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DMV Name Change | 2020

DMV Name Change

Trying to figure out the DMV name change process? Changing your name on your driver’s license can be complicated. Which form do you use? What items do you need to bring with you? And, when is the best time to go to the DMV? We’ve spent hours of researching the answers so you don’t have to!

How to Prepare for Your DMV Name Change

Each state has a different form and sequence in which you must file for your DMV name change. Depending on your state of residence, you may need to file to change your name on your Social Security Card before you can change your name at the DMV.

If you have moved, you will need to bring at least two proofs of new residence to the DMV. These include utility bills, pay checks, and insurance bills. It is also important to record your license plate number and VIN number so you have them to complete your form.

Looking to avoid long office lines? The best times to visit the DMV are mid-month and mid-week. Always avoid the DMV at the end of the month or after holidays.

Does name change seem like a hassle?

Wait until you begin the name change process on all of your other state and U.S. federal forms of identification! If you’d like to change your name in a matter of minutes, we can help! Use the MissNowMrs app or online service to streamline the 13 hour hassle into 13 minutes.

Help Me Change My Name

The MissNowMrs experts have created a video with our best tips and tricks for changing your name at the DMV. You can watch it below!

What are your experiences with name change at the DMV or MVA? We’d love for you to share in a comment below!

Driver’s License Name Change

Driver's License Name Change

Your driver’s license is the ID you reach for most, so getting your married name onto it matters. The catch: the DMV is run by each state, so the exact form, fee, and rules differ. This guide walks the general process and the documents to bring, then points you to your state’s specific steps. One rule holds almost everywhere: update Social Security first.

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Cost & Time at a Glance

CostVaries by state (usually a small duplicate-license fee)
TimeOften same day at the counter, or mailed within about 2 weeks
DeadlineVaries by state, often 10 to 30 days after a name change

Update Social Security First

Most state DMVs check your name against Social Security’s records and will not issue a license in your new name until Social Security shows it. So change your name with the Social Security Administration first, wait for the new card (about two weeks), then head to the DMV. Here is our full Social Security name change guide.

The General Driver’s License Name Change Process

Every state runs its own DMV, but the shape of a driver’s license name change is the same:

  • Update Social Security first (above), so the DMV can verify your new name.
  • Find your state’s form. It is usually an application for a duplicate or amended license. Start on your state DMV website, or use our state-by-state name change guides.
  • Go in person. Most states require an in-person visit and a new photo for a name change, even when you can start the application online.
  • Pay the fee and get your new license, often printed the same day or mailed within a couple of weeks.

What to Bring to the DMV

A quick checklist so you only make one trip:

  • Your current driver’s license
  • A certified copy of your marriage certificate (an original or certified copy, not a photocopy)
  • Your new Social Security card, or proof of the Social Security name change
  • Proof of residency, usually two documents (utility bill, pay stub, insurance statement, or lease), especially if you moved
  • The exact fee (some offices are cash-only, so check first)
  • Be ready for a new photo
  • If you own a car, your plate and VIN numbers in case the form asks
Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Upgrading to a REAL ID? Do It in the Same Visit

As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID (the license with a star in the corner) or a passport is required to board domestic flights and enter many federal buildings. If your current license is not REAL ID compliant, bring the extra documents while you are there: proof of identity, your Social Security number, and two proofs of residency. More in our REAL ID and married name change guide.

Deadlines and Cost Vary by State

Some states give you a set window to update your license after a name change, often 10 to 30 days, and fees range widely from a few dollars to around fifty. Because these rules are state-specific, check yours before you go.

Find Your State’s Exact Steps

Ready for the specifics where you live? Our state-by-state name change guides cover each state’s exact form, fee, offices, and deadlines, so you know precisely what to bring. Doing everything at once? The full name change checklist walks you through every ID and account in filing order.

Driver’s License Name Change FAQ

Do I have to change Social Security before my license?

Usually yes. Most DMVs verify your name against Social Security and want to see your new card, so update Social Security first.

Can I change my license online?

Some states let you start online, but most require an in-person visit and a new photo for a name change. Check your state’s DMV site.

How much does it cost?

It varies by state, typically a small duplicate-license fee. Have the exact amount ready, since some offices are cash-only.

Is there a deadline?

Some states require you to update within about 10 to 30 days of a name change. Because it is state-specific, confirm your state’s rule.

Does my license number change?

No. In most states only the name and photo change; your license number stays the same.

Changing your name is one of the happiest kinds of paperwork there is. Update Social Security, gather the documents above, and check your state’s steps, and you will be driving with your new name before you know it.

