You need to visit a Georgia DDS office with a court order or certified vital record showing your legal name change
Georgia does not let you change the name on your driver's license by mail or online. You must appear in person at a Department of Driver Services (DDS) office with proof that your name has legally changed. The state accepts a court order from a name-change proceeding, a certified marriage certificate, a certified divorce decree, or a certified birth certificate showing a different name than what is currently on your license.
The process itself is straightforward once you have the right document, but the document you need depends on why your name changed. A marriage uses one path, a court-ordered name change uses another, and a divorce uses a third. Each requires a different piece of paper, and that paper must be a certified copy — a photocopy will not work.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring a certified copy of the document proving your name change — a court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or birth certificate — to a DDS office in person.
- Marriage name changes require a certified marriage certificate from the county clerk where you were married; divorce name changes require a certified divorce decree from the court that issued it.
- Court-ordered name changes require the certified order from the court where you filed the petition, not a copy from a third party.
- You will need to pay a fee to renew your license with the new name, which varies depending on how long your current license is valid.
- Processing takes a few minutes if you have all documents; your new license arrives by mail within one to two weeks.
What documents you need for each type of name change
If you changed your name through marriage, bring a certified marriage certificate. This must come from the county clerk's office in the county where you were married, not a photocopy or a document from your wedding. Call the clerk's office or visit their website to order it; most charge between $10 and $25 and mail it within a few business days. Some counties let you pick it up in person the same day.
If you changed your name through divorce, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree showing your new name. This comes from the court that issued the divorce, usually the superior court in the county where the divorce was filed. Contact the clerk of that court to order it. The cost varies by county but is typically $10 to $30.
If you changed your name through a court petition (a formal name-change proceeding), bring the certified order from the court where you filed. This is not the same as a petition you filed yourself — it is the order the judge signed. If you have the original, bring it. If you need a copy, contact the clerk of the court that issued it.
If your name on your birth certificate differs from your current license and you want to match it, bring a certified copy of your birth certificate from the state vital records office where you were born, not from a hospital or third-party service.
Steps to change your name at a DDS office
First, locate a DDS office near you. Georgia has offices in most counties; you can find the full list and hours on the DDS website. Call ahead if you want to confirm they are open, as some offices have limited hours or occasional closures.
Bring your certified name-change document, your current driver's license, and proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, a W-2, or a tax return). You will also need proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If your address has not changed, a recent piece of mail to your current address works.
At the office, tell the clerk you want to renew your license with a name change. They will verify your documents, take a new photo, and collect the renewal fee. The fee depends on how long your current license is valid: if it expires within one year, you pay a shorter renewal fee; if it expires in two to eight years, you pay the full renewal fee. As of 2024, the standard renewal fee is $32 for an eight-year license, but confirm the current amount when you visit.
You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your new plastic license arrives by mail within one to two weeks. The temporary license is valid for driving until the new one arrives.
Getting certified copies of your name-change documents
A certified copy is an official document stamped and signed by the issuing office. It is not the same as a photocopy or a document you print from a website. Most offices charge a small fee per copy and mail them within a few business days, though some offer same-day pickup.
For a marriage certificate, contact the county clerk in the county where you were married. You can usually order online, by phone, or in person. Georgia's county clerk directory is available through the Secretary of State's office website.
For a divorce decree, contact the superior court clerk in the county where the divorce was filed. You will need the case number if you have it, but the clerk can search by your name and your ex-spouse's name.
For a birth certificate, contact the Georgia Vital Records office in Atlanta or order online through their website. Out-of-state birth certificates come from the vital records office in the state where you were born.
For a court name-change order, contact the clerk of the court that issued it. If you filed the petition yourself, you should have received a copy when the judge signed the order; if you have lost it, the clerk can issue a certified copy.
What happens if you cannot find your original name-change document
If you have lost the document proving your name change, you can request a certified copy from the office that issued it. This takes longer than bringing an original but is still straightforward. Contact the relevant office — the county clerk for a marriage certificate, the court clerk for a divorce decree or name-change order, or the vital records office for a birth certificate — and explain that you need a replacement. They will search their records and mail you a certified copy.
If you cannot locate the office or do not know which county issued the document, start with the county where you currently live or the county where the event occurred. County clerks can often point you to the right office if you call with basic details.
Do not bring an uncertified copy or a photocopy to the DDS office. The clerk will reject it and send you back to get a certified version. It is faster to order the certified copy upfront than to make a second trip.
Changing your name if you have an out-of-state license
If your current driver's license is from another state, you must first get a Georgia license before you can change the name on it. You will need to surrender your out-of-state license and pass a vision test. Bring your name-change document along with your out-of-state license, proof of residency in Georgia, and proof of your Social Security number. The DDS office will issue you a Georgia license with your new name in one visit.
Some states allow name changes on an out-of-state license without a new license process, but Georgia does not. A name change in Georgia always requires a new license, whether you are changing from an old Georgia license or switching from another state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my Georgia license if I changed it informally, like going by a different name without a court order?
No. Georgia requires a legal document proving the name change — a court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or birth certificate. Going by a different name socially does not change your legal name for driver's license purposes. You must have a certified document from a government office.
How long does it take to get a new license after I submit the name change?
You receive a temporary paper license at the DDS office that is valid when ready. Your new plastic license arrives by mail within one to two weeks. If it takes longer, contact the DDS office where you applied and provide your temporary license number.
Do I need to change my name with the Social Security Administration before I change it on my Georgia license?
No. You can change your name on your Georgia license first, then update Social Security afterward. However, some people find it easier to update Social Security first so they have a consistent record. Either order works, but you will need proof of your Social Security number when you visit the DDS office.
What if my certified name-change document is from another state?
Georgia accepts certified documents from other states — a marriage certificate from another state, a divorce decree from another state, or a name-change order from another state court. Bring the certified copy to the DDS office along with your current license and proof of residency in Georgia.
Can I change my name on my license by mail or online?
No. Georgia requires you to appear in person at a DDS office with your certified name-change document and current license. There is no mail-in or online option for name changes.