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

To change the name on your driver's license, you visit your state's DMV with proof that your name has legally changed — usually a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree. The DMV will issue you a new license with your updated name. The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes at the counter, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

You do not need to pass a new written test or driving test. The DMV treats a name change as a record correction, not a license renewal. However, you will pay a fee for the new license, which ranges from $15 to $50 depending on your state.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring the original or certified copy of the document that proves your name change — a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree.
  • You will also need your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
  • Some states let you change your name by mail or online if you are renewing at the same time; check your state DMV website first.
  • The new license arrives by mail within one to three weeks in most states, and you can drive on your old license until it arrives.

Documents you must bring to the DMV

The primary document is proof of your legal name change. This means one of the following: a certified court order from a judge, an original or certified marriage certificate, a certified divorce decree, or an adoption decree. A photocopy is not enough — the DMV needs the original or a certified copy stamped by the court or vital records office.

You also need your current driver's license, your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number (a tax return, W-2, or Social Security statement works), and proof of your current address. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will work for the address.

If you changed your name through marriage or divorce, bring the original or certified marriage certificate or divorce decree. If you changed your name by court order, bring the certified court order. Some states also accept a certified copy of a name change petition and the judge's order together.

How to find your state DMV and check what it requires

Each state runs its own DMV with slightly different rules. Go to your state's DMV website — search "[your state] DMV name change" — and look for a page titled "Change Your Name" or "Update Your License Information." This page will list exactly what documents your state accepts and whether you can do it by mail or online.

Some states, like California and Texas, let you change your name by mail if you are also renewing your license. Others require you to appear in person. A few states let you start the process online and finish it at a local office. The state website will tell you which route applies to you.

If you cannot find the information online, call your state DMV's customer service line. The number is on the website. Have your driver's license number ready when you call.

What happens when you go to the DMV

Arrive with all your documents and your current driver's license. Check in at the front desk and tell the staff member you are changing your name. You will be given a number and asked to wait. When your number is called, go to the counter.

The DMV staff will look at your documents, verify that your name change is legal, and take a new photo if your state requires it. They will ask you to sign a form confirming the change. You will pay the fee — usually $15 to $50 — and receive a receipt. The receipt is proof that you have a valid license while you wait for the new one to arrive by mail.

You can drive on your old license until the new one arrives. Do not destroy the old license; keep it in case there is a question about your identity during the transition.

When your new license will arrive

Most states mail the new license within one to three weeks. Some states take up to four weeks. You will receive it at the address you provided at the DMV. If you do not receive it within the timeframe your state gave you, call the DMV and give them your receipt number.

Once the new license arrives, destroy the old one or keep it in a safe place. You do not need to return it to the DMV. Your new license is valid when ready upon arrival and has the same expiration date as your old license would have had.

Changing your name by mail or online

Some states let you change your name without visiting an office. California, for example, lets you change your name by mail if you are renewing your license at the same time. Texas lets you do it online if you meet certain conditions. Check your state DMV website to see if this option is available to you.

If your state offers mail-in or online name changes, the website will have a form you can read or fill out electronically. You will mail or upload your documents along with the form. The process takes longer — usually four to six weeks — but you avoid the trip to the DMV.

What to do if your name change document is from another state

If you got married, divorced, or had a court order in a different state than where you now live, you can still change your license name. Bring the certified document from the other state to your current state's DMV. The DMV will accept it as long as it is an official certified copy with the court's seal or the vital records office's stamp.

Some states ask for an apostille — a special certification that proves the document is authentic — if it comes from another country. If you changed your name outside the United States, ask your state DMV whether you need an apostille before you go in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my name with Social Security before I go to the DMV?

No. You can change your name at the DMV first, then update Social Security afterward. However, some people do it the other way around. Either order works. If you change your name at Social Security first, bring the Social Security card with your new name to the DMV.

What if I lost my marriage certificate or divorce decree?

Contact the vital records office or court clerk in the county where you were married or divorced. They can issue you a certified copy. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $10 to $30. You need the certified copy — a photocopy will not work at the DMV.

Can I change my name on my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Most states will still change your name even if you have unpaid tickets or fines. However, some states may hold up the process until the matter is resolved. Call your state DMV to ask whether your specific situation will cause a delay.

Will my license number change when I change my name?

In most states, your license number stays the same. Your new license will have the same number but with your updated name. A few states issue a new number; your state DMV website will tell you which applies to you.

What if the DMV says my name change document is not valid?

Ask the staff member which part of the document does not meet the state's requirements. If it is a certified copy issue, go back to the court or vital records office and request a certified copy with the official seal. If the document itself is the problem, you may need to contact a lawyer or your state's vital records office for guidance.