return to the DPS office once you have the correct document.