Name change after marriage in Tennessee
To change your name after marriage in Tennessee, update Social Security first, then your Tennessee driver's license / REAL ID, then your passport. Do it in that order and you won't get turned away at the counter on a name mismatch. Below are Tennessee's exact DMV steps and fees, each linked to the real .gov page it came from, then the federal steps that apply in every state.
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security — Driver Services
Tennessee DMV name-change steps
Update your name with the Social Security Administration FIRST
Tennessee Driver Services advises: 'It is advised to visit your local social security office and update your name with them first before visiting the driver service center.' This ensures the SSA record matches the new legal name, which is verified during issuance (especially for REAL ID).
SourceObtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate
You need 'a certified copy of the marriage certificate issued by the county clerk or other authorized government agency after the marriage has been performed and officially recorded.' A marriage license authorizing the ceremony (the pre-wedding document) is NOT accepted; it must be the recorded/certified certificate. Originals or certified copies only — faxes or photocopies are not accepted.
SourceVisit a Driver Services Center in person (appointment recommended)
'You must visit a Driver Services Center to change your name.' The name change cannot be done online or by mail. Bring your current license/ID and the certified marriage certificate. Making an appointment is recommended to avoid extended wait times.
SourceIf you also want a REAL ID credential, bring all REAL ID documents
REAL ID requires four document categories: (1) one proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, (2) one proof of Social Security Number, (3) two proofs of Tennessee residency, and (4) name-change documentation. For name changes, 'provide all name change documentation that connects to the original name listed on your proof of identity, citizenship, or legal presence' (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order). All such documents must be originals or certified copies.
SourcePay the duplicate license/ID fee and receive your updated credential
A duplicate fee applies for the name-changed credential. Documents are subject to verification with the issuing agency; documents requiring verification may delay issuance of the credential.
Source
What you need to bring
- Current Tennessee driver license or ID
- Certified copy of the marriage certificate issued by the county clerk or authorized government agency after the marriage was performed and officially recorded (NOT a marriage license, application, or photocopy)
- For REAL ID: one proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence
- For REAL ID: one proof of Social Security Number
- For REAL ID: two proofs of Tennessee residency
- For REAL ID with multiple prior name changes: all name-change documents (e.g., birth certificate, prior marriage certificates, divorce decrees) chronologically connecting the original name to the current name — all originals or certified copies
Tennessee fees
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate non-commercial driver license (name change) — 1st duplicate | $8.00 total ($6.00 license + $2.00 application fee) | tn.gov |
| Duplicate non-commercial driver license (name change) — 2nd or subsequent duplicate | $12.00 total ($10.00 license + $2.00 application fee) | tn.gov |
| Duplicate ID-only (name change) — 1st duplicate | $8.00 total ($6.00 + $2.00 application fee) | tn.gov |
| Duplicate ID-only (name change) — 2nd or subsequent duplicate | $12.00 total ($10.00 + $2.00 application fee) | tn.gov |
| Temporary license/certificate duplicate | $28.00 total ($26.00 + $2.00 application fee) | tn.gov |
| County Clerk Partner location administrative fee (added on top, if using a County Clerk partner location) | additional $4.00 | tn.gov |
Watch out for these in Tennessee
SSA FIRST: Tennessee advises updating your name with the Social Security Administration before visiting Driver Services, so SSA records match your new legal name.
IN-PERSON REQUIRED: A name change cannot be done online or by mail — 'You must visit a Driver Services Center to change your name.' Appointment recommended to reduce wait time.
CERTIFIED MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE ONLY: Must be the certified, recorded marriage certificate issued by the county clerk/authorized agency AFTER the marriage — a marriage license or application authorizing the ceremony is NOT accepted.
ORIGINALS/CERTIFIED COPIES ONLY: Faxes or photocopies will not be accepted.
REAL ID NAME-MATCH / FULL CHAIN: For REAL ID you must provide ALL name-change documents that connect your original name (on your identity/citizenship document) to your current name; gaps in the chain can prevent issuance.
VERIFICATION DELAYS: All documents are subject to verification with the issuing agency; documents requiring verification may delay issuance of the credential.
Order an extra certified marriage certificate copy — TN keeps/verifies documents and the same certificate is also needed for SSA and other agencies.
The federal steps (every state)
Your Tennessee DMV step sits between Social Security and your passport. The three steps below are the same wherever you live.
Official Tennessee & federal sources
Every step is backed by an official government page — confirm the current rules on the source before you act.
See your exact steps free
Answer a few quick questions and we'll tell you what to do first, second, and third for your exact situation — each step linked to the real .gov page. No account, no card.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I change my license name online in Tennessee, or must it be in person?
- IN-PERSON REQUIRED: A name change cannot be done online or by mail — 'You must visit a Driver Services Center to change your name.' Appointment recommended to reduce wait time.
- Do I change my name at the Tennessee DMV or Social Security first?
- Social Security first. Tennessee's DMV verifies your name and SSN against SSA's records, so updating SSA before the DMV prevents your license or REAL ID from being rejected on a mismatch.
- What documents does Tennessee need to change my license name after marriage?
- Current Tennessee driver license or ID See the full .gov-verified list below, each linked to its official Tennessee page.
- How much does a Tennessee name change cost?
- Duplicate non-commercial driver license (name change) — 1st duplicate: $8.00 total ($6.00 license + $2.00 application fee); Duplicate non-commercial driver license (name change) — 2nd or subsequent duplicate: $12.00 total ($10.00 license + $2.00 application fee); Duplicate ID-only (name change) — 1st duplicate: $8.00 total ($6.00 + $2.00 application fee); Duplicate ID-only (name change) — 2nd or subsequent duplicate: $12.00 total ($10.00 + $2.00 application fee); Temporary license/certificate duplicate: $28.00 total ($26.00 + $2.00 application fee); County Clerk Partner location administrative fee (added on top, if using a County Clerk partner location): additional $4.00. The federal Social Security update is always free.
- When was this Tennessee guidance last checked?
- 2026-06-14. We checked every step against Tennessee's official pages and show you the date so you know it's current — and we link every step to the real .gov page it came from.
Not legal advice · Not a government service · Not affiliated with any government agency.