Name Change in Pennsylvania

If you want to change your name, you can do so at your local DMV. However, if you don't mind paying a small convenience fee, our state-approved partner can save you hours of filing hassles. This is accomplished by automating the process of filling out the numerous forms. Your time is valuable. Learn more below.

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Changing Your Name in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) requires you to notify them when you change your name. You will need to change your name on your PA driver's license, permit, photo ID card, vehicle title, and registration.

You may be required to submit additional documents, such as a court order or Social Security card to prove your name change.

PA Driver's License Name Change

You can change your name on your PA driver's license, permit or photo identification card either by mail or in person. You cannot submit a name change online. If you apply by mail you must include notarized copies of all original documents.

If you are changing your name on a commercial driver's license (CDL) see the “ CDL Name Change in Pennsylvania" section below.

You will need one of the following forms based on what credentials you have:

A completed Non-commercial Driver's License Application to Renew/Replace/Change/Correct (DL-80).
A completed Non-commercial Learner's Permit Application to Renew/Replace/Change/Correct (DL-31)
A completed Non-commercial Photo Identification Application to Renew/Replace/Change/Correct (DL-54B)

You will need to provide information about your legal name change. These include:

Supporting documents (court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.).
- If your name change is to a common law name that is not your birth name, a spouse's name, or a court-ordered name, you'll need:
  - Your Social Security card showing your new name.
  - Two additional documents showing your new name, such as:
    - A voter registration card.
    - Tax records.
    - A passport.
    - A government photo ID.
Payment, if applicable. See the “Fees to Change Your Name in Pennsylvania" section below.

Submit the above:

By mail to the address specified on the application form.
In person at a PA driver license center or a private service provider (on-line messenger service).

NOTE: On-line messenger services are third-party businesses with locations offering PA DMV services. They charge a range of fees in addition to PA DMV fees. Contact your local service center for exact fees.

CDL Name Change in Pennsylvania

You must replace your commercial driver's license (CDL) if you change your name.

If your CDL is valid, complete the Commercial Driver's License Application to Replace/Correct (DL-80CD).
If your CDL expires soon, complete the Application for Renewal of Commercial Driver's License (DL-143CD).

Submit your application form and all other required documents (see the “PA Driver's License Name Change" section above):

By mail to the address specified on the application form.
In person at a PA driver license center or a private service provider (on-line messenger service).

NOTE: On-line messenger services are third-party businesses with locations offering PA DMV services. They charge a range of fees in addition to PA DMV fees. Contact your local service center for exact fees.

Vehicle Title & Registration Name Change

You can change your name on your Pennsylvania title and/or registration by mail or in person. You cannot change your name online.

You will need to complete the Application for Correction or Change of Name (MV-41A) and submit it to PennDOT by:

Mailing it to the address on the form.
Taking it to a PA driver license center or a private service provider (on-line messenger service).

Depending on why your name changed, you will need to provide additional documents (see below).

NOTE: On-line messenger services are third-party businesses with locations offering PA DMV services that charge a range of fees in addition to the PA DMV's fees. Contact your local service center for exact fees.

Marriage or Divorce Name Change

New Registration Card Only

If you are changing your name due to a marriage or divorce, you will need to complete Side A of the Application for Correction or Change of Name (MV-41A) for a new registration card but not a corrected vehicle title.

New Registration Card and Vehicle Title

If you want both a new Pennsylvania registration and corrected vehicle title, you will need:

To complete Side B of the Application for Correction or Change of Name (MV-41A).
Your original certificate of title. If you do not have your original title, you will also need to complete either the:
- Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title by Owner (MV-38O) for a duplicate title, if you own the car.
  OR
- Application for Duplicate Title or to Record, Renew, or Remove a Lien, or to Correct Lien Information by Lienholder (MV-38L) for a duplicate, if you have a lien on the car.
Payment for the duplicate title fee. See the “Fees to Change Your Name in Pennsylvania" section below.

Separation, Court Order, or Common Law Name Change

If you are changing your name due to separation, court order, or common law, you will need:

To complete Side B of the Application for Correction or Change of Name (Form MV-41A).
A copy of the notice to resume your previous surname, if you are separating from your spouse.
- Be sure it includes the caption and docket number of the divorce proceeding and a date stamp from the court.
A certified copy of your court order, if you changed your name due to a court order.
Your Social Security card showing your new name and additional documents (if you are using a common law name), such as your:
- Voter registration card.
- Tax records.
- Passport.
  - The full list of accepted documents can be found on the form.
Your original certificate of title. If you do not have your original title, you will also need to complete either the:
- Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title by Owner (Form MV-38O) for a duplicate title, if you own the car.
  OR
- Application for Duplicate Title or to Record, Renew, or Remove a Lien, or to Correct Lien Information by Lienholder (Form MV-38L) for a duplicate, if you have a lien on the car.
Payment for the duplicate title fee, if applicable. See the “Fees to Change Your Name in Pennsylvania" section below.

You will receive both a new registration card AND a corrected certificate of title.

Fees to Change Your Name in Pennsylvania

It will cost you the following fees to change your name on your PennDOT documents:

Replacement driver's license: $37.50.
Replacement photo identification card: $5.
Replacement learner's permit: $5.
Commercial driver's license (CDL): $37.50.
Registration card: Free.
Vehicle title: $58.

NOTE: Online messenger services are third-party businesses with locations offering DMV services. They charge a range of fees in addition to DMV fees. Contact your local service center for exact fees.

Gender Change on PennDOT Documents

To change your gender on your driver's license, you will need to visit a PennDOT driver's license center in person. You will need to complete a Request for Gender Change on Driver's License/Identification Card (Form DL-32). This form must also be completed by your physician, therapist, or social worker.

For more information, visit our Renewing Your License in Pennsylvania or Renewing Your CDL in Pennsylvania page.

Changing Your Address in Pennsylvania

If you need to change your address, see the Changing Your Address in Pennsylvania page for information about changing your address on your driver's license, ID card, vehicle title, and vehicle registration.

Forms

DL-54B: Photo Identification Card Application for Change/Correction/Replacement/Renew; Application to change, replace, OR renew a Pennsylvania identification card.

DL-32: Request for Gender Change on Drivers License/Identification Card; Submit this form to PennDOT if you'd like to request a gender change on your PA driver's license OR identification card.

DL-143CD: Renewal of a Commercial Drivers License; Submit this form to the PA Department of Transportation to renew your CDL.

DL-31: Non-Commercial Learners Permit Application to Add/Extend/Replace/Change/Correct Form; Application to extend, replace, OR change a Pennsylvania learner's permit.

DL-80: Non-Commercial Drivers License/ID/Learners Permit Application to Renew/Replace/Change/Correct; Application to change OR replace your Pennsylvania driver's license.

MV-38L: Application for Duplicate Title or to Record, Renew, Remove a Lien, or to Correct Lien Information by Lienholder; Form used to request a duplicate PA title OR add, renew, correct, or remove a lien.

MV-41A: Application for Correction or Change of Name; Submit this form to request a name change on your PA vehicle title.

DL-80CD: Commercial Drivers License Application to Duplicate/Correct; Form used to request a duplicate OR corrected PA commercial driver's license.

MV-38O: Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title by Owner; Use this form to request a duplicate PA certificate of title for your car.