What you need to do to change your name on your Pennsylvania driver's license
To change the name on your Pennsylvania driver's license, you must first have a legal name change document from a Pennsylvania court, then submit that document along with your current license to PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation). PennDOT does not process name changes based on marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or other documents alone — you need a court order that explicitly authorizes the name change. Once PennDOT receives your process, the process typically takes two to four weeks.
You have two paths: renew your license with the new name at the same time, or change the name on your current license without renewing it yet. The renewal path costs more but gives you a new card with an updated expiration date. The name-change-only path is cheaper but leaves your license's expiration date unchanged.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania requires a court order for a name change — marriage certificates and divorce decrees are not sufficient on their own.
- You can change your name without renewing your license, or renew and change your name at the same time; the choice affects the cost and the expiration date on your new card.
- You must submit your current driver's license along with your court order and process to PennDOT in person or by mail.
- Processing takes two to four weeks after PennDOT receives your complete process.
Getting a court order for your name change
Before you contact PennDOT, you must obtain a legal name change order from a Pennsylvania court. The process varies depending on your reason for the change — marriage, divorce, or a general petition for name change — but all routes require a court order.
If you are changing your name due to marriage, you do not need a separate court order. Instead, bring your marriage certificate to PennDOT along with your current license. If you are changing your name due to divorce, check your divorce decree: some decrees include a name change order, but others do not. If your decree does not explicitly authorize a name change, you will need to file a separate petition in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where you live.
For a general name change (not tied to marriage or divorce), file a petition in the Court of Common Pleas in your county. You will need to pay a filing fee, which varies by county but typically ranges from $50 to $150. The court will schedule a hearing, and you may be required to publish notice of your petition in a local newspaper. Once the judge approves your petition, you will receive a court order — this is the document you bring to PennDOT.
Choosing between name change only and renewal with name change
PennDOT offers two options when you change your name. The first is a name change only, which updates your license to reflect your new name but keeps the same expiration date. This costs $20.50 and is the faster, cheaper route if your license is not expiring soon. The second is to renew your license and change your name at the same time, which costs $30.50 and gives you a new expiration date (typically eight years from the date of renewal for a standard license).
Choose name change only if your current license expires more than a year away and you want to save money. Choose renewal with name change if your license expires within the next year or two, or if you want a fresh expiration date. Keep in mind that if you choose name change only and your license expires before you renew, you will need to renew separately later.
How to submit your process to PennDOT
You can submit your name change process in person at any PennDOT Driver License Center, or by mail to the address listed on the PennDOT website. If you submit by mail, include your current driver's license, your court order (or marriage certificate if applicable), the completed process form (DL-44 for name change only, or DL-80 for renewal with name change), and the appropriate fee.
PennDOT recommends submitting by mail only if you cannot visit a Driver License Center in person, because mail processing takes longer and you lose your current license while it is being processed. If you go in person, you can walk out with a temporary license while your permanent card is being printed. Bring your court order, current license, completed process, and payment method (cash, check, or card — policies vary by location).
Do not send your original court order by mail; PennDOT will make a copy and return it to you. If you are mailing your process, include a photocopy of the court order instead, or ask PennDOT whether they will accept a certified copy.
What happens after you submit your process
Once PennDOT receives your complete process, you will receive a confirmation notice in the mail. Processing takes two to four weeks. During this time, your current license remains valid. When your new license is ready, PennDOT will mail it to the address on file with your process.
If you submitted in person, you received a temporary license that is valid for 30 days while your permanent card is being printed. If your permanent card does not arrive within 30 days, contact the Driver License Center where you applied or call PennDOT's customer service line to check the status.
If PennDOT finds an error or missing information in your process, they will send you a notice asking you to correct it. This can add one to two weeks to the process, so double-check your process before you submit it.
What to do if your court order is from another state
If you obtained your legal name change in a state other than Pennsylvania, PennDOT will still honor it. Bring your out-of-state court order along with your current Pennsylvania driver's license and process. PennDOT may ask for a certified copy of the order, so contact your local Driver License Center before you submit to confirm what form of the order they need.
If you have moved to Pennsylvania since your name change and your driver's license is from another state, you will need to exchange it for a Pennsylvania license anyway. The process is the same: bring your out-of-state license, your court order, and your process to a Driver License Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my license if I only have a marriage certificate?
Yes, if the name change is due to marriage. Bring your marriage certificate along with your current license and process to PennDOT. You do not need a separate court order for a marriage-related name change. If your name change is due to divorce or another reason, you will need a court order.
What if I lost my current driver's license?
You can still change your name, but you will need to report the loss to PennDOT and request a replacement at the same time. Bring your court order, proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), and your process to a Driver License Center. You may pay separate fees for the replacement and the name change.
Do I need to change my name with Social Security before I change it on my license?
No, but it is a good idea to do both. You can change your name with Social Security and PennDOT in either order. However, if you change your name with Social Security first, bring your Social Security card or a letter from Social Security confirming the change when you explore to PennDOT, as it helps verify your identity.
How long does it take to get a court order for a name change?
For a marriage-related name change, you do not need a separate court order — just bring your marriage certificate. For a divorce-related name change, check your divorce decree first; if it includes a name change order, you already have it. For a general petition, the court process typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on your county's court schedule and whether a hearing is required.
Can I change my name online or by phone?
No. PennDOT requires you to submit your process and court order in person or by mail. You cannot complete a name change entirely online or over the phone, though you can call PennDOT to ask questions about the process or check the status of an process you have already submitted.