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 process takes about 20 to 30 minutes at the office, and you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot while your new plastic card is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

The key difference between a Texas name change and most other states is that Texas requires you to have already completed a legal name change through the court system before you can update your driver's license. You cannot change your name at the DPS office itself — the office only updates their records to match what the court has already approved.

Key Takeaways

  • You must obtain a court order for your legal name change before visiting the DPS office; the driver's license office cannot process the name change without it.
  • Bring your current driver's license, the certified court order showing your new name, and one additional form of ID to the DPS office.
  • You must appear in person at a DPS driver license office; no mail-in or online option exists for name changes in Texas.
  • You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your new plastic license card within 7 to 10 business days by mail.

Getting a court order for your legal name change

Before you can change your driver's license, you need a certified court order from a Texas district court approving your name change. This is a separate legal process from updating your license. You can file for a name change in the district court in the county where you live. The process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from filing to final order, depending on the court's schedule.

To start, you will file a petition for name change with the district court clerk's office in your county. The petition costs between $200 and $400 in filing fees, depending on your county. You will need to state your current name, the name you want, and your reason for the change (though Texas does not require you to have a specific reason). After you file, the court will schedule a hearing, usually 4 to 6 weeks out. You must attend the hearing in person. If the judge approves your petition, you will receive a certified copy of the court order — this is the document you bring to the DPS office.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask the court to waive it by filing a request for fee waiver at the same time you file your petition. Courts evaluate these requests based on your income and expenses.

Documents to bring to the DPS office

Bring these three things to your local DPS driver license office: your current Texas driver's license, a certified copy of your court order showing your new name, and one additional form of government-issued ID. The certified copy is important — a photocopy or uncertified copy will not work. You can get certified copies from the district court clerk's office that issued the order, usually for $5 to $10 per copy.

The additional ID can be a passport, military ID, state ID card, or another government-issued document with your photo. If you have already changed your name on other documents (such as a Social Security card or birth certificate), you can bring those instead of a second government ID, though the DPS office prefers a photo ID.

Do not bring originals of documents you cannot replace. The DPS office will not keep your court order, but it is wise to bring two certified copies — one for the DPS office and one to keep for your records.

Finding and visiting a DPS driver license office

Locate your nearest DPS driver license office on the Texas DPS website at dps.texas.gov. You can search by city or zip code. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. Call ahead or check online to confirm hours, as they vary by location.

You do not need an appointment at most Texas DPS offices, but some locations now use an online appointment system. Check your local office's page to see if appointments are recommended or required. If you walk in without an appointment, expect to wait 30 minutes to an hour during busy times, particularly mid-morning and mid-week.

Bring all documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost or damaged. The DPS staff will scan your court order and your ID, update your record in their system, and issue you a temporary paper license on the spot.

What happens after you submit your documents

Once the DPS office processes your name change, you will receive a temporary paper license when ready. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and works anywhere a regular driver's license is accepted. Your new plastic license card will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. If you have moved recently, update your address at the DPS office before you leave, or your new card will go to your old address.

If your new card does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 to check the status. Keep your temporary paper license until the plastic card arrives. Once the new card arrives, the temporary license is no longer valid.

Changing your name on other documents after your driver's license

Your driver's license is often the easiest document to update, but you will also need to change your name on your Social Security card, birth certificate, and any other important documents. Start with your Social Security card because many other agencies ask for it as proof of your legal name change.

To change your Social Security card, visit your local Social Security office with your certified court order, your new driver's license (once it arrives), and your current Social Security card. You can also mail these documents to the Social Security office, though in-person is faster. The new card usually arrives within 2 weeks.

For your birth certificate, contact the Texas Vital Statistics Unit (part of the Texas Department of State Health Services) with your court order. You can request a new birth certificate by mail or in person. The cost is $20 to $30, and processing takes 2 to 4 weeks by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my driver's license without going to court first?

No. Texas requires a court order before the DPS office will change your name on your license. You cannot change your name directly at the DPS office. The court order is the legal proof that your name change is valid.

What if I lost my certified copy of the court order?

Contact the district court clerk's office in the county where your name change was approved and request a new certified copy. There is usually a small fee ($5 to $10). The clerk can mail it to you or you can pick it up in person. This typically takes 3 to 5 business days.

Do I need to change my name on my license if I got married or divorced?

If you married or divorced, you have two options. You can file a petition for legal name change in district court (the process described above), or you can use your marriage certificate or divorce decree directly at the DPS office instead of a court order. Bring the certified marriage certificate or final divorce decree along with your current license and ID. This is faster than going through the full court process.

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

The DPS office charges $16 for a replacement license. The court filing fee for a name change petition is $200 to $400 depending on your county. Certified copies of your court order cost $5 to $10 each. The total cost is typically $230 to $430, not counting any attorney fees if you hire one to help with the court process.

Can I use my temporary paper license to fly or cross the border?

A temporary paper Texas driver's license is not accepted for air travel or border crossing. You must wait for your new plastic license card to arrive before you can use it for these purposes. If you need to travel before your card arrives, you can use your passport instead.