What you need to do to change your name on your Illinois license
To change the name on your Illinois driver's license, you must visit a Secretary of State facility in person with proof of your legal name change and your current license. Illinois does not process name changes by mail or online. The Secretary of State will issue you a new license with your updated name, usually on the same day you explore. You do not need to retake the written or vision test unless your license has expired or is about to expire.
The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes at the facility, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Bring the documents listed below in the order shown, because staff will ask for them in that sequence. If you are missing any required document, the facility will turn you away and you will need to return another day.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Secretary of State facility in person with your current license and proof of your legal name change — no mail-in or online option exists.
- Acceptable proof of name change includes a court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or naturalization certificate, depending on why your name changed.
- Bring your current license, the name-change document, and one form of ID that matches your new name if you have one.
- The new license is usually issued the same day and costs $5 if your current license is still valid.
- If your license has expired or will expire within 30 days, you will need to renew it at the same time, which costs $30 and requires a new photo.
Documents you must bring to the Secretary of State
Bring your current Illinois driver's license and one document that proves your legal name change. The document depends on why your name changed. If you were married, bring your marriage certificate. If you were divorced, bring your divorce decree. If you went through a court-ordered name change, bring the court order. If you became a U.S. citizen, bring your naturalization certificate.
If you have already obtained an ID that shows your new name — such as a passport, Social Security card, or birth certificate — bring that as well. This speeds up the process because staff can verify your new name against an existing government document. If you do not have a second ID in your new name yet, you can still change your license; the name-change document alone is sufficient.
Do not bring originals of documents you cannot replace easily. The Secretary of State will not keep your documents, but handling them increases the risk of loss or damage. If you are concerned, bring certified copies instead of originals.
Finding a Secretary of State facility near you
Illinois has Secretary of State driver services facilities in most counties. Visit cyberdriveillinois.com and use the "Find a Facility" tool to locate the office closest to you. The website shows hours of operation, which vary by location. Some facilities are open Monday through Friday only, while others have Saturday hours.
Call ahead if you can. Many facilities allow you to ask questions about wait times or confirm that staff can process your specific name change that day. Some locations are busier than others — generally, mid-morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday has shorter waits than late afternoon or Friday.
What happens after you submit your documents
Staff will review your current license and your name-change document. They will ask you to confirm your new name and check that it matches the document you brought. They will then take a new photo for your license unless your current photo is recent enough. You will sign the back of your new license.
The new license is printed on-site and issued to you before you leave. You can use it when ready for identification purposes. Your old license is no longer valid once you receive the new one, though you do not need to destroy it.
Cost and what to bring for payment
A name-change-only license costs $5. You can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card at most facilities, though a few locations accept cash only. Check the facility's website or call ahead to confirm payment methods.
If your license has expired or will expire within 30 days of your visit, you must renew it at the same time. A renewal costs $30 and requires a new photo. The combined cost for a name change plus renewal is $35. If your license is valid for more than 30 days, you can change the name only and renew later when your license actually expires.
If your name change was through marriage or divorce
A marriage certificate or divorce decree is the standard proof for a name change through marriage or divorce. The document must be an official certified copy, not a photocopy you made yourself. If you do not have a certified copy, you can request one from the county clerk's office where you were married or divorced before you visit the Secretary of State.
Some people have both a marriage certificate and a divorce decree if they have been married more than once. Bring whichever document reflects your current legal name. If you changed your name through marriage and then again through divorce, bring the divorce decree.
If your name change was through a court order
A court-ordered name change requires a certified copy of the court order from the circuit court that issued it. This is different from a marriage or divorce document — it is a separate legal filing. If you do not have a certified copy, contact the circuit court clerk's office in the county where the order was issued and request one.
Court orders typically include a case number and the judge's signature. The Secretary of State staff will verify that the order is valid and that your current name matches the name on the order. Bring the certified copy, not a photocopy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my license if I do not have a court order or marriage certificate yet?
No. The Secretary of State requires official proof of your legal name change before they will issue a new license. If you are waiting for a certified copy of a document, obtain it first and then visit the facility. You cannot change your name based on a verbal statement or a personal letter.
What if my name change document is from another state?
Illinois accepts name-change documents from any U.S. state or territory. Bring the certified copy of your document to the Secretary of State facility. Staff will verify it and process your name change the same way they would for an Illinois document.
Do I need to change my name with the Social Security Administration before I change my license?
No. You can change your license first or change your Social Security record first — the order does not matter. However, changing your Social Security record first can make the license change slightly faster because you will have an ID that matches your new name.
What if I lost my current license?
You will need to report it lost and request a replacement at the same time you change your name. Bring your name-change document and one form of ID that shows your new name if you have one. The replacement license with your new name costs $5.
How long does the new license take to arrive if I cannot get it the same day?
Illinois issues name-change licenses on-site, so you receive it the same day you visit. If the facility is unable to process your request that day for any reason, staff will tell you before you leave and explain what additional documents you need to bring on your next visit.