Change your name in Tennessee
The exact steps, documents, and official Tennessee links to change your name after marriage or divorce, in the correct order.
DMV / license agency
Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Driver Services DivisionLicense update fee
Duplicate license fee of approximately $8-$16 (varies by license type/duplicate history); temporary license around $28
Marriage certificate
Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital RecordsVoter deadline
Voter registration (including updates such as a name change) must be completed at least 30 days before an election; mail-in forms must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day.
Instructions verified August 2026 against official Tennessee government sites. How we verify
Book a DMV appointmentWhat Tennessee asks you to bring
Documents for the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Driver Services Division
- Certified copy of marriage certificate from Tennessee Vital Records or county clerk (original or certified copy only, no photocopies/faxes)
- Current Tennessee driver's license or ID
- Proof that Social Security Administration record has been updated with new name (recommended before DMV visit)
- Proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, etc.) if updating for REAL ID compliance
- Completed in-person application at a Driver Services Center (no separate form needed to bring, but bring proof of identity/citizenship if upgrading to REAL ID)
Online or in person
Tennessee does not accept the license name change online. A visit to Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Driver Services Division is required.
REAL ID in Tennessee
Tennessee Driver Services requires an in-person visit to a Driver Services Center for any name change; documents must be originals or certified copies (no faxes/photocopies). Making an appointment is recommended.
Ordering your Tennessee marriage certificate
Certified copy of marriage certificate costs $15 per copy; can be ordered online via VitalChek, by mail (Tennessee Vital Records, Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243), or in person. Requires a signed application and a valid government-issued photo ID; mail requests take about 4 weeks.
Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital RecordsUpdating your Tennessee voter registration
Tennessee lets you update your registration online. Voter registration (including updates such as a name change) must be completed at least 30 days before an election; mail-in forms must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day.
Update your registrationTennessee step-by-step guides
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