About Changing Your Name on Your Virginia Registration

You must change name on car registration in Virginia whenever your legal name changes due to any major life event. Depending on the specific situation, you may need to change the name on your Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records after you marry, divorce or obtain a court order for a name change.

Before you change car registration and driver’s license information, however, you must first change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and obtain a replacement Social Security card that displays your new legal name.

To perform a name change on car registration and driver’s license credentials after you notify the SSA of your new legal name, you must visit a local DMV customer service center to submit your request in person. Then, you must present certified proof of the name change before the Virginia DMV will update the information on your driver’s license or identification card.

After updating your driver records, the DMV will automatically update your vehicle registration records as well. To learn more about the requirements for a name change on your registration documents, review the information below.

Your Virginia Name Change Checklist

When changing information on your car registration, such as a change of address, you must notify the Virginia DMV. For a name change, you must first report the change to the the SSA and obtain a corrected Social Security card that displays this new information.

To do so, you must complete an application and submit it to the SSA along with proof of your new legal name. Once the SSA updates your name in its records, you must contact the Virginia DMV to update your driver and vehicle registration records as well.

Download our free guide for instructions on how to complete this task.

To apply for a Virginia DMV name change after updating your information with the SSA, you must visit your local DMV customer service center. Once you present proof of the legal name change, the Virginia DMV will update your vehicle registration records and state-issued driver’s license or identification card.

After making these changes, you must purchase a replacement driver’s license or ID card that displays your new legal name.

Changing a Name on Car Registration in Virginia

When changing your name on your vehicle registration and driver records, you must provide the Virginia DMV with several important documents, including certified proof of your legal name change.

For instance, acceptable proof of the name change may include a certified or original marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order for name change. However, you cannot present photocopies or uncertified copies of these documents. Additionally, you must provide the DMV with proof of your identification, such as a current driver’s license or ID card.

To perform a DMV change of name in Virginia, you must also complete an official application, or begin the application process online. However, to do so, you must provide your date of birth and driver’s license number. Download our free, helpful guide to learn more about the application process.

After filing out your DMV name change application, you must go in person to submit your request. During your visit, you must submit your completed DMV application, or present the confirmation email you received after beginning your application online.

Note: When you apply for DMV name changes in Virginia, you automatically update your driver and vehicle registration records at the same time, eliminating the need to complete these two processes separately.

After the DMV processes your request, you must apply for a replacement driver’s license or identification card that displays your new legal name. However, you do not need to purchase a replacement registration card unless you wish to do so.