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

3 Tips for Florida Name Change

Name Change After Marriage Florida

Most Florida newlyweds queue for paperwork the state has already done. Two of the steps that cost money and an afternoon almost everywhere else happen here on their own: the first certified copy of your marriage certificate is mailed to you, and your vehicle record updates itself the moment your license changes. Knowing that up front is worth more than any checklist, so here are the three tips that matter most, and then the whole process in order.

The Three Tips That Save Florida Newlyweds the Most Time

1. Do not order that first certified copy

In most Florida counties the first certified copy of the recorded marriage certificate is included and mailed to you. Hillsborough County states it plainly: there is no charge for the first certified copy, and once the marriage is recorded the copy is mailed to the couple within 7 business days. Broward sends a certified copy to the address on the application. Wait for the post before you pay for anything.

2. Your vehicle record updates itself

Change the name on your driver license and the electronic title updates automatically. There is no second counter to visit for the vehicle record. The printed title is the only thing that lags, and you are allowed to leave it alone.

3. Take the premarital course before the wedding, not after

A registered premarital preparation course cuts the marriage license fee from $86.00 to $61.00 and waives the three day waiting period. That is a decision you can only make before the license is issued, which is why it belongs on a name change page rather than a wedding planning one.

What a Florida Name Change Costs

Cost & Time at a Glance

Cost$25.00 for the replacement driver license or ID card, plus a $6.25 service fee on any credential issued in a tax collector office. Extra certified copies of the marriage certificate run $3 in Hillsborough and Broward and $9 first, $7 each additional in Miami-Dade. Social Security is free. There is no state income tax step at all.
TimeSocial Security first, then 24 to 48 hours before Florida can see the change. One in person visit after that.
Deadline30 days. Florida applies it to both the driver license and the title and registration, which is the part people miss.

Florida is a cheap state for this and a strict one about doing it in person. Once the license is sorted, our name change checklist handles the banks, cards and accounts that no government office will tell you about.

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Step 1: Wait for the Certificate to Arrive

Every later step needs a certified copy of the recorded marriage certificate, and the single most common Florida mistake is paying for one that was already on its way. The license you signed before the ceremony is not the certificate. The certificate is what the Clerk of the Circuit Court records afterwards, and in much of the state the first one is included in what you already paid. Hillsborough County Clerk · Broward County Clerk · our guide to certified marriage certificates

One warning that matters later: several Florida agencies will not accept a plain photocopy. The Board of Nursing and DBPR both require the marriage license to carry the original signature and seal from the Clerk of the Court. Order two or three extra certified copies while you are in the system rather than discovering this at renewal.

Step 2: Social Security, Then Wait 24 to 48 Hours

Florida will not touch your license until Social Security has moved first. FLHSMV is explicit: name changes must first be made with the Social Security Administration, and you should allow 24 to 48 hours after that before applying. The form is SS-5, it is free, and your number never changes. SSA: change your name · our Social Security name change guide

That waiting window is the real constraint on your calendar, not the paperwork. Book the license appointment for two days after the Social Security visit, not the same afternoon. There are 40 Social Security offices in Florida:

OfficeAddressCityZIPPhone
Belle Glade925 Se 1st StreetBelle Glade33430(855) 257-0983
Carrollwood10050 N Florida AveTampa33612(855) 433-5873
Clearwater2340 Drew StreetClearwater33765(888) 397-5325
Cocoa310 Canaveral GrovesCocoa32926(866) 964-0798
Dade City36630 Adair RoadDade City33525(866) 562-1325
Deland1629 S Adelle AveDeland32720(866) 964-7396
East Hillsborough2027 S Parsons AveSeffner33584(866) 593-8721
Fort Myers4220 Executive CircleFort Myers33916(888) 318-9114
Ft Lauderdale East3201 W Commercial BlvdFt Lauderdale33309(877) 253-4720
Ft Lauderdale W8501 W Sunrise BlvdPlantation33322(866) 331-9093
Ft Walton Beach111-B Racetrack Rd NwFort Walton Beach32547(866) 331-2194
Gainesville4562 Nw 13 StreetGainesville32609(877) 219-8323
Jacksonville North1685 Dunn AveJacksonville32218(866) 635-0789
Jacksonville South7185 Bentley RoadJacksonville32256(877) 409-8424
Kissimmee4030 West Vine St.Kissimmee34741(866) 614-4754
Lake City1348 Sw Bascom NorrisLake City32025(877) 600-2859
Lake MarySuite 2001Lake Mary32746(866) 964-7379
Lakeland550 Commerce DrLakeland33813(877) 604-9387
Leesburg900 N 14th StreetLeesburg34748(866) 836-3623
Little Havana3663 Sw 8th StMiami33135(877) 714-0373
Marianna4227 Lafayette StMarianna32446(888) 397-4815
Melbourne1715 W Nasa BlvdMelbourne32901(866) 716-7667
Miami Beach1801 Alton RdMiami Beach33139(877) 714-0374
New Port Richey7601 Little RoadNew Port Richey34654(866) 593-5679
Ocala933 E Silver Spgs BlvdOcala34470(877) 626-9911
Orlando500 N Orange AveOrlando32801(866) 964-6146
Panama City3215 Hwy 77Panama City32405(866) 348-5833
Pensacola411 W Garden StreetPensacola32502(877) 505-4550
Perrine11100 Sw 211th StMiami33189(866) 964-6593
Port Orange4990 S Clyde Morris BlvdPort Orange32127(866) 210-8089
Port St Lucie6810 S Us Hwy 1Port St Lucie34952(866) 366-1627
Pt Charlotte4054 Beaver LnPort Charlotte33952(877) 405-0490
Sebring3700 Commercial DriveSebring33870(877) 405-0415
St Augustine2428 Old Moultrie RoadSt Augustine32086(877) 405-5867
St Petersburg30 Dr Mlk St SSt Petersburg33701(866) 613-3965
Tallahassee2002 Old St AugustineTallahassee32301(866) 248-2088
Tampa7012 W Hillsborough AveTampa33634(866) 331-2317
Vero Beach724 20th StVero Beach32960(866) 964-7414
West Palm Beach801 Clematis StreetWest Palm Beach33401(866) 783-7339
Winter Haven1395 Nw Havendale BlvdWinter Haven33881(877) 457-1739
Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Step 3: The License, In Person, Within 30 Days

