Montana DMV Name Change (Driver's License)

Before you visit the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), a division of the Montana Department of Justice, 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 Montana SS-5 step.

Bring the following to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), a division of the Montana Department of Justice:

• Certified copy of marriage certificate (issued by county Clerk of District Court)
• Current Montana driver license or state ID
• Proof that name was already updated with Social Security Administration (MVD verifies electronically; must wait 24-48 hours after SSA update)
• Payment for the $10.30 replacement fee (MVD fee schedule, checked 2026-08)
• If also upgrading to REAL ID: proof of SSN and two documents proving Montana residency

REAL ID note: A name change itself does not require full REAL ID document re-verification, but if upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant card at the same visit, MVD requires proof of identity, SSN, and two proofs of Montana residency in addition to the certified marriage certificate.

The Montana fee to update your license is typically about $10.30 (confirm with the agency). This change generally must be done in person. You can confirm the current requirements on the official Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), a division of the Montana Department of Justice page. To see how Montana compares with every other state, use our name change fee table.

Montana requires an appointment for a name change, so book one before you go: Montana appointment options.