How to Change Your Name on a Texas Driver's License

What You Need to Do to Change Your Name on Your Texas License

To change the 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 process takes about 30 minutes at the office, and you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot while your new plastic card is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

The key requirement is proof that your name change is legal. This means a court order from a divorce, adoption, or legal name change proceeding — or a certified marriage certificate if you are changing your name due to marriage. Without one of these documents, DPS will not process the change.

Key Takeaways

You must visit a DPS office in person with your current license and a court order or certified marriage certificate showing your legal name change.
Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, as DPS will verify it matches your new name.
You will pay a $16 fee for a five-year license or $32 for an eight-year license, and you cannot renew online if you are changing your name at the same time.
Your temporary paper license is valid when ready, but your new plastic card takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail.
If your name change was due to marriage, bring both your current license and your certified marriage certificate; a photocopy is not enough.

Documents You Must Bring to the DPS Office

Bring your current Texas driver's license or ID card. If you do not have one, you will need to bring a passport or other federal ID instead. You also need the legal document proving your name change: a certified copy of your divorce decree, adoption papers, court order for legal name change, or certified marriage certificate. A photocopy or uncertified version will not work — the document must be certified by the court or vital records office that issued it.

You will also need proof of your Social Security number. Bring your Social Security card if you have it. If you do not, bring a W-2 form, tax return, or other document showing your number. DPS verifies that your Social Security number matches your new name before issuing the license. If there is a mismatch, the office will tell you to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) first to update your name there, then return to DPS.

Bring proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If you have moved since your last license was issued, this is required. If your address has not changed, you may not need it, but calling ahead to your local DPS office to confirm what they require is faster than making a second trip.

Finding a DPS Office Near You and What to Expect

Texas has DPS driver license offices in most cities and many smaller towns. You can find the office nearest you on the DPS website by entering your city or ZIP code. Some offices take walk-ins, but many operate by appointment only. Call ahead or check the office's hours online before you go — wait times vary widely, and some offices book up weeks in advance.

When you arrive, tell the clerk you are changing your name. They will ask you to fill out Form DL-43 (process for Texas Driver License). The form takes a few minutes. The clerk will then scan your documents, take a new photo, and collect your fee. The entire process at the window usually takes 10 to 15 minutes once you are called.

Before you leave, the clerk will give you a temporary paper license printed on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and has the same legal weight as your plastic card — you can drive with it, use it as ID, and show it to police. Your new plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within two weeks, contact the DPS office where you applied.

Fees and Payment Methods

A five-year driver's license costs $16. An eight-year license costs $32. These are the standard fees for a name change; DPS does not charge extra for the change itself. You can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card at most offices, though a few smaller offices may accept cash only. Call ahead if you want to confirm payment methods.

If you are also renewing your license at the same time as changing your name, you cannot do both online — you must go to an office in person. The fee covers the new license with your new name; you do not pay twice.

What to Do If Your Social Security Name Does Not Match

If you changed your name legally but have not yet updated it with the Social Security Administration, DPS will catch this during the verification step. The clerk will tell you that your Social Security number does not match your new name and will not issue the license until you fix it.

Contact the SSA to update your name first. You can do this by visiting a local Social Security office with your court order or marriage certificate, or by calling 1-800-772-1213. The SSA usually updates your name within one to two weeks. Once your name is updated with the SSA, return to the DPS office with your documents and complete the license change. You do not need to pay the fee again if you return within a reasonable time — ask the clerk about the office's policy.

Changing Your Name Due to Marriage

If you are changing your name because you married, bring your certified marriage certificate to the DPS office along with your current license. A certified copy means the document has a raised seal or official stamp from the county clerk's office where you were married. A photocopy or a certified copy from an online service is not acceptable.

You do not need a court order for a marriage-based name change — the certified marriage certificate is enough. The process is the same: fill out Form DL-43, pay the fee, get your temporary license, and wait for your new card by mail. If you kept your maiden name on your license after marriage and are changing it now, the certified marriage certificate still works as proof.

Changing Your Name Due to Divorce or Court Order

If you are changing your name because of a divorce, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree. The decree must show your new name clearly. If your divorce was finalized in another state, bring a certified copy from that state's court. Texas will accept it.

If you obtained a legal name change through the courts (not due to marriage or divorce), bring the certified court order granting the name change. This order must come from a Texas district court or from a court in another state if you moved to Texas after the change. The process at the DPS office is the same regardless of why you changed your name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on my license by mail?

No. Texas requires you to appear in person at a DPS office with your documents and current license. You cannot change your name online or by mail under any circumstance.

What if I lost my certified marriage certificate or court order?

Contact the court or vital records office that issued it and request a certified copy. For a marriage certificate, contact the county clerk's office in the county where you were married. For a divorce decree or court order, contact the district court clerk in the county where the case was filed. Certified copies usually cost $10 to $25 and take one to two weeks by mail.

How long does the new license take to arrive?

Your temporary paper license is valid when ready. Your new plastic card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within two weeks, call the DPS office where you applied to report it.

Do I need to change my name with the Social Security Administration before I go to DPS?

You do not have to, but it is easier if you do. If your Social Security name does not match your new name, DPS will not issue the license until you update it with the SSA. Updating the SSA first saves you a second trip to DPS.

What if I changed my name years ago but never updated my license?

Bring your current license and the original court order or marriage certificate from when you changed your name. If the document is very old, bring a certified copy from the court to make sure it is still readable. The DPS office will process it the same way as a recent name change.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.