How to Change Your Name on a Texas Driver's License

What you need to do to change your name on your Texas driver's license

To change your name on your Texas driver's license, you must visit a 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 20 minutes at the office, and your new license arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

The key requirement is that you must have a court order or other legal document showing your name change before you go. DPS will not process a name change based on a marriage certificate alone, even though marriage is a legal name change — you need the specific document that proves the change happened.

Key Takeaways

You must visit a DPS office in person with your current license and proof of your legal name change.
A marriage certificate counts as proof of a name change through marriage, but a divorce decree or court order is required for other name changes.
Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your updated Social Security number, because DPS verifies the name change with Social Security Administration records.
The new license is mailed to you and typically arrives within two to three weeks; you can use your current license until the new one arrives.

What documents to bring to the DPS office

Bring your current Texas driver's license, your proof of name change, and your Social Security card or a document showing your updated Social Security number. The proof of name change depends on why your name changed.

If you changed your name through marriage, bring your original or certified marriage certificate. If you changed your name through divorce, bring your original or certified divorce decree showing your new name. If you changed your name through a court order (legal name change), bring the certified court order. DPS will not accept photocopies of these documents — they must be originals or certified copies.

You will also need a document showing your current address if it is different from the address on your license. A utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works for this.

Finding a DPS office near you and what to expect

Search for DPS driver license offices on the Texas Department of Public Safety website. Enter your city or zip code to find the nearest office and its hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, and some have limited Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment — offices work on a first-come, first-served basis, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

When you arrive, take a number and wait to be called. Tell the clerk you are changing your name on your license. The clerk will review your documents, take a new photo, and collect a fee. As of 2024, a standard five-year license costs $33, and an eight-year license costs $48. You will receive a receipt showing your new license number and the mailing address where it will be sent.

What happens after you submit your documents

DPS sends your information to the Social Security Administration to verify that your name change is recorded in their system. This verification usually takes three to five business days. Once verified, DPS prints your new license and mails it to the address you provided at the office.

Your new license typically arrives within two to three weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods. You can continue using your current license until the new one arrives. If more than three weeks pass and you have not received your license, contact the DPS office where you applied to check the status.

Name changes through marriage or divorce

If you changed your name through marriage, your marriage certificate is your proof of name change. You do not need a separate court order. Bring the original or a certified copy issued by the county clerk in the county where you were married.

If you changed your name through divorce, the name change must be shown on your divorce decree. Some divorce decrees explicitly state your new name; others do not. If your decree does not show a name change, you will need a separate court order from the district court in the county where your divorce was finalized. Contact the district clerk's office in that county to request one.

Name changes through a court order

If you are changing your name through a legal name change petition (not marriage or divorce), you must first obtain a court order from a district court. This is a separate legal process from changing your driver's license. You file a petition in the district court of the county where you live, and a judge issues an order approving the name change.

Once you have the court order, bring it to a DPS office along with your other documents. The court order is your proof of the legal name change. If you do not yet have a court order, you cannot change your driver's license name until the court process is complete.

What to do if your documents are not accepted

DPS may reject your documents if they are not originals or certified copies, if the name change is not clearly shown, or if the document is from outside Texas and cannot be verified. If this happens, ask the clerk what specific issue they found and what document would be accepted instead.

For marriage certificates or divorce decrees from outside Texas, contact the vital records office or district clerk in the state or county where the document was issued and request a certified copy. For court orders, contact the district clerk in the county where the order was issued. These offices can mail certified copies to you, though there is usually a fee of $5 to $20.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my license if I do not have a certified copy of my marriage certificate?

No. DPS requires an original or certified copy. Contact the county clerk in the county where you were married and request a certified copy. Most county clerks can mail one to you within one to two weeks for a fee of $5 to $15.

What if my Social Security card still shows my old name?

You should update your Social Security record first. Contact Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office with your proof of name change. Once Social Security updates your record, go to DPS with your updated Social Security card or a letter from Social Security showing the change.

Do I need to renew my license to change my name, or can I just change the name?

You can change your name without renewing your license. DPS will issue a new license with your new name and the same expiration date as your current license. You only pay the name change fee, not a renewal fee.

What if I changed my name years ago but never updated my license?

You can still update it now. Bring your current license and your proof of the original name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). DPS will process it the same way as a recent name change.

Can someone else go to the DPS office for me to change my name?

No. You must appear in person with a valid photo ID. DPS requires you to be present for the new photo and to sign the process.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.