About Changing Your Name on Your Montana Registration

You must remember to change your name on your car registration in Montana whenever your legal name changes after marriage, divorce, adoption or any other major life event. To make this correction to your vehicle registration records, visit your local county treasurer’s office to submit certified proof of the name change.

Before you may change car registration information, however, you must notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of your new name, apply for a replacement Social Security card and correct the name on your Montana driver’s license. Learn more about these requirements in the sections below.

Your Montana DMV Name Change Checklist

Before performing a name change on your car registration credentials, you must update your name with the SSA and obtain a corrected Social Security card. To do so, submit a completed Social Security card application along with certified proof of your name change. In most cases, you can submit your application materials in person or by mail.

After changing your name with the SSA, you must update the information on your Montana driver’s license. To make this DMV name change, visit your local driver’s license exam station with legal documentation of your new name. Depending on the nature of your request, acceptable proof may include a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.

After you update the information on your Montana driver records, you must apply for a replacement driver’s license that displays your new name. During this time, you must also provide payment for the required application fee.

Changing a Name on Car Registration in Montana

You may begin the process of changing your name on your car registration after updating your Social Security card and Montana driver’s license. To do so, visit your local county treasurer’s office to submit certified proof of your name change.

Several examples of an acceptable proof of name change include a marriage certificate or divorce decree. However, you may be able to present other documents depending on your situation.

If you wish to purchase a replacement registration credential that displays your new legal name, you must also provide payment for the required fee.

If you do not change name on vehicle registration credentials immediately after your legal name changes, keep in mind that you will not be able to renew online during your next yearly car registration renewal. If your current legal name is not on file with the Montana Vehicle Services Bureau (VSB) during your renewal period, you must visit your local county treasurer’s office to apply in person.