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

To change your 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 takes about 30 minutes at the office, and you will receive a new license with your updated name on the same day in most cases.

You cannot straightforward show up with a new name and expect it to be accepted. DPS requires official documentation that proves your name has legally changed. What counts as proof depends on how your name changed — whether through marriage, divorce, court order, or another method.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a DPS office in person with your current license and proof of your legal name change; no online or mail-in option exists.
  • Acceptable proof includes a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or certified birth certificate showing your new name.
  • You will need to complete form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License) at the office and pay a replacement fee, which varies but is typically under $30.
  • Your new license is usually issued the same day, though some offices may mail it within a few business days depending on volume.
  • If your name changed through marriage or divorce, bring the original or certified copy of the marriage certificate or final divorce decree.

Proof of Name Change: What Documents DPS Accepts

Texas DPS will accept different documents depending on how your name legally changed. If you married, bring your original or certified copy of your marriage certificate. If you divorced, bring your final divorce decree showing your new name. If a court ordered your name change for any other reason, bring the certified court order from the district court that issued it.

If your name change appears on a certified birth certificate — for example, if you were born with one name and a court later changed it — that also works. The document must be certified, meaning it has an official seal or stamp from the issuing authority. A photocopy or uncertified version will not be accepted.

Bring the original document or a certified copy. DPS staff will examine it but will not keep it. If you do not have the original, you can request a certified copy from the county clerk's office (for marriage or divorce records) or the Texas Vital Statistics Unit (for birth certificates). This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $20 to $30.

Step-by-Step Process at the DPS Office

First, locate your nearest DPS Driver License office using the office locator on the Texas DPS website. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations now use an online scheduling system. Check your local office's page to see if you should book a time slot.

Bring your current Texas driver's license, your proof of name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and a completed form DL-43. You can fill out the form at home before you go or at the office — staff can help if you need it. Bring your Social Security number or a document showing it, such as a Social Security card or W-2 form.

At the office, tell the clerk you are changing your name. They will verify your proof document, check your current license, and process your process. You will have your photo taken (unless your current license photo is recent enough to reuse, which is rare for name changes). You will pay the replacement fee — typically $16 for a standard license or $32 for a Real ID-compliant license — and you are done.

How Long It Takes and When You Get Your New License

In most Texas DPS offices, you receive your new license the same day you explore. The office prints it on-site while you wait. However, some high-volume offices or locations with equipment issues may mail your license instead, which takes three to five business days.

Before you leave the office, ask the clerk whether your license will be printed when ready or mailed. If it is mailed, you will receive a receipt showing your new address on file and a temporary paper license you can use until the plastic card arrives. Do not drive without either the temporary receipt or your old license while you wait.

Real ID and Name Changes

If your current license is a standard Texas driver's license (not Real ID-compliant), you can keep it that way when you change your name. You will pay $16 for a standard replacement. However, if you want to upgrade to a Real ID-compliant license at the same time, you must bring additional proof of identity and residency. This costs $32 instead of $16.

Real ID is required to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings starting in May 2025. If you are changing your name anyway, upgrading to Real ID at the same time is often simpler than returning to DPS later. The extra documents you need are a Social Security card or W-2, a birth certificate, and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days).

Name Changes After Marriage or Divorce

If you married, your marriage certificate is your proof of name change. Texas recognizes name changes through marriage automatically — you do not need a court order. Bring your original or certified marriage certificate to DPS, and the process is the same as any other name change.

If you divorced and your divorce decree shows your new name (usually your maiden name or another name you chose), that decree is your proof. Some divorce decrees do not explicitly state a name change; they only restore your former name. Either way, bring the final divorce decree. If you are unsure whether your decree covers a name change, contact the district court clerk in the county where you divorced — they can tell you in one call.

What Happens If You Cannot Find Your Proof Document

If you lost your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, you must obtain a certified copy before DPS will change your name on your license. You cannot proceed without it. Contact the county clerk's office in the county where you married or divorced (for marriage and divorce records) or the Texas Vital Statistics Unit in Austin (for birth certificates).

Request a certified copy and explain that you need it for a driver's license name change. Processing usually takes one to two weeks. Some counties offer expedited service for an extra fee. Once you have the certified copy, you can go to DPS and complete your name change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my license if I do not have a marriage certificate or court order yet?

No. DPS requires official proof of your legal name change before they will update your license. If you are waiting for a certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order, you must wait until it arrives. You cannot change your name based on a promise or a pending document.

Do I need to change my name on my Social Security card before I change my driver's license?

No. You can change your driver's license name first. However, Social Security recommends updating your Social Security card within a few months to avoid confusion with tax records and benefits. You will need your new driver's license as proof when you explore for a new Social Security card at your local Social Security office.

What if my divorce decree does not mention a name change?

Some divorce decrees automatically restore your former name without explicitly stating it. Call the district court clerk in the county where you divorced and ask whether your decree covers a name change. Bring the decree itself to DPS; the clerk's confirmation over the phone is not enough, but the decree language may be clear enough for DPS to accept it.

Can I change my name on my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or warrant?

Yes. An outstanding ticket or warrant does not prevent you from renewing or changing your name on your license. However, DPS will flag your record, and you may be contacted by law enforcement. It is better to resolve the ticket or warrant before you go, but it will not stop the name change process itself.

How much does it cost to change my name on my Texas driver's license?

A standard driver's license replacement costs $16. A Real ID-compliant license costs $32. These are the only fees DPS charges. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order first, that costs $20 to $30 depending on the county, but that is paid to the county clerk, not to DPS.