Pennsylvania requires you to show a court order or certified vital record before the PennDOT will change your name on your license
You cannot change your name on a Pennsylvania driver's license by straightforward requesting it. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) requires legal proof that your name has changed. This proof takes one of two forms: a court order from a name-change proceeding, or a certified copy of a vital record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, or divorce decree) that shows your new name.
The path you take depends on why your name changed. If you married, divorced, or had a name change recorded on your birth certificate, you use the vital record route. If you changed your name through a legal proceeding in court—sometimes called a petition for name change—you use the court order. Both routes lead to the same outcome: a new license with your updated name.
PennDOT does not process name changes by mail or online. You must visit a PennDOT Driver License Center in person with your proof document and your current license.
Key Takeaways
- PennDOT requires either a court order or a certified vital record (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or amended birth certificate) before changing your name on your license.
- You must visit a Driver License Center in person with your current license and your proof document; name changes cannot be done by mail or online.
- If you are changing your name through a court petition, you must obtain the certified court order from the court that issued it before going to PennDOT.
- The fee for a name change on your license is the same as a standard license renewal, and your new license will have a new expiration date.
Name changes through marriage or divorce
If your name changed because you married or divorced, you need a certified copy of the marriage certificate or divorce decree. A certified copy means the document has an official seal or stamp from the court or vital records office that issued it, and it is signed by an authorized official. A photocopy or a document you printed from an online database does not count.
To get a certified marriage certificate, contact the vital records office in the county where you were married. To get a certified divorce decree, contact the court clerk's office in the county where your divorce was finalized. Both offices charge a fee—usually between $10 and $25 per document—and both can mail the certified copy to you or let you pick it up in person. Processing time varies by county but typically takes one to two weeks.
Bring the certified document to your local Driver License Center along with your current Pennsylvania driver's license. You do not need to bring anything else for a name-change-only update.
Name changes through a court petition
If you filed a petition for name change in court—a legal proceeding separate from marriage or divorce—you must obtain a certified copy of the court order that granted your name change. This order comes from the court clerk's office in the county where you filed the petition.
Contact the clerk's office and ask for a certified copy of the order granting your name change. Provide the case number if you have it, or your full name and the approximate date the order was issued. The clerk will mail or give you the certified copy, usually within one to two weeks. There is a fee, typically $5 to $15.
Once you have the certified court order, bring it to a Driver License Center along with your current license. The order itself is your proof of the name change.
What to bring to the Driver License Center
Bring these documents to your visit:
- Your current Pennsylvania driver's license
- Your certified proof document (court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or amended birth certificate)
- A valid form of identification if your current license is expired or if you want to update other information at the same time
You will also need to bring your Social Security number. Have it memorized or written down; you will provide it when you fill out the process form at the center.
If you are changing your name and your address at the same time, bring proof of your current address—a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If you are only changing your name, address proof is not required.
Finding a Driver License Center and scheduling
PennDOT operates Driver License Centers across Pennsylvania. You can find the center nearest you and check its hours on the PennDOT website (www.dmv.pa.gov). Some centers accept walk-ins; others require an appointment. Check your local center's policy before you go.
If your center requires an appointment, you can book one online through the PennDOT website or by calling the center directly. Appointments typically fill up several weeks in advance, especially in urban areas. If you cannot get an appointment soon, check whether a center in a nearby county has earlier availability.
Processing time at the center is usually 15 to 30 minutes for a name-change-only update. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
Fees and your new license
The fee for a name change on your Pennsylvania driver's license is the same as the fee for a standard license renewal. As of 2024, a four-year license costs $35.50 and an eight-year license costs $70. Fees may change; confirm the current fee at your Driver License Center or on the PennDOT website.
When you change your name, PennDOT issues you a new license with a new expiration date. Your old license becomes invalid. If your current license does not expire for several years, your new license will still have a new expiration date based on when you applied for the change.
PennDOT accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at Driver License Centers. Accepted credit cards include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
What happens if your proof document is from another state
If you were married, divorced, or had a name change recorded in another state, you need a certified copy of that document from the state where it was issued. PennDOT will accept certified vital records and court orders from any U.S. state or territory.
Contact the vital records office or court clerk in the state where the event occurred. Explain that you need a certified copy for a Pennsylvania driver's license update. The process is the same as getting a certified document from a Pennsylvania county, though processing times and fees vary by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my license if my court order or vital record is not certified?
No. PennDOT requires a certified copy with an official seal or stamp. A photocopy, a document printed from an online database, or an uncertified original will not be accepted. Contact the issuing office and request a certified copy.
What if I lost my current driver's license?
You can still change your name, but you will need to report the lost license and get a replacement at the same time. Bring your proof of name change and a valid form of identification. PennDOT will issue a new license with your updated name.
How long does it take to get my new license after I explore?
Your new license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after your visit to the Driver License Center. You can use your old license until the new one arrives, though it will have your old name on it.
Do I need to change my name with Social Security before I change it on my license?
There is no legal requirement to do one before the other, but Social Security recommends updating your name with them first. You can update your Social Security name at your local Social Security office with your certified proof document. Then use that updated Social Security record when you explore for your new license.
Can I change my name on my license if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes, if you have a valid Pennsylvania driver's license and a certified proof document showing your name change. The name-change process is the same regardless of citizenship status. Your immigration status does not affect your ability to update your license.