What you need to do to change your name on your Texas driver's license
To change your name on your Texas driver's license, you must visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) 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 DPS will issue you a new license with your updated name, and you can choose to keep your current license number or receive a new one.
The process itself is straightforward, but the documents you bring matter. You need to prove that your name change is legal — whether through a court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other official document — and you need your current driver's license. Processing usually takes a few minutes at the counter, though you may wait in line depending on the office location and time of day.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS office in person with your current license and proof of your legal name change — no online or mail options exist.
- Acceptable proof includes a court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or certified name change document from another state.
- Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, as DPS will verify it matches your records.
- The new license is issued the same day in most cases, though you may wait 30 to 45 minutes depending on office traffic.
- You will pay a renewal fee (currently $33 for a five-year license or $66 for an eight-year license) even though you are not renewing yet.
Documents you must bring to the DPS office
Bring your current Texas driver's license and the original or certified copy of the document that proves your name change. If you changed your name through marriage, bring your marriage certificate. If through divorce, bring your divorce decree showing your new name. If through a court order, bring the signed order from the district court.
You also need to bring proof of your Social Security number. A Social Security card works, but so does a W-2, tax return, or bank statement with your Social Security number printed on it. DPS will not accept a screenshot or photocopy of your Social Security card — it must be the original card or a document issued by another government agency.
Bring a document showing your current address if it differs from the address on your license. A utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will work. If your address on the license is current, you do not need this.
How to find a DPS office near you and what to expect
Visit the Texas DPS website and use the office locator tool to find the nearest driver's license office. Enter your city or zip code, and the tool will show you all nearby locations, their hours, and whether they accept walk-ins or require an appointment. Some offices operate by appointment only, while others take walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call ahead or check the office's page before you go. Many offices have posted wait times online, and some let you reserve a time slot through the DPS website. If you walk in without an appointment at an office that takes walk-ins, arrive early in the day — wait times are typically shortest before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Bring all your documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost. The DPS staff will take your current license, scan your new documents, take a new photo, and print your new license at the counter. The entire process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes once you reach the window.
The fee and what happens to your old license
You will pay a fee to receive your new license, even though you are not renewing it early. The current fee is $33 for a five-year license or $66 for an eight-year license. You can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card at the office. Some offices may accept checks, but call ahead to confirm.
The DPS will keep your old license when you receive your new one. You do not need to do anything with it — the office will destroy it. Your new license will have a new expiration date based on the type of license you choose (five or eight years from the date of issue).
If you want to keep your current license number, tell the staff member at the window. Texas allows this, and it takes no extra time. If you do not request it, you will receive a new license number.
Name changes through marriage, divorce, or court order
If you changed your name through marriage, your marriage certificate is your proof. It must be an original or certified copy issued by the county clerk where you were married. A photocopy will not work. If you were married outside Texas, bring the certified copy from that state's vital records office.
If you changed your name through divorce, your divorce decree must show your new name clearly. Some divorce decrees list the name change in a separate section; others include it in the main order. Either way, bring the original or certified copy. If your decree does not mention a name change but you took back a former name, you will need a separate court order from the district court confirming the change.
If you obtained a court order specifically for a name change (not through marriage or divorce), bring the signed order from the Texas district court. This order must be a certified copy or the original. The order must show the judge's signature and the court's seal.
What to do if your documents are from another state
If you were married, divorced, or obtained a name change order in another state, you can still change your Texas license. Bring the certified copy of the document from that state's vital records office or court. DPS will accept it as long as it is certified and shows your name change clearly.
If you do not have a certified copy, contact the vital records office or court in the state where the event occurred and request one. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $10 to $25. Some states allow you to order certified copies online; others require you to mail in a form. Check the state's vital records website for instructions.
Do not bring a photocopy or uncertified copy. DPS staff will turn you away, and you will have to return once you have the certified document. It is worth the wait to get the right document the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my license if I have not gone to court?
No. Texas requires legal proof of a name change. Marriage, divorce, or a court order are the only ways DPS will recognize a name change. If you want to change your name but have not gone through any of these, you must file for a name change in district court first, get the signed order, and then bring it to DPS.
What if my marriage certificate or divorce decree does not have my new name spelled the way I want it?
Your license must match the name on your legal document exactly. If your marriage certificate spells your name one way and you want it spelled differently, you will need a court order to change it. You cannot ask DPS to spell it differently than what appears on your certified document.
Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?
It depends on the office. Check the DPS website for your local office's policy. Some offices take walk-ins all day; others require appointments. If your office requires appointments, you can usually book one online or by phone. Walk-in offices typically have shorter wait times early in the morning.
How long will my new license take to arrive if I order it by mail?
You cannot order a license by mail for a name change. You must go to a DPS office in person. Your new license is printed and issued the same day at the counter.
What if I lost my current 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 proof of identity (passport, state ID, or birth certificate). DPS will issue you a new license with your updated name in one visit.