What you need to do when your name changes

If your legal name has changed — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — you must update your Texas driver's license within 60 days. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will not automatically know about the change, so you have to tell them yourself by visiting a DPS office in person with the right documents.

The process is straightforward: bring proof of your new legal name, your current driver's license, and proof of your Texas residency. DPS will issue you a new license with your updated name. You do not need to retake the written or road test unless your license has expired or you are renewing it anyway.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 60 days from the date your name legally changed to update your Texas driver's license.
  • You must visit a DPS office in person with proof of your new legal name, your current license, and proof of Texas residency.
  • The type of document you need as proof of your name change depends on why your name changed — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
  • A name-change-only update does not require you to retake any tests or pay a renewal fee, though you will receive a new physical license card.

Documents you need to bring

Bring your current Texas driver's license and proof of your Texas address. For proof of address, DPS accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days, or a government document with your name and address on it.

The critical document is proof of your legal name change. What counts depends on why your name changed:

  • Marriage: An original or certified copy of your marriage certificate from the county clerk where you were married.
  • Divorce: An original or certified copy of your divorce decree showing your new name, from the county clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized.
  • Court-ordered name change: An original or certified copy of the court order from the district court that granted the name change.
  • Other legal changes: The original or certified document that shows the name change — for example, an adoption decree or a name change order from immigration proceedings.

Certified copies cost money (usually $5 to $25 per copy depending on the county), so order them ahead of time from the county clerk's office. Photocopies do not work — DPS needs originals or certified copies.

Where to go and what to expect

Find your nearest DPS Driver License office on the Texas DPS website. You can search by city or county. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have limited Saturday hours. Call ahead or check online to confirm the office's hours before you go, because wait times vary widely and some offices close for lunch.

Bring all your documents and your current license. The staff member will review your documents, take a new photo for your license, and collect a fee. For a name change only (not a renewal), the fee is typically $0 to $20, depending on whether your license is still valid. If your license is expiring soon, you may want to renew it at the same time, which costs more but saves you a trip later.

You will receive your new license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Until it arrives, your old license is still valid for identification purposes, so you can continue to use it.

If you are renewing at the same time

If your license is expiring within the next six months, you can renew it and update your name in one visit. This costs more than a name change alone (renewal fees vary by license type and age), but it means you will not have to return to a DPS office again soon.

Bring the same documents — proof of your new legal name, your current license, and proof of residency. Tell the staff member that you want to renew and update your name. They will process both at once, and your new license will reflect your updated name and a new expiration date.

Name changes and your Social Security number

Your Social Security number does not change when your name changes, but Social Security Administration (SSA) needs to know about the name change so their records match your driver's license. You can update your name with SSA online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting a local Social Security office in person.

Update your name with SSA before or after you update your driver's license — there is no required order. However, updating SSA first can make the DPS process smoother because your records will already be aligned. Bring your new driver's license to SSA as proof of your name change, or bring the same documents you used at DPS (your legal name-change document and proof of identity).

What happens if you miss the 60-day important date

If you do not update your license within 60 days of your name change, you are not breaking the law, but your license will show a name that no longer matches your legal identity. This can cause problems when you use your license for identification — banks, employers, airlines, and other organizations may question whether the license is actually yours.

You can update your name at any time after the important date has passed. The process is the same: bring your documents to a DPS office and request a name change. There is no penalty or additional fee for updating late, but it is easier to do it sooner rather than later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update my name by mail or online?

No. Texas DPS requires you to appear in person at a Driver License office to update your name. You cannot do it by mail, online, or by phone. You must bring your original or certified documents and your current license.

What if I lost my marriage certificate or divorce decree?

Contact the county clerk in the county where you were married or divorced. They can issue you a certified copy of the document. This usually takes a few days to a few weeks and costs $5 to $25. You need the certified copy to update your license, so order it before you go to DPS.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card to DPS?

No. DPS does not require your Social Security card to update your name on your driver's license. Bring your current license, proof of your legal name change, and proof of your Texas address. You will update your name with Social Security separately if you want to.

Will I get a new license number when I change my name?

No. Your driver's license number stays the same. Only your name and photo will change on the new card. The number is tied to your driving record, not your name.

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

DPS typically mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days of your visit to the office. Your old license remains valid for identification until the new one arrives, so you can use it in the meantime.