Motorists must apply for a drivers license name change in Idaho whenever they change their legal names due to marriage, divorce, legal separation or court order. Additionally, drivers who need to change name on driving license materials or identification cards must also change the name on their Social Security card. This is so both the state and federal government are aware of the modification to a residents name and have matching records.

However, drivers cannot apply for a DMV name change and update the name on their Social Security card at the same time. Instead, drivers can apply for a change of name on driving license or identification cards after they change their name with the Social Security Administration (SSA). To learn more about how to change name on drivers license materials, identification cards and Social Security cards, review the information below.

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

Motorists must apply for a name change on drivers license documents or identification cards whenever they change their legal name after marriage, divorce, court order, legal separation or for any other reason. Additionally, drivers must apply for a driving license name change in Idaho whenever they undergo a gender change and wish to change their legal name as well. In this case, drivers must also apply to change the gender designation on their drivers license or ID card.

Idaho Drivers License Name Change Time Limits

There is no specific time limit for changing your name on driving license materials, but you must update your address with the DMV under the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) within 30 days of making the address change.

Additionally, you must change the name on your Social Security card as soon as possible after the name change occurs. However, the state recommends changing the name on your ID driving license when you update your address to avoid complications and to keep all your information up-to-date with the ITD.

How to Change Your Name With the Social Security Administration

Before changing name on drivers license documents or identification cards, you must update your name with the SSA. To change your name with the SSA, you must complete the following steps:

  • Complete an application for a Social Security card by providing your full name, birth name, Social Security Number, place of birth and date of birth. You must also include your citizenship status, ethnicity, race, gender and the names and Social Security Numbers of your parents (if known).
  • Visit a local Social Security office to submit the form in person or mail the application to a local SSA branch.
  • Include proof of the legal name change, including the original or certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order document or certificate of naturalization.
  • Submit proof of identity, including a driving license, U.S. passport or state-issued identification card.

When changing your name on your ID driving license, the driver licensing representative may verify your name change with the SSA. If the names do not match, then the driver licensing office cannot provide you with a replacement license with the new name. For this reason, you must first change your name with the SSA and allow at least 24 hours before updating the name on your license or ID card.

How to Change Your Name on Your Drivers License in Person

When you change the name on your Idaho driving license, you must visit a local driver licensing office to complete the application process in person. You cannot complete an online driving license name change or a mail-in name change at this time. Instead, you must change the name on your driving license by bringing the following documents to your local driver license office:

  • Your current driving license or state-issued identification card
  • Proof of the legal name change, including a certified or original marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption record or another legal name change document
  • Payment for obtaining a duplicate driver license with your new name

If you apply for a drivers license name change after undergoing a gender change, then you may change your name and the gender designation on your drivers license. To apply for a change of name and update your gender designation at the same time, you must complete the application and submit it in person at a driver licensing office. A licensed physician must complete part two of the application. Additionally, you must submit proof of the ID name change, surrender your current driver license or identification card and provide payment for obtaining a duplicate license or ID.

Note: Many driver licensing offices are in county sheriff’s offices throughout the state. However, you must contact the office ahead of time to verify that your local sheriff’s office handles driver license services and name changes.

Idaho DMV Name Change Fees

When applying for a drivers license name change in Idaho, you must submit payment for obtaining a duplicate license. The DMV name change fee for obtaining a duplicate license will vary based on the driver license class you have. For example, a standard duplicate driving credential costs $15.

Likewise, the fee for a duplicate identification card will vary based on your age and the card’s duration of validity (when the credential expires). However, there is no fee to change your name with the SSA and obtain a new Social Security card.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.