Name Change in Georgia

Changing Your Name in Georgia

If you've changed your name in Georgia due to marriage, divorce, or other personal reasons, you will need to change your name on your:

  • Social Security card.
  • Georgia driver's license, permit, or ID card.
  • GA vehicle registration and title.

Change Your Name with the SSA

You need to report your name change with the Social Security Administration (SSA) before you change your name on your GA driver's license, ID card, vehicle title, or registration.

You can change your name either in person or by mail. You cannot change your name online.

You will need:

  • A completed Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5).
  • Your legal name change documents, such as your:
    • Marriage certificate.
    • Divorce decree.
    • Court order.
  • Proof of your identity, such as your:
    • U.S. driver's license.
    • U.S. passport.
    • State-issued ID card.
  • Proof of your U.S. citizenship, such as your:
    • U.S. birth certificate.
    • Certificate of citizenship.
    • Certificate of naturalization.

All documents must be originals or certified copies. Visit the website for a complete list of accepted documents.

Mail or take the above documents in person to your local Social Security Administration office. All mailed documents will be sent back to you after your name change has been processed.

The SSA will mail your new Social Security Card. Your Social Security number will not change.


Georgia Driver's License or ID Card Name Change

You must update your name on your GA driver's license or ID card within 60 days of your name change.

If your driver's license or ID expires within the next 150 days, or you are making another name or address change during a term or your license, you will need to renew it in order to change your name. Visit our Renewing Your License and Georgia Identification Cards pages for more information.

If your license isn't set to expire, you must change your name with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) in person at a DDS branch office. You cannot change your name online, by mail, or by phone.

You will need:

  • Completed online application using the GA Skip a Step process. 
  • Your current Georgia driver's license or ID card.
  • Proof of your name change (documents must be in English), such as:
    • Birth certificate.
    • Certified marriage application or license.
    • Adoption papers.
    • Legal name change.
  • Divorce decree.
  • Payment, if applicable.
    • Your first name change during the original term is free, if it is within 150 days of your expiration date. Otherwise, please see “Fees to Change Your Name" below.
    • Any further name changes within the same licensing term will require you to renew your license.
    • For more fee information and accepted payment methods, see the “Fees to Change Your Name in GA" section below.

GA Registration or Title Name Change

Before changing the name on your vehicle registration or title, you must first change your name on your GA driver's license or ID card (see the “GA Driver's License or ID Card Name Change" section above).

To change the address on your Georgia vehicle registration card or title with the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), you can apply by mail or in person at your local GA County Tax Commissioner's office. You cannot change your name online.

By Mail

To change your name on your GA vehicle title or registration certificate by mail, you will need:

  • A completed DOR - Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application (Form MV-1).
  • Your Georgia vehicle title.
    • If a financial institution holds your title, they will need to process the application for you.
  • A certified copy of your GA driver's license or ID.
  • Your certified name change document, such as:
    • Marriage certificate.
    • Court-ordered legal name change.
    • Divorce decree.
  • A note indicating the reason for your requested change.
  • Payment for the $18 title fee. See the “Fees to Change Your Name in GA" for more information.
    • There is no fee for name changes on GA registration certificates

Send the above documents to:

DOR/MVD
P.O. Box 740382
Atlanta, GA 30374

In Person

To change your name on your GA vehicle title or registration certificate in person, visit your local Tax Commissioner's Tag Office and bring your:

  • Georgia vehicle title.
  • GA driver's license or identification card.
  • Certified copy of a court-ordered name change document, such as:
    • Marriage certificate.
    • Court-ordered legal name change.
    • Divorce decree.
  • Payment for the $18 title fee.
    • There is no fee for registration certificate name changes.

Fees to Change Your Name in GA

Driver's License and ID Card

Your first address change with the GA DDS will be free, as long as you submit the request at least 150 days before your card expires. If you're within 150 days of your expiration, you must also pay the renewal fee.

First name change: This one is free.

Subsequent changes: Contact your GA DDS office for other fees that may apply if changing your address or name more than once.

Renewal Fees

A renewed Georgia driver's license (A/BC/E/F/M): $32 for an 8-year license.

A renewed Georgia ID card will cost you: $32 for an 8-year card.

For a complete list of fees, please visit the GA DDS website.

NOTE: The GA DDS will apply a $5 discount to online transactions (if fees apply).

Vehicle Title and Registration

An updated GA vehicle title showing your new name will cost you $18.

There is no charge to change your address on your GA vehicle registration card.

Fees will apply if you are due for a vehicle registration renewal. For specific GA registration renewal information, visit our Registration Renewals in Georgia page.

Accepted Payment Methods

The Georgia DDS accepts the following payment methods when updating your GA driver's license or ID card:

  • In-person transactions:
    • Cash.
    • Money order.
    • Check.
    • VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit/debit card.
  • Online transactions:
    • VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit/debit card.
  • By-mail transactions:
    • Money order, check or cashier's check made payable to “Georgia Department of Driver Services."

Contact yourlocal Georgia DOR Motor Vehicle Division for accepted payment methods when changing your address on your vehicle title and registration.

Changing Your Address in Georgia

If you change your address in Georgia, you must notify the Georgia DDS within 60 days of the change.

For information on how to change your address on your GA driver's license, ID card, vehicle title, or registration, see our GA Changing Your Address page.

Forms

MV-1
Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application
Application to title AND register your car with the Georgia MVD.
SS-5
Application for a Social Security Card
Application for an original, duplicate, OR corrected Social Security card.
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