How to change your name on your Illinois driver's license
To change the name on your Illinois driver's license, you submit a Corrected/Duplicate Driver's License process (Form DL 612) to the Illinois Secretary of State, along with a certified copy of the document that proves your name change — typically a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You can submit by mail or in person at a Driver Services facility. The Secretary of State will issue a new license with your updated name, and you'll keep the same license number and expiration date as your current license.
The process takes about two to four weeks by mail. If you go in person, you can walk out with a temporary license the same day, though the permanent card arrives later. You do not need to pass a new written test or vision screening unless your current license is expired or expiring within 30 days.
Key Takeaways
- You need Form DL 612 and a certified copy of your name-change document — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order from a judge.
- Mail your process to the Secretary of State's Driver Services division, or visit a Driver Services facility in person to submit it when ready.
- By mail, expect two to four weeks; in person, you receive a temporary license the same day and the permanent card by mail later.
- Your license number and expiration date stay the same — you are not renewing, only correcting the name.
- If your license expires within 30 days of your name-change request, you will need to renew it at the same time.
What document proves your name change
The Secretary of State requires an official, certified copy of the document that legally changed your name. A photocopy or uncertified version will not be accepted. The most common documents are a certified marriage certificate (if you took your spouse's name), a certified divorce decree (if you changed your name back or to a different name as part of the divorce), or a court order (if a judge approved your name change through a formal petition).
If you were married or divorced in Illinois, you can order a certified copy from the county clerk's office in the county where the event occurred. If it happened out of state, contact that state's vital records office. The certified copy must show the official seal and the clerk's signature. Do not send your original document — send only the certified copy, as you will not get it back.
How to get Form DL 612
Form DL 612, the Corrected/Duplicate Driver's License process, is available on the Illinois Secretary of State website under "Forms." You can print it at home or pick one up at any Driver Services facility. The form is short — it asks for your current license number, your new name, your date of birth, and your signature.
Fill it out completely and sign it in front of a notary public or a Driver Services employee. If you mail it, you can have it notarized before you send it, or you can wait and have it notarized at the facility when you arrive in person. Either way works, but notarizing it before you mail it speeds up processing.
Mailing your process to the Secretary of State
Send your completed Form DL 612, your certified name-change document, and a copy of your current driver's license to the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services division. The mailing address is on the form itself. Include a check or money order for the fee — as of now, a corrected license costs $5, though you should confirm the current fee on the Secretary of State website before you mail, as fees can change.
Mail everything together in one envelope. The Secretary of State processes mail applications in the order they arrive, and processing typically takes two to four weeks. You will receive your new license by mail at the address on file with your current license. If you have moved since you got your current license, update your address first or notify the Secretary of State in a separate letter so the new license goes to the right place.
Submitting your process in person at a Driver Services facility
If you want to avoid waiting, visit any Illinois Driver Services facility with your completed Form DL 612, your certified name-change document, and your current driver's license. Bring a pen and be ready to sign the form in front of the employee. You do not need an appointment at most facilities, but you can check the Secretary of State website to see if your local facility takes walk-ins or requires one.
When you submit in person, you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license with your new name will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. You pay the $5 fee at the counter when you submit. Bring cash, a debit card, or a check — policies vary by facility, so call ahead if you want to confirm what payment methods they take.
What happens if your license expires soon
If your current license expires within 30 days of when you submit your name-change request, the Secretary of State will require you to renew your license at the same time. In that case, you will need to submit a renewal process (Form DL 1) along with Form DL 612, and you will pay both fees — the $5 name-correction fee and the renewal fee, which varies depending on how long your new license is valid for.
If your license expires more than 30 days away, you can change the name without renewing. Your new license will have the same expiration date as your old one. You can renew later when that date approaches.
Updating your address at the same time
If you have moved since you got your current license, you can update your address on the same process. Write your new address on Form DL 612 or tell the Driver Services employee when you submit in person. There is no extra fee to update your address — it is included in the $5 name-correction fee. Your new license will show both your new name and your new address.
If you do not update your address now and you move later, you can change it online through the Secretary of State website, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take a new written test or vision screening?
No, not unless your current license is expired or expiring within 30 days. A name change does not require you to retake any tests. You are straightforward correcting the name on an existing, valid license.
Can I change my name on my license if I don't have a certified copy of my marriage certificate yet?
No, the Secretary of State requires a certified copy before they will process your request. If you were recently married, contact the county clerk's office in the county where you were married and request a certified copy. It usually takes one to two weeks to arrive by mail.
What if I got my name changed by court order but I don't have the original order anymore?
Contact the circuit court clerk's office in the county where the order was issued and request a certified copy of the name-change order. Bring your case number if you have it, or your full name and date of birth so they can look it up.
Will my license number change when I change my name?
No, your license number stays the same. Only your name changes on the card. Your expiration date also stays the same unless your license expires within 30 days of your request.
How long does a temporary license last?
A temporary paper license issued in person is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If it does not arrive within that time, contact Driver Services to check the status.