Motorists must apply for a drivers license name change in Kansas whenever they change their legal name. For instance, drivers must change name on driving license documents if they change their name after marriage, divorce or court order. Drivers can only complete this process in person through the Division of Vehicles (DOV) under the state Department of Revenue (KDOR).

However, before changing name on drivers license documents, motorists must report the name change to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and obtain a new Social Security card. A motorist’s name on his or her driving credentials must match his or her legal name, as a Kansas drivers license is proof of identity and must be accurate. To learn more about how to change name on drivers license materials and Social Security cards, review the sections below.

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

Drivers must apply for a change of name on driving license documents if their current legal name differs from the name on their birth certificate or birth record. In many cases, motorists need to apply for a name change on drivers license materials or identification cards if they change their name after marriage, divorce, legal separation, adoption or court order. Additionally, motorists must request a driving license name change in Kansas if they change their legal name after undergoing a gender change.

Kansas Drivers License Name Change Time Limits

You must change the name on your KS driving license after changing your name on your Social Security card. You cannot begin the process of changing your name on driving license materials or identification cards until you notify Social Security of the legal name change. Your driver identification details must match the information on file with the SSA.

While you do not need to complete a DMV name change within a certain amount of time, failing to update your identification details may result in delays in receiving future correspondence from the KDOR and other possible complications. This includes not receiving necessary notifications about license and vehicle registration renewal.

How to Change Your Name With the Social Security Administration

Before you apply for a drivers license name change in Kansas and receive a replacement license with your new name, you must report the name change to Social Security and request a new Social Security card. You will need to wait at least a day between changing your name with the SSA and with the state licensing office. You cannot change your name on a driving license if you have not made the correction with the federal government. To complete this process, you must visit a local Social Security office to submit the following documentation:

  • An application for a Social Security card
  • Proof of identity, such as a driver license, identification card or U.S. passport
  • An original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order of name change or Certificate of Naturalization

Note: If you do not live near a Social Security branch, then you may apply for a new Social Security card by mail. After changing your name in the Social Security database and processing the request, the SSA will mail you a new Social Security card and return all certified or original documentation.

How to Change Your Name on Your Drivers License in Person

When drivers need to change the name on their Kansas driving license, they must visit a driver license station to complete the application process in person. Drivers cannot complete online driving license name changes at this time. Additionally, drivers cannot apply for a DMV name change until they notify the SSA of their name change. After reporting the change of name to the SSA, drivers must wait at least 24 hours before reporting the change to the KDOR.

When applying for a name change on drivers licenses in Kansas, motorists must complete the following steps:

  • Visit a local driver licensing office to present a current driver license or identification card
  • Submit an original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order of adoption or court order of legal name change
  • Provide payment for the name change and new driver license

The drivers license name change document must connect your former name to your current name. In addition, documents must be certified or original. If you are completing a change of address on a drivers license with your name change, then you will need to bring in documents connected to the move.

How to Change Your Name on Your Drivers License by Mail

Motorists cannot apply for a driving license name change online in Kansas but they may change the name on their current drivers license by mail if they are out-of-state on active duty. To change the name on a KS driver license from outside of the state or country, military members must download an application for a replacement. In addition to submitting the drivers license name change form, applicants must submit a photocopy of the legal name change document and a copy of two identification documents.

Moreover, applicants must include payment for the replacement driver license in the form of a check (made payable to KDOR), money order or major credit card. After completing the DMV name change application, motorists must print the form and submit it to the state DOR.

Dependents of out-of-state military members may also request a new driver license by mail. Furthermore, drivers who apply for a change of name by mail must submit copies of certified or original documentation, as the KDOR will not return the documents to the applicant.

Kansas DMV Name Change Fees

When changing your name on your KS driving license or permit, you must pay a driver license replacement fee, which covers the cost of the new license and license photo. The fee for changing your name on a Kansas ID card is $12, and $16 for any type of license or permit. However, there is no fee to apply for a new Social Security card with your new name.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.