What you need to do to change your last name on your Texas driver's license
To change your last 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 itself is straightforward — you fill out an process, show your documents, and pay a fee — but the documents you bring depend on why your name changed.
The most common reasons for a name change are marriage, divorce, or a court order. Each has different paperwork requirements. If you changed your name through marriage or divorce, you will need the document that proves it. If you went through a legal name change in court, you will need the court order. Without the right document, the DPS office will turn you away and you will have to return another day.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS driver license office in person with your current license and proof of your legal name change.
- Marriage requires a certified marriage certificate; divorce requires a certified divorce decree showing your new name; court-ordered name changes require the court order itself.
- The fee for a name change on your license is the same as renewing your license, which varies by license type and validity period.
- Bring your Social Security card or other proof of your Social Security number, because the DPS will verify it against federal records.
- Your new license will arrive by mail within two weeks in most cases, and you can request a temporary paper license to use while you wait.
Documents you need for each type of name change
If you changed your name through marriage, bring your certified marriage certificate. This is not the same as the marriage announcement or the copy you received at the ceremony. You need the official certified copy issued by the county clerk in the county where you were married. You can order this from that county's vital records office if you do not have it.
If you changed your name through divorce, bring your certified divorce decree. The decree must show your new name — some older decrees do not. If your decree does not list your new name, you will need a separate court order confirming the name change. Contact the district court in the county where your divorce was finalized to ask how to get one.
If you changed your name through a court order (not marriage or divorce), bring the certified court order from the district court that issued it. This is the document the judge signed. If you lost your copy, contact the district court clerk in the county where the order was issued and request a certified copy.
What to bring to the DPS office
Bring your current Texas driver's license, your legal name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of your Social Security number. For proof of your Social Security number, the DPS accepts your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security statement from ssa.gov. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a document that shows your name and Social Security number, such as a bank statement or tax return.
You will also need to bring one form of identification that shows your current legal name if it differs from your driver's license. This can be a passport, a birth certificate, or another state's ID. The DPS uses this to confirm that the name on your license and the name on your legal document match the person standing in front of them.
Bring your Social Security card or other proof even if you have not changed your Social Security number yet. The DPS will verify your number against federal records, and if there is a mismatch, they will not issue your new license until you update your Social Security record. You can update your Social Security name at your local Social Security office or online at ssa.gov if you have created a my Social Security account.
How to find a DPS driver license office and schedule an appointment
You can find the DPS driver license office nearest you on the Texas DPS website at dps.texas.gov. Click "Driver License" and then "Office Locations." The site shows hours, address, and phone number for every office in the state. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. Call ahead to confirm the office is open on the day you plan to visit.
You do not have to schedule an appointment for a name change, but you can. Many offices now use an online appointment system on the DPS website. If you schedule an appointment, you will wait less time. If you walk in without an appointment, you may wait an hour or more, especially at busy offices in large cities. Either way, arrive early in the day if possible — offices tend to be less crowded in the morning.
The fee and how long the process takes
The fee for a name change on your driver's license depends on how long your new license will be valid. A standard five-year license costs one amount; an eight-year license (available to drivers 36 and older) costs more. The DPS website lists current fees under "Driver License Fees." You can pay by cash, check, or card at the office.
After you submit your process and documents, the DPS will mail your new license to the address on file. This usually takes one to two weeks, though it can take longer if the office is processing a large volume of applications. You can request a temporary paper license at the office, which you can use to drive while you wait for your new license to arrive. The paper license is valid for 45 days.
What happens if your legal name change document is not certified
The DPS requires a certified copy of your name change document, not a photocopy or a document you printed from an online court database. A certified copy has an official seal or stamp from the issuing agency and is signed by a clerk or official. If you bring an uncertified copy, the office will not accept it and you will have to return with the certified version.
If you have a marriage certificate or divorce decree from another state, you can use it as long as it is certified. The DPS recognizes name changes from any U.S. state or territory. If you have a court order from another state, call the DPS office before you visit to confirm they will accept it, because some offices have specific requirements for out-of-state documents.
Changing your name on other documents after your driver's license
Your driver's license is one of many documents you will need to update after a legal name change. You should also update your Social Security record, passport, vehicle registration, and insurance documents. The order matters: update your Social Security record first, because many other agencies will ask for your Social Security number to confirm your identity during the name change process.
Your vehicle registration can be updated at any Texas Department of Motor Vehicles office or online through the Texas DMV website if you renew your registration. Your insurance company can update your policy by phone or online. Your bank and credit card companies can update your accounts by calling them or visiting in person. Keep copies of your new driver's license to show to these organizations as proof of your name change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my driver's license if I have not updated my Social Security record yet?
You can start the process, but the DPS will not issue your new license until your Social Security record matches. If there is a mismatch, the office will tell you to update your Social Security name first, then return with proof. You can update your Social Security name at your local Social Security office or online at ssa.gov if you have a my Social Security account.
What if I lost my marriage certificate or divorce decree?
Contact the county clerk in the county where you were married or divorced. You can usually order a certified copy by mail, phone, or online. The clerk will charge a fee, typically between $10 and $30. Ask how long it takes to receive the copy — some counties mail them within a week, others take longer.
Do I need to renew my license to change my name, or can I just update the name?
You do not have to renew your license to change your name. You pay only the name change fee, not a full renewal fee. However, if your license is expiring soon, you may want to renew it at the same time to avoid a second trip to the DPS office.
Can I change my name on my driver's license by mail?
No. Texas requires you to visit a DPS driver license office in person. You cannot change your name by mail or online. You must bring your current license and your legal name change document to an office.
What if my driver's license has my old name and my legal documents have my new name, but I have not updated my name everywhere yet?
That is fine. The DPS only cares that your legal name change document is valid and certified. You do not have to update every other document before you change your driver's license. In fact, updating your driver's license first makes it easier to update other documents, because you can show your new license as proof of your name change.