Motorists must apply for a drivers license name change in Hawaii whenever they change their names after marriage, divorce, legal separation or court order. However, drivers can only change name on driving license materials in person at a driver licensing center. Current, residents do not have the ability to modify driver information online or by mail.

The DMV name change application process is similar to obtaining a new drivers license, residents often need to pass a vision test, take a new driving license photograph and provide their fingerprints. However, when changing name on drivers license or identification cards, specific procedures may vary by county. To learn more about how to change name on drivers license materials and Social Security cards, review the information below.

Instances Where You Must Change Your Name on Your Hawaii Drivers License

Motorists must apply for a change of name on driving license documents or state identification cards whenever they make the decision to change their legal name. For instance, drivers must apply for a name change on drivers license or identification cards if they change their name after marriage, legal separation, divorce, adoption, court order or for any other reason.

Before you apply for a DMV name change in Hawaii, you must update your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and obtain a new Social Security card. You cannot apply for a driving license name change until you update your name with the SSA.

Hawaii Drivers License Name Change Time Limits

There is no specific time limit for changing your name on driving license materials or identification cards. However, the state recommends changing your name in HI within 30 days of making the legal name change.

Failure to change the name on your driving license may result in issues with your driving record, delays in receiving driver license renewal notices and other potential issues. Additionally, you must change your name through the SSA as soon as the name change occurs. If you do not update your information with the SSA, then the administration cannot track your earnings and Social Security work credits.

How to Change Your Name With the Social Security Administration

Before motorists may apply for a drivers license name change in Hawaii, they must apply for a change of name through the SSA. To change the name on a Social Security card, motorists must complete the following steps:

  • Complete an application for a Social Security card and mail the form to a local Social Security office or submit the form in person.
  • Provide the Social Security office with documentation to support the change of name in Hawaii, including a marriage document, divorce decree or court order.
  • Submit proof of identity, including a drivers license, U.S. passport or state-issued identification card.

Note: Before drivers may change the name on their HI driving license, they must update their information with the SSA. In some cases, the driver license office verifies the name change with the SSA before issuing a new drivers license. However, drivers must allow at least 24 hours between changing their name with the SSA and their local driver license office.

How to Change Your Name on Your Drivers License in Person

To change the name on your Hawaii driving license, you must visit a local driver licensing center to submit your current license and proof of the name change, complete a driver license application, pass an eye test and provide payment for driver licensing fees. However, when changing the name on your driver license, you may submit your birth certificate and Social Security card in lieu of your current drivers license. When applying for a driving license name change, you must also provide your fingerprints and take a new drivers license photo. For this reason, you cannot apply for a drivers license name change online or by mail.

When you change the name on your driving license, you may submit proof of the name change in the form of a certified or original marriage certificate, divorce decree, civil union certificate, court order for name change, naturalization certificate or another certified name change document.

When changing your name on driving license in Hawaii, you must also provide the driver licensing office with proof of legal presence, a requirement under the state’s Legal Presence Act. Proof of legal presence for completing a DMV name change includes the following: an original or certified birth certificate or birth ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, a consular report of birth, a certificate of naturalization or citizenship.

If you need to change the name on your drivers license but were born outside of the country, then you may submit as proof of legal presence documents such as a resident alien card, permanent resident card, temporary resident card, employment authorization card or a foreign passport with the appropriate immigration documentation.

Hawaii DMV Name Change Fees

When changing the name on your HI drivers license, you must obtain a duplicate drivers license and pay a nominal driving license replacement fee. However, specific fees for completing a drivers license name change vary by county. On the other hand, there is no charge to obtain a new Social Security card through the SSA.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.