About Changing Your Name on Your Michigan Registration

You may change the name on a car registration in Michigan whenever your legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, adoption, court order or any other major life event. While the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) does not require you to update this information within a specific amount of time, you may choose to submit your request as soon as your legal name changes.

Before you change car registration information, you must correct your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA), apply for a corrected Social Security card and update the information on your Michigan driver’s license or identification card.

After completing these steps, you may update your vehicle records as well. To learn more about the steps for changing your name on your registration and other credentials, review the sections below.

Your Michigan Name Change Checklist

Before changing your name on car registration credentials, you must notify the SSA of your new name and apply for an updated Social Security card. When changing your name with the SSA, you must present certified proof of the name change and evidence of your identity and legal presence with the correct identity documents.

After notifying the SSA of your new name, you must visit an SOS office near you to change the name on your Michigan driver’s license or identification card. For information on updating your name on your registration, download our free guide.

During your visit, you must present your current driver’s license or ID card and certified proof of the name change (such as a court order or marriage license). You must also pay a fee to correct the information on your driver’s license and obtain a replacement car registration.

When applying for a DMV name change in Michigan, you may choose to renew your driver’s license early if your credentials will expire within the next few months. If you do not renew your license during your visit, you must remember to do so before it expires.

Applying for a Name Change on Car Registration in Michigan

To change the name on car registration and titling credentials after updating your Social Security card and Michigan driver’s license, you and any other registered vehicle owners must visit a local SOS office to submit your request in person.

During your visit, you must present proof of identification and your updated Michigan driver’s license or legal name change document. You must also present the vehicle’s current title certificate and registration card.

When changing name on vehicle registration and title documents, you may also need to submit a signed Appointment of Agent form if all registered owners cannot appear in person at the SOS office. However, any vehicle owner who cannot appear in person must provide a photocopy of his or her Michigan driver’s license or ID card.

While there is no fee to correct the name on your registration card, you must pay a fee to change the name on your vehicle’s certificate of title. If you have questions about these DMV name change fees, download our comprehensive registration name change guide.

Do you need to change name on Michigan vehicle registration credentials?

The SOS does not require you to change auto registration and titling information after changing your legal name due to marriage, divorce, adoption, court order or any other reason.

However, just as with a registration address change,  the SOS encourages you to complete this process so that your driver and vehicle records match. If you do not update the information on your registration and titling credentials after your legal name changes, you will not be subject to any penalty fees.