Florida gives you 30 days to update the name on your driver license or ID card, and every name change must be done in person at a local office. Address changes can go through the MyDMV Portal online. Name changes cannot. A replacement license or ID costs $25.00, plus the $6.25 service fee that may apply to any credential issued in a tax collector office. FLHSMV: name and address changes · FLHSMV fee schedule · our driver license name change guide

What to bring, and the passport shortcut most people miss

Florida issues REAL ID compliant credentials, so the document list is longer than you expect. From the official what-to-bring list:

  1. Primary identification. An original US birth certificate, valid US passport or passport card, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship. The birth certificate must come from a county health department or the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Hospital birth certificates are not accepted.
  2. Proof of Social Security. Your card showing the current name, or a W-2, pay stub, SSA-1099 or any 1099. Handwritten documents are refused.
  3. Two different proofs of residential address. Not one. Your current license does not count. Utility bills, payment booklets and medical bills must be dated within the last 60 days.
  4. Your certified marriage certificate, which is what links the name on your primary identification to your new name.

The shortcut

FLHSMV puts it in one sentence: if a valid US passport already shows your current name, you are not required to present additional name change documents. If you renewed your passport into your married name first, the marriage certificate stops being necessary at this counter. For everyone else it is the linking document, so bring it.

How the passport name change works · Find a Florida service center

Step 4: The Vehicle Record Has Already Updated

This is the part of Florida that nobody explains, and it saves an entire trip. Updating the name on your driver license automatically updates your electronic title. The department vehicle ownership record is changed the moment your license is. You do not queue twice.

WhatWhat Florida actually doesWhat you do
Electronic titleUpdates automatically when your license name changesNothing. It is done
Printed titleStill shows the previous name until a new one is applied forOptional. Form HSMV 82040 if you want a fresh printed title
RegistrationA new registration must be issued showing the new nameForm HSMV 82101
Title with a lien on itThe lienholder may not allow a new title to be printedLeave it. Florida permits this

FLHSMV states outright that it is permissible to leave the amended name unchanged on the printed title, because the ownership record is already correct. If your car is financed and the lienholder will not release the title, that is not a problem you need to solve. The 30 day clock still covers the registration, so handle form HSMV 82101 while you are at the counter for your license. Questions go to the Customer Service Center on (850) 617-2000.

What Extra Certified Copies Cost by County

The first copy is usually free and mailed to you. Extra copies are priced by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county that issued the license, and the spread is real:

CountyFirst certified copyEach additionalWorth knowing
HillsboroughFree, mailed within 7 business days of recording$3The cheapest large county in the state
BrowardSent to the address on your application$3.00Records from 1915 to 1997 are in person only, at the Marriage Central Courthouse. 1998 onward from any courthouse. Marriage line 954-831-7283
Miami-Dade$9$7Add a $2 per year search fee if you do not know the year. Online ordering covers 1971 to the present. Earlier records by mail or in person

Married outside your home county? It does not matter where you live now. The certificate is held by the county that issued the license, and a Florida license may be applied for in any county and used to marry in any Florida county. Miami-Dade certified copies

The License Fee, the Course Discount and the 60 Day Rule

Decisions that only exist before the wedding

  • A Florida marriage license costs $86.00.
  • Complete a registered premarital preparation course and present the printed certificate to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the fee drops to $61.00 and the waiting period disappears.
  • Without the course, Florida residents wait three days. There is no waiting period for non residents, which is why destination weddings here are simple.
  • Under Fla. Stat. 741.041 a license is valid only for 60 days after issuance, and the clerk must print the final valid date on the license itself. Check that date before you travel.
  • Fees can vary a little by county, so confirm with the clerk you plan to use.

