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 Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license 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 DPS will issue you a new license with your updated name, and you can choose whether to keep your current license number or receive a new one.
The process itself is straightforward, but the documents you bring matter. You cannot straightforward tell the DPS your new name — you must show them legal proof that your name has officially changed. What counts as proof depends on why your name changed.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS driver license office in person with your current license and legal proof of your name change.
- Acceptable proof includes a court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or certified birth certificate, depending on your situation.
- Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your updated Social Security number, since the DPS verifies the name change with Social Security Administration records.
- The new license is issued the same day you visit, though processing times can vary by location.
- You will pay a fee for the replacement license, which varies depending on how long your current license is valid.
Documents that prove your legal name change
The document you bring depends on the reason your name changed. If you were married, bring your marriage certificate — an original or certified copy. If you were divorced and took back a former name, bring your divorce decree or final decree of divorce showing the name change. If you changed your name through a court order (sometimes called a petition for name change), bring that court order — an original or certified copy.
If your name changed because of a recent birth certificate correction or amendment, bring your certified birth certificate showing the corrected name. The certificate must be certified by the vital records office that issued it, not a photocopy. If you were born outside Texas, the birth certificate must be certified by the state or country where you were born.
All documents must be originals or certified copies. The DPS will not accept photocopies, faxes, or documents you printed from an online database. If you do not have a certified copy, you can request one from the court that issued the order, the county clerk's office, or the vital records office in the state where you were born.
What to bring to the DPS office
Bring your current Texas driver's license, your legal name change document (original or certified copy), and proof of your Social Security number. Proof of your Social Security number can be your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a pay stub, or a Social Security Administration letter showing your number and name.
The DPS will verify your name change against Social Security Administration records. If your Social Security number has not yet been updated to reflect your new name, the DPS may ask you to update it first before they can issue your new license. You can update your Social Security record by visiting your local Social Security office or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Bring your current address if it has changed since your license was issued. If you have moved, bring a document showing your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
How to find a DPS driver license office near you
Visit the Texas DPS website at dps.texas.gov and use their office locator tool. Search by city or zip code to find the nearest office. The website shows each office's hours, address, and phone number. Some offices are busier than others, so calling ahead to ask about wait times can help you plan your visit.
Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to schedule an appointment online or by phone. Check the office's page on the DPS website to see whether appointments are required or recommended. If you cannot visit during regular business hours, some offices offer evening or Saturday hours — the website will show which ones.
What happens when you visit the office
When you arrive, you will check in and wait to be called. Tell the staff member that you are changing your name on your license. They will review your documents, verify that your name change is legal, and check your Social Security record. This verification usually takes a few minutes.
You will then have your photo taken for the new license (unless your current license photo is recent enough to reuse, which varies by office). You can choose to keep your current license number or receive a new one — most people keep the same number. You will pay the replacement fee and receive your new license the same day.
The new license will show your updated name, your chosen license number, and your current address. Your old license becomes invalid once you receive the new one, though you do not need to destroy it.
Fees and how long your new license lasts
The fee for a replacement license depends on how long your current license is valid. If your license expires within one year, the replacement fee is lower than if it expires in five or six years. The DPS website lists current fees, which change occasionally. When you receive your new license, it will have the same expiration date as your old one unless you also renew it at the same time.
If you want to renew your license while you are there changing your name, you can do that in one visit. The combined fee will be higher than a replacement alone, but you will not have to return to the office again until your new expiration date.
If you cannot visit an office in person
Texas does not offer remote or mail-in name changes on driver's licenses. You must visit a DPS office. If you have a disability or medical condition that makes travel difficult, call the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 to ask whether they can accommodate you or direct you to an office with accessibility services.
If you live outside Texas temporarily, you can still change your name on your Texas license by visiting any DPS office in the state. You do not have to visit the office in your home county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change my name with Social Security before I go to the DPS?
Not necessarily, but if your Social Security record still shows your old name, the DPS may ask you to update it first. It is faster to update Social Security before your DPS visit. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office with your legal name change document and photo ID.
Can I change my name on my license if I do not have a court order?
Yes, if your name changed through marriage, divorce, or birth certificate correction. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or certified birth certificate all count as legal proof. Only a court-ordered name change requires a court order.
What if my name change document is from another state?
It must be an original or certified copy, and it must be certified by the court or vital records office that issued it. The DPS will accept name change documents from any state or country as long as they are certified and show your name change clearly.
How long does it take to get the new license?
You receive your new license the same day you visit the office. There is no waiting period. If you need a replacement license mailed to you for any reason, the DPS can do that, but standard service is to receive it in person at the office.
What if I lost my legal name change document?
You will need to get a certified copy before you can visit the DPS. Contact the court that issued the order, the county clerk's office, or the vital records office in the state where the document was issued. They can provide a certified copy for a fee, usually between $10 and $25.