What You Need to Do to Change Your Name on Your Tennessee License
To change your name on your Tennessee driver's license, you must first have a legal name change document on file with the state, then visit a Driver Services Center in person with that document and your current license. Tennessee does not process name changes by mail or online — you must appear in person. The process itself takes about 15 minutes at the counter, but getting the legal name change document in place beforehand is what takes time.
You cannot straightforward show up with a marriage certificate or court order and expect the DMV to update your license that day. Tennessee's system requires that your name change be recorded in the state's vital records or court system first, and the Driver Services Center staff will verify it before issuing a new license. If your legal name change document is not yet in the system, you will be turned away.
Key Takeaways
- You must obtain a legal name change document — either a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — before visiting a Driver Services Center.
- Tennessee requires you to appear in person at a Driver Services Center with your current license and legal name change document; no mail-in or online name changes are available.
- A new license with your updated name costs the same as a standard renewal and is valid for the same period as your current license.
- If you changed your name through marriage or divorce, allow time for the vital records office or court to process and file your document before scheduling your DMV visit.
How to Get a Legal Name Change Document in Tennessee
The type of document you need depends on how your name changed. If you married, you need a certified marriage certificate from the county clerk in the county where you were married. If you divorced and took back a former name, you need a certified copy of your divorce decree showing the name change. If you changed your name by court order for any other reason, you need a certified court order from the court that issued it.
For a marriage certificate, contact the vital records office in the county where you married. You can request it by mail, phone, or in person. Most counties charge $15 to $25 for a certified copy and take 1 to 2 weeks to mail it. For a divorce decree, contact the clerk of the court that handled your divorce — this is usually the circuit court in the county where the divorce was filed. Court orders obtained through a name-change petition follow the same process: you request a certified copy from the court clerk.
Do not bring an uncertified photocopy or a document without an official seal. Tennessee Driver Services will reject it. The document must show the official court or vital records seal and signature.
What to Bring to the Driver Services Center
Bring these items in person to any Driver Services Center:
- Your current Tennessee driver's license
- Your certified legal name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order)
- Proof of Tennessee residency dated within 30 days (utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government mail)
- Your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number
If your legal name change document is from another state — for example, you were married in another state — bring the certified copy from that state's vital records office. Tennessee will accept it as long as it is certified and shows the official seal.
You do not need to bring your old Social Security card or explore for a new one at the DMV. However, you should explore for a new Social Security card with your updated name after your license is issued, because your license and Social Security records should match for employment and banking purposes.
Where to Go and How Long It Takes
Visit any Driver Services Center operated by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. You can find the nearest location and hours on the TDSH website. Most centers are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. Call ahead or check online to confirm hours before you go.
The actual transaction at the counter takes about 15 minutes. However, wait times vary by location and time of day. Urban centers and locations near the end of the month tend to be busier. If you want to avoid a long wait, go early in the morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
Your new license will be issued the same day. You will receive a temporary paper license at the counter, and your permanent plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The temporary license is valid for driving when ready.
The Cost and License Validity Period
A name change on your Tennessee driver's license costs the same as a standard license renewal: $27 for an eight-year license if you are under 65, or $13.50 for a four-year license if you are 65 or older. You pay this fee at the counter when you submit your documents.
Your new license will be valid for the same period as your old one would have been. If your current license expires in 2027, your new license with the updated name will also expire in 2027. You are not charged extra, and the expiration date does not reset.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not assume your name change is automatically recorded in Tennessee's system just because you received a marriage certificate or divorce decree. Vital records offices and courts process documents at different speeds. Call the vital records office or court clerk a few days before your planned DMV visit to confirm your document has been filed and is searchable in their system.
Do not bring an original certified document and then lose it — bring a copy if you have one, or ask the Driver Services Center staff whether they will return your original after they verify it. Some centers keep the original on file; others return it. Ask before you hand it over.
Do not schedule your DMV visit before your legal name change document is actually in hand. Many people request a marriage certificate or court order and assume it will arrive by a certain date, then show up at the DMV only to find out the document is still in the mail. Confirm you have the physical document before you book your appointment.
If Your Name Change Was in Another State
If you legally changed your name in another state and now live in Tennessee, you can still update your Tennessee license. Bring your current Tennessee license, your certified name change document from the other state, and proof of Tennessee residency. The process is the same as for a name change within Tennessee.
If you moved to Tennessee after your name change but have not yet updated your Tennessee license, do so as soon as possible. A license with a name that does not match your legal records can cause problems with employment, banking, and travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my license if I do not have a certified copy of my marriage certificate yet?
No. You must have the certified document in hand before you visit the Driver Services Center. If your marriage certificate is still being processed, wait until it arrives. Bringing an uncertified copy or a temporary receipt will not work.
What if I changed my name by court order but lost the original document?
Contact the court clerk in the county where the order was issued and request a new certified copy. This usually costs $10 to $25 and takes 1 to 2 weeks. You cannot proceed with your license update until you have it.
Do I have to renew my license at the same time I change my name?
No. A name change is separate from a renewal. Your license expiration date stays the same. You only pay the name-change fee, not a renewal fee.
Will my temporary paper license have my new name on it?
Yes. The temporary license issued at the counter will show your updated name and is valid for driving when ready while you wait for your permanent plastic license to arrive by mail.
What if the Driver Services Center says my legal name change document is not in the system?
Call the vital records office or court clerk that issued the document and ask them to verify it has been filed. There may be a delay in their system. Once they confirm it is filed, return to the Driver Services Center and try again, or ask the staff to check a second time.