Fla. Stat. 741.041, marriage license valid for 60 days

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Voter Registration

Update the name on your registration at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, or use the same system to prepopulate, print, sign and mail a paper application if you would rather leave a signature on file. The general registration deadline is 29 days before an election, so do it well ahead of any vote you care about. The Voter Assistance Hotline is 1-866-308-6739, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Register to Vote Florida · Division of Elections: update your information

There Is No State Tax Step

Florida has no state personal income tax, so there is no state revenue department to notify and no state tax profile to update. Several states put a whole extra form in front of newlyweds at this point. Florida simply does not have one. Give your employer an updated W-4 so your federal withholding matches your new name at Social Security, and you are finished with tax.

Professional Licenses

Two agencies cover most licensed Floridians, and one of them is dramatically faster if you go online:

Who you areWhere it goesHow long it takes
Nurses and health care practitionersThe MQA Online Services Portal. Upload the marriage license showing the original signature and seal from the Clerk of the CourtWithin 48 hours online. 5 to 7 business days by mail
Real estate, cosmetology, construction, CPAsDBPR, either as an online transaction or on the board form for your profession, such as DBPR RE 10 for real estateMail to 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. Contact Center 850.487.1395

One catch worth planning for: a name change on its own does not produce a new physical nursing license. If you want a card showing your married name you have to request a duplicate license separately. DBPR licenses, by contrast, print free from your online account. Board of Nursing name change form · DBPR online services

Concealed Weapon License

Florida concealed weapon licenses are handled by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, not by law enforcement. Send a written request and a copy of the legal document proving your name change to Division of Licensing, P.O. Box 6387, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6387. A revised license can be printed for $15, by check or money order.

You are not obliged to do it now. FDACS says you may keep your current license until it is time to renew, and send the name change document with the renewal application then. No deadline is published, so this is one you can genuinely defer. FDACS: how to notify us about a name change

Florida in Order

  1. Wait for the certified marriage certificate to arrive in the post. Order extras only if you need them.
  2. Social Security, form SS-5, free.
  3. Wait 24 to 48 hours.
  4. One in person visit for the driver license, $25.00, within 30 days. Bring primary identification, proof of Social Security, two address documents and the certificate.
  5. Your electronic title is now already correct. File HSMV 82101 for the registration.
  6. Voter registration online, professional license through your portal, concealed weapon license whenever you like.

That is the whole state process, and the expensive parts of it are the ones Florida hands you for nothing. The banks, cards, insurers, employer records and airline profiles are where the real hours go, and no government office will remind you about any of them. Our name change checklist covers those, and you can compare how other states handle it if you have moved recently.

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Newlywed in New York: New Requirements at the NY DMV

Newlywed in New York? There is one thing that will forever remain the same –the DMV– with its long wait times and complete chaos at the office! This 3-letter acronym is dreaded among most and is always spoken about with anything, but enthusiasm! However, one thing you can be sure to count on with your DMV, is they constantly update rules, restrictions, and forms, which can cause you more unnecessary stress and aggravation.

Since the DMV is the only office that you must visit in person when changing your name due to marriage, it is important to have all of your ducks in a row before you make the trek to the office!  One trip is bad enough; let’s not have to make a second!  So if you reside in New York, please read on…

Public safety and security has tightened all around us, for obvious reasons. When changing your name it is especially important for you to properly identify yourself and prove that you really are who you say you are. 

Some state’s DMVs have already implemented the 6-point ID requirement system and now New York has decided to implement the same system.

New York 6-Point ID Requirements for Name Change

Before a NY state DMV will issue any photo document (learner permit, driver license, non-driver ID Card) for the first time, or if your document expired more than 2 years ago, you must show the following points of identity:
-Proof of your date of birth
-4 points of proof of name along with your Social Security Card, OR if you are ineligible for a Social Security Card, 6 points of proof of name plus a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration that they (SSA) used to determine that you are ineligible. All proofs of name must show the same name.
-If you already have and can show a valid NY DMV photo document, that is all you need as 6 points of proof of name to get a new or different photo document. However, if  the DMV has no record of your Social Security Number, you will have to show your Social Security Card too.

For more newlywed in New York information, please see the list of acceptable documents to show proof of identity found on the New York DMV website. For more help with your name change, check out our 20 step name change check list!