Drivers must apply for a drivers license name change in Florida and obtain a new driver license or identification card whenever they change their legal name after marriage, divorce or court order. To change name on driving license materials, motorists must provide their local motor vehicle office with proof of legal presence, the current card and proof of the legal name change. Documentation of legal name will vary depending on the reason for the name modification.

Additionally, drivers cannot apply for a DMV name change until they update their name with the Social Security Administration (SSA). For this reason, motorists can only complete a change of name on drivers license documents or identification cards after they change their name with the SSA. To learn more about how to change name on drivers license materials and Social Security cards, review the information below.

Instances Where You Must Change Your Name on Your Florida Drivers License

There are several instances where drivers must apply for a change of name on driving license documents, including marriage, divorce, legal separation, civil union, court order or adoption. In some cases, drivers must apply for an FL driving license name change if they change their name after undergoing a gender change. However, drivers cannot begin the process of changing name on drivers license materials until they update the name on their Social Security cards.

Florida Drivers License Name Change Time Limits

After you change your legal name, you must change the name on your Florida driving license within 30 days of making the name change. However, your DMV name change must match the information on file with the SSA, so you must update your name with the SSA beforehand.

Failure to change your name with the SSA or update your drivers license with a motor vehicle office may result in citations from law enforcement officials, issues with your driving record or delays in receiving drivers license renewal notices. Additionally, failure to apply for a change of name with the SSA may prevent the administration from tracking your earnings and Social Security credits.

How to Change Your Name With the Social Security Administration

Before changing your name on driving license material, you must apply for a name change through the SSA. Once you change your name with the SSA, the administration provides you with a new Social Security card. However, your Social Security Number (SSN) remains the same. To apply for a change of name in FL, you must complete the following steps:

• Complete an application for a Social Security card and mail it to a local Social Security branch or submit the form in person.
• Provide the SSA with the original name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, Certificate of Naturalization or court order.
• Submit proof of identity in the form of a drivers license, U.S. passport or state-issued identification card.

You may apply for a drivers license name change with the state Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) division after you report your name change to the SSA. However, you must wait 24 hours to apply for a DMV name change after updating your name with the SSA.

How to Change Your Name on Your Drivers License in Person

After you apply for a change of name with the SSA, you may modify the name on your record and request a replacement drivers license or identification card. When changing name on driving license materials or identification cards, you must visit a driver license office under the FLHSMV. To expedite the process of changing your name on your FL driving license, you may contact the office ahead of time to schedule an appointment. However, you cannot complete a drivers license name change online or by mail, unless you are a military member and your name changes while out-of-state on active duty.

When you change the name on your driver license, you must provide the driver license office with the following documentation:

• Original or certified proof of the legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order
• Your former drivers license (with your old name)
• Proof of citizenship or legal presence
• Payment for the replacement drivers license

Note: If you are a Canadian citizen who wishes to complete a drivers license name change in Florida, then you must change the name on your passport before changing the name on your drivers license or identification card. If you are an immigrant, then you must change the name on your immigration document before updating your drivers license or ID card.

Online Drivers License Name Changes

Only military members may apply for an online driving license name change after changing the name on their Social Security card. To apply for an online change of name in Florida, military personnel may use the email response form to request a name change through the FLHSMV website.

When requesting a DMV name change, motorists must include a driver license or ID card number, full name, gender, birth date, email address and telephone number.

Florida DMV Name Change Fees

When drivers change the name on a Florida driver license, they must pay for a replacement license or identification card. The $25 fee for requesting a drivers license name change and obtaining a replacement card varies for drivers licenses and identification cards. On the other hand, there is no fee to apply for a new Social Security card.

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