What you need to do to change your name on your Illinois license
To change your name on your Illinois driver's license, you must visit a Secretary of State facility in person with a court order showing your legal name change, or with a certified marriage certificate if you changed your name through marriage. Illinois does not allow name changes by mail or online. You will fill out a new process (Form DL 101), pay a fee, and receive a new license with your updated name.
The process is straightforward if you have the right documents, but the document requirement is strict — a photocopy or uncertified copy will not work. If you changed your name through marriage, divorce, or court order, you must bring the original certified document or a certified copy issued by the court or vital records office.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Secretary of State driver services facility in person; name changes cannot be done by mail or online.
- Bring either a certified court order (for legal name changes) or a certified marriage certificate (for marriage-based name changes).
- You will complete Form DL 101 and pay the standard license fee, which varies depending on the type of license you hold.
- Your new license will be issued the same day if all documents are in order, though you may wait several hours during busy times.
- If your name change was through divorce, bring the certified divorce decree, not just a copy.
Documents you must bring to the Secretary of State
Bring your current Illinois driver's license or ID card, your certified name-change document, and proof of your current address. The certified document is the critical piece — it must be an official copy with a court seal or vital records office stamp, not a photocopy you made yourself.
If you changed your name through marriage, bring the certified marriage certificate issued by the county clerk in the county where you were married. If you changed your name through divorce or court order, bring the certified divorce decree or court order. Some people bring both their current license and the certified document in a folder to avoid losing either one while waiting.
For proof of address, bring a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement in your current name. If your address has not changed since your last license, your current license itself may serve as proof. Ask the Secretary of State employee when you arrive whether your current license is sufficient.
Where to go and how long it takes
Visit any Secretary of State driver services facility. You can find the location nearest you on the Illinois Secretary of State website by entering your zip code. Facilities are located in most counties, and many are in larger cities and towns. Some facilities are busier than others — locations in downtown Chicago or near major highways often have longer waits than smaller-town offices.
Bring your documents and be prepared to wait. During peak hours (late morning and early afternoon on weekdays), waits can be one to three hours. If you go early in the morning when the office opens or on a weekday afternoon after 3 p.m., you may wait 30 minutes or less. Bring something to read or work on, because the wait time is unpredictable.
Once you reach the counter, the transaction itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will fill out Form DL 101, the employee will verify your documents, you will pay the fee, and they will take your photo. Your new license will be printed and issued the same day.
The fee and what type of license you receive
The fee for a name change on your driver's license is the same as the fee for a standard license renewal in Illinois. As of 2024, that fee is $30 for a four-year license or $60 for an eight-year license. The fee may change, so confirm the current amount when you call ahead or arrive at the facility.
You will receive a new physical license card with your updated name printed on it. If your current license is not yet expired, you can choose to keep it as a secondary form of ID (though it will show your old name), or you can discard it. The new license will have the same expiration date as your old one would have had if you had not changed your name — the name change does not extend or shorten your license validity.
Name changes through marriage versus court order
If you changed your name through marriage, the process is the same but the document is different. Bring your certified marriage certificate. You do not need a court order. The marriage certificate must be certified (issued by the county clerk with an official seal), not a photocopy or a certified copy you printed from an online vital records database.
If you changed your name through divorce, bring the certified divorce decree. The decree must show your new name clearly. If the decree does not specify a name change but you took back a former name, you may need a separate court order from the judge who handled the divorce. Contact the court clerk in the county where your divorce was finalized to ask whether you need an additional order.
If you changed your name through a legal petition (not marriage or divorce), bring the certified court order issued by the judge. This order must be from an Illinois court. If you changed your name in another state, you may need to file a petition in an Illinois court to have the name change recognized in Illinois, though many Secretary of State offices will accept out-of-state court orders. Call your local Secretary of State facility ahead of time to ask whether they will accept your specific document.
What happens if your documents are not certified
If you arrive with a photocopy, an uncertified copy, or a document without an official seal, the Secretary of State employee will not process your name change. You will need to leave, obtain a certified copy from the court or vital records office, and return. This adds days or weeks to the process.
To get a certified copy, contact the court clerk in the county where your name change was finalized (for court orders or divorces) or the county clerk in the county where you were married (for marriage certificates). You can usually request a certified copy by phone, mail, or in person, and the fee is typically $5 to $15 per copy. Some counties offer expedited service for an additional fee. Order at least two certified copies so you have a backup if one is lost or damaged.
After you receive your new license
Once you have your new license with your updated name, you should update your name with other agencies and organizations. Notify your employer, your bank, your insurance company, and the Social Security Administration. You do not have to do this when ready, but updating your records reduces confusion and makes it easier to prove your identity in the future.
Keep your old license in a safe place for at least a few years. Some organizations may ask to see both your old and new license to verify the name change, especially if you are updating financial accounts or legal documents. You do not need to destroy your old license, but you should not use it as your primary form of ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my license if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes, if you have a valid Illinois driver's license and a certified document showing your legal name change, you can update your name. The Secretary of State does not require citizenship to change a name on a license. Bring the same documents as any other applicant.
What if I lost my certified copy of my marriage certificate or court order?
Contact the county clerk in the county where you were married (for marriage certificates) or the county where your case was filed (for court orders). Request a certified copy by phone, mail, or in person. Most counties charge $5 to $15 per copy and can mail it to you within one to two weeks. Some offer faster service for an extra fee.
Do I have to change my name on my license if I got married?
No, changing your name on your license is optional. You can keep your maiden name or any other name you prefer. If you do want to change it, bring your certified marriage certificate to a Secretary of State facility.
Can I change my name by mail or online?
No, Illinois requires you to appear in person at a Secretary of State driver services facility. You cannot change your name on your license by mail, online, or through any other method.
How long does it take to get my new license after I explore?
Your new license is printed and issued the same day you explore, as long as your documents are in order. You will leave the facility with your new license in hand. There is no waiting period for mail delivery.