About Changing Your Name on Your Texas Registration

It is important that you change name on car registration in Texas as soon as possible after your legal name changes. This is often due to a marriage, divorce, adoption, court order or any other major life event that results in the change of your name.

To update the information on your vehicle’s registration credentials, you must visit a tax office in the county where you live to submit proof of the legal name change and any other applicable documents.

As you need to present proof of your change of name when updating your vehicle’s registration or title documents, you cannot make this change online or by mail.

Before you change car registration information with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), you must first report the name change to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and obtain a corrected Social Security card. Once you notify the SSA of your new name, you may update the information on your vehicle’s registration and titling credentials.

To learn more about the name change process for your car registration, review the information below.

Texas DMV Name Change Requirements

You must apply for a name change on car registration credentials if your legal name changes and you want to update the information on your vehicle’s registration receipt.

However, you must first change your name with the SSA and update your Texas driver’s license.

Download our free guide for instructions on completing this task.

Once you complete these steps to change the name on your Social Security card and driver’s license, you can update the name on your vehicle’s registration and titling materials. When you change the name on your vehicle’s title certificate, you will automatically update the information on your registration credentials as well.

Performing a Name Change on Car Registration in Texas

To begin the process of changing name on car registration and titling credentials, you must complete an application and submit it along with a written statement that describes the nature of the name change.

Additionally, you must submit proof of the legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.

As part of your TX name change checklist, you must update your driver’s license within 30 days from the date on which your legal name changed due to marriage, divorce or court order.

When you change name on car registration and title credentials, you may choose to add another individual to your vehicle’s title certificate as well, especially if you recently married and wish to add your new spouse to the automobile’s registration records.

However, you will need to complete an assignment of title and apply for a transfer of vehicle title if you do wish to add another individual to your registration records at this time.

After changing name on Texas car registration materials, how do I apply for a duplicate registration?

After you change name on vehicle registration materials, you may want to obtain a replacement registration receipt and title certificate. In Texas, you can obtain a copy of your vehicle’s registration receipt through your county tax office or a TxDMV regional service center.

However, you must pay a fee to obtain copies of your vehicle’s registration and/or title materials.

For more information about the process, download our free vehicle registration guide.