Minnesota DMV Name Change (Driver's License)

Before you visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), you must update Social Security and then wait 24–48 hours for their systems to sync. Most DMVs check your new name against SSA data electronically, so if you go too soon you can be rejected. Start with the free Minnesota SS-5 step.

Bring the following to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS):

• Current Minnesota driver's license or ID card
• Certified marriage certificate (or marriage license with certified recorded marriage date)
• Proof of updated name with the Social Security Administration (name/SSN must match SSA records)
• Certified divorce decree or court order (only if name change is from divorce/court order instead of marriage)
• Proof of residency/citizenship documents if applying for or upgrading to a REAL ID

REAL ID note: DVS verifies your name and SSN against Social Security Administration records, so update your name with the SSA before visiting DVS to avoid a mismatch rejection; you must renew or replace your license/ID within 30 days of the legal name change.

The Minnesota fee to update your license is typically about $26 (confirm with the agency). This change generally must be done in person. You can confirm the current requirements on the official Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) page. To see how Minnesota compares with every other state, use our name change fee table.

Mind the clock: Minnesota asks you to update your license within 30 days of your legal name change, so don't park this step for later. The law: Minn. Stat. § 171.11.

Booking ahead can save you a wait at many Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) locations: Minnesota appointment options.