About Changing Your Name on Your Tennessee Registration

You must change the name on car registration in Tennessee whenever you legally change your name after a major life event such as marriage, divorce, adoption, etc.

If you do not change car registration information in order to keep your documents current, you may experience issues in the future, especially when you need to renew or replace your license plates.

When you update the name on your vehicle’s registration credentials, you must also correct the information on your certificate of title and order a duplicate title that displays your new name. To learn more about these requirements and the steps you must take to change your name with the Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR), review the information below.

Your Tennessee Name Change Checklist

Before changing the name on car registration and titling credentials, you must complete several other steps. For instance, you must first notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of your new legal name and apply for a corrected Social Security card at no charge.

To do so, you must complete an Application for a Social Security Card and submit it to the SSA either in person or by mail. If you choose to submit your application in person, you must visit a local SSA office.

When changing your name with the SSA, you must also present with certified proof of your name change, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree.

As part of your change of name checklist, other acceptable documents may include a court order for name change or a certificate of naturalization that displays your new name. Additionally, you must present proof of your identity, such as a U.S. passport, state-issued driver’s license or identification card.

Get detailed information on how to change your name with the SSA and the DOR in our vehicle registration guide.

Once you change your name with the SSA, you must wait at least 24 hours before updating the information on your vehicle registration and titling credential. When you change name on car registration credentials, the Tennessee DOR will verify this change against the updated SSA records.

Next, you must apply for a DMV name change with the Tennessee Department of Safety (DOS).

To update the information on your driver’s license or identification card, you must visit a local driver service center to present certified proof of the name change and your current driver’s license or ID card.

Once you change the name on car registration documents, you can request a duplicate vehicle registration with your updated information.

Performing a Name Change on Car Registration in Tennessee

To perform a DMV change of name after you update the information on your driver’s license and notify the SSA of your new legal name, you must complete a multi-purpose application, as the Tennessee DOR uses this form to process several different types of vehicle-related transactions.

When completing the application, you must provide your vehicle’s title and/or registration number, vehicle identification number (VIN) and information about each registered vehicle owner, including full name and address.

After completing this DOR name change form, you must visit the clerk’s office in the county where your vehicle is registered to submit the application, proof of your legal name change (such as a marriage or divorce certificate) and evidence of automobile ownership (such as a certificate of title).

If you wish to purchase a replacement registration card that displays your new legal name, you must pay a fee at this time.

When changing vehicle registration information, you must also update the name on your certificate of title and apply for a replacement title. To do so, you must complete an Application for Duplicate Title and pay the applicable fee.

To get directions on changing your name on your car registration, download our free vehicle registration guide.