Change Name On Driver s License Ca
How to Change Your Name on Your California Driver's License
If you have recently changed your name, you'll need to update your California driver's license to reflect the change. There are a few different ways to go about changing your name on your license, depending on the type of name change and the type of license you hold. Read on to learn more about the name change process for California driver's licenses.
Types of Name Changes
The first step in changing your name on your driver's license is determining the type of name change you are making. In California, there are two types of name changes:
- Legal name change: This type of name change is made by court order for a name change, marriage, divorce, or adoption.
- Preferred name change: This type of name change is made to reflect your preferred name, not your legal name. This type of name change does not require a court order.
Driver's License Name Change Process
Once you have determined the type of name change you are making, you'll need to follow the appropriate process to update your driver's license. For a legal name change, you will need to provide proof of the court order of the name change. For a preferred name change, you will need to provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship or legal presence.
Steps for Legal Name Change
If you are making a legal name change, here are the steps you will need to take to update your driver's license:
- Obtain a certified copy of the court order for the name change.
- Visit a California Department of Motor Vehicles office with the required documents.
- Complete the application for a duplicate driver's license.
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Wait for your updated driver's license to arrive in the mail.
Steps for Preferred Name Change
If you are making a preferred name change, here are the steps you will need to take to update your driver's license:
- Gather the required documents.
- Visit a California Department of Motor Vehicles office with the required documents.
- Complete the application for a duplicate driver's license.
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Wait for your updated driver's license to arrive in the mail.
Keep in mind that you may need to update other documents and accounts after changing your name. For example, you may need to update your Social Security card, bank accounts, credit cards, and other official documents. It is important to make sure all of your documents are updated with your new name to avoid issues in the future.
