Name Correction On Driver's License In Michigan

Do you need to change your license's name? Process your Michigan driver's license name change to save time on the SOS website. Before completing an official name change with the MI secretary of state, you must ensure that your requirements and documents are in order. For example, if your license is about to expire, it's best to apply for a driver's license renewal rather than a simple name change. Once you've determined what steps are required, go to any secretary of state office in person.

Requirements For Name Change

To change your name on your driver's license or I.D. card in Michigan, go to your local Secretary of State's office and bring the following with you:

Proof Of Identity

To correct your name at a Secretary of State office, you must provide the following information:
  • Your current driver's license or identification card
  • The Social Security Administration will provide official proof of your legal name change.

Proof Of Name Change

You must provide at least one of the following documents to demonstrate the transition from your previous legal name to your current name:
  • Court order
  • Original marriage license
  • In the United States, a certified divorce decree is issued.
  • Pay the license or I.D. correction fee with a credit or debit card (additional fees apply), cash, check, or money order made payable to the State of Michigan.
You may be required to provide multiple name-change documents if you have changed your name more than once.

Payment

Pay the license or I.D. correction fee with a credit or debit card (additional fees apply), cash, check, or money order made payable to the State of Michigan.

Name Change On CDL

If you are changing your name on a commercial driver's license (CDL), you must also bring at least one document proving your citizenship or legal presence in the United States:
  • A valid, unexpired United States passport or passport card
  • A certified birth certificate with a stamp or raised seal issued by a U.S. government unit or a government office in a U.S. territory
  • The United States Consular Report of Birth Abroad Department of State (FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545)
  • Citizenship Certificate (N-560 or N-561)
  • Naturalization Certificate (N-550, N-570, N-578)
  • Permanent Resident Identification Card (Green Card)
  • A valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (I-551) or other proof of permanent residency (I-551 visa/stamp in passport or on I-94) is required.
  • Documentation of Employment Authorization (I-766)
  • Valid, unexpired foreign passport with U.S. visa and entry documentation:
  • - Form I-20 for F-visa holders
  • - Holders of J-visas: DS-2019
  • - B1 and B2 visas, as well as W.B. and W.T. visa stamps, are not acceptable.
  • Form I-94, State Department bio-data form, and supervision documents are examples of immigration documents that demonstrate the legal presence and ability to work in the United States (other documents may be accepted)
  • Expired immigration documents, as well as Form I-797 (Notice of Action) indicating that new documents have been requested
The federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) System may be required to verify documents.

Michigan Drivers License Name Change

According to Michigan law, you must legally update your name with the Social Security Administration. After that, the only way to have your driver's license name changed is to go to a secretary of state office in person. The steps are as follows:
  • Make the necessary changes through SSA.gov. Visit their page on changing a name on a Social Security card. You must present legal name change documents and fill out an application for a new social security card.
  • Please allow at least three (3) days after you visit the SSA for their system to make the change.
  • This step must be completed. If you do not make the change with the SSA, you will be unable to renew due to conflicting names.
  • Collect your current driver's license or I.D. and your name change documents.
  • Pay a visit to a Michigan secretary of state's office.
  • Pay the name change fee on your driver's license.
  • After you have completed all of the above steps, your new license will be issued.
  If your Michigan license's expiration date is less than three months away, you will be able to renew it.

Reasons For Name Change

Name changes are sought for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you dislike your birth name and would prefer a name that is more appropriate for you. Perhaps you are divorced and did not request that the Court restore your maiden name as part of the divorce proceedings, and your state, such as California, does not provide a simplified procedure. Perhaps you are considering or have made a career change and believe that your birth name hinders your new position. The reason(s) for your name change, the reason(s) should be valid enough for a Judge to accept it/them. Remember that the reason(s) will help the Judge decide whether or not to grant your petition.