Name Change in California

Change Your Name in California

How to change your name with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV):

• Visit your local DMV office.
• Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application.
• Provide proof of your legal name change.
• Surrender your old driver's license.
• Pay the $37 duplicate license fee.

Continue reading for more details on how to change your name on your Social Security card, CA driver's license or ID card, vehicle registration, and title.

Change Your Name with the SSA

Before you change your name with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, you need to report the change to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

You can change your name with the SSA in person or by mail. You cannot change your name online.

To change your name with the SSA:

• Complete an Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5).
• Provide your legal name change documents, such as your:
  • Marriage certificate.
  • Divorce decree.
  • Court-ordered name change.
• Provide proof of your identity, such as your:
  • U.S. driver's license.
  • U.S. passport.
• Provide proof of your U.S. citizenship, such as your:
  • U.S. birth certificate.
  • Certificate of citizenship.

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

You can submit the above documents in person or by mail to your local SSA 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 (SSN) will not change.

CA Driver's License or ID Name Change

You must change your name on your CA driver license or ID card in person. You will receive an updated card showing your new name.

You must first change your name with the SSA (see the “Change Your Name With the SSA" section above). The CA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will verify your name, birth date, and Social Security number.

Changing your name on your California ID or driver's license will not change your name on your vehicle records. Please see the “CA Vehicle Title/Registration Name Change" section below for instructions on how to change your name on these documents. You must change your title/registration information as soon as you've completed your driver's license/ID card change.

NOTE: If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you'll need to provide additional documents (see below).

Regular Driver's License or ID Card

To change your name on your driver's license or ID, visit your local CA DMV office and:

• Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application.
  • Get the form in person at the DMV, or have it mailed to you by calling (800) 777-0133.
• Provide an original or certified copy of your legal name change document, such as a:
  • Marriage certificate.
  • Divorce document.
  • Court order.
• Give your thumbprint.
• Have your photo taken.
• Surrender your old CA driver's license or ID.
• Pay the fee. (See the “Fees to Change Your Name in CA" section below.)

You should receive your new California driver's license or ID in the mail within 60 days. You will be issued a temporary license or ID card receipt to use until you receive your new card.

Commercial Driver License (CDL)

If you are changing your name on your CA commercial driver's license (CDL), you'll need to visit your local CA DMV office in person and:

• Complete a Commercial Driver License Application.
  • Get the form in person at the DMV office, or have it mailed to you by calling (800) 777-0133.
• Provide a completed 10 Year History Record Check form (DL 939).
• Provide a Medical Certificate Card (MCSA-5876).
• Provide an original or certified copy of your legal name change document, such as a:
  • Marriage certificate.
  • Divorce document.
  • Court order.
• Give your thumbprint.
• Have your photo taken.
• Surrender your old CA CDL.
• Pay the required fee. (See the “Fees to Change Your Name in CA" section below.)

CA Vehicle Title/Registration Name Change

When you've legally changed your name, you'll need to update your vehicle title and registration records either in person or by mail (you cannot change your name online). You will not be issued a replacement vehicle title or registration card unless you apply for one.

Changing your name on CA DMV records is free; however, if you do not have your original vehicle title, you'll need to apply for a duplicate and pay the duplicate title fee.

To change your name, you'll need:

• Your original vehicle title with your new name printed above your old name. If you don't have your original title, you will need:
  • Your CA driver's license/ID card.
    OR
    
  • Your out-of-state driver's license/ID card AND your passport or other ID card (military, government, student or employee).
• A completed Statement of Facts form (REG 256) with the Name Statement in Section F filled out.

If you DO NOT have your original title and need a duplicate showing your new name, you will also need to submit:

• A completed Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title (REG 227).
• Payment for the $28 duplicate title fee.

Take your documents to your local CA DMV office, or mail them to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Vehicle Registration Operations
P.O. Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269

If you want an updated registration card showing your new name, follow the instructions on our Replacing a Lost Registration in California page.

Fees to Change Your Name in CA

It is free to change your name on DMV records in California. You will only need to pay a fee to replace your CA driver's license, ID card, vehicle registration, or certificate of title.

• All driver's licenses: $37.
• ID card (under 62 years old): $40.
• ID card (62 years old and up): Free.
• Reduced fee ID card: $11.
• Certificate of title: $28.

Accepted Payment Methods

For in-person transactions at the CA DMV, you can pay with:

• Cash.
• Check.
• Money order.
• ATM/debit cards.

For by-mail transactions, you must pay by check or money order.

Credit cards are not accepted for in-person or by-mail transactions.

Changing Your Address in California

If you've moved, you must report your address change to the California DMV within 10 days.

For more information on this topic, please see our Changing Your Address in California page.