About Changing Your Name on Your Minnesota Registration

You must change name on car registration in Minnesota whenever your legal name changes due to marriage, divorce or any other major life event. However, you do not need to make this change immediately. In fact, you may wait to change your car registration until you complete your yearly registration renewal rather than submit your request immediately after your legal name changes.

Keep in mind that Minnesota law requires you to correct the name on your driver’s license within 30 days of legally changing your name. To do so, you must visit a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office to submit your request in person.

When making your DMV name change, you must submit your current Minnesota driver’s license and certified proof of your name change, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree. To learn more about the steps you must take to correct the information on your credentials, download our free registration guide.

Your Minnesota Name Change Checklist

Before changing the name on car registration credentials, you must notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of your name change. Then, you need to correct the information on your Minnesota driver’s license or identification card. You cannot correct the information on your DMV records until you change your name with the SSA.

To correct the name on SSA records, you must apply for a new Social Security card. Then, you must forward the application to the SSA, along with proof of identity and evidence of your name change. After completing this process, you must visit a DVS office to correct your name on DVS records.

Performing a Name Change on Car Registration in Minnesota

To change name on car registration credentials after you correct the information on your Social Security card and Minnesota driver’s license, visit a local Deputy Registrar office in person. During your office visit, you must present legal proof of your name change, such as a certified marriage record, divorce decree, court order, etc.

Moreover, you may wait until your next vehicle registration renewal period to complete this process, as state law does not require you to update the name on your registration credentials immediately after your legal name changes.

If you need to update your name during your annual renewal period, however, you cannot renew your tabs online or by mail.

Get access to helpful links and name change instructions in our free guide.