Search results
If you are changing your name on your registration (not correcting it), you must submit your REG 256 and 227 forms, evidence of ownership, and duplicate certificate of title fee in person to a DMV office to complete the process.
Take your forms to the court clerk. If you live in California, go to the Superior Court in the county where your child lives. If there are different locations, check your court’s website, talk to your Self-Help Center, or find the closest court to you where civil cases are filed.
You can legally change your name by filing papers in court. If a judge agrees, they will give you a court order that states your new legal name. You need this order to change your name on identity documents, like your driver’s license, passport, or social security card.
If you are changing your name on your DL/ID in addition to your gender category, please also follow the instructions within “Changing Your Name” above. Complete a new DL/ID application Use our online application to apply for a new DL/ID card with your updated gender category.
How to change your name with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): Visit your local DMV office. Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application. Provide proof of your legal name change. Surrender your old driver's license. Pay the $36 duplicate license fee.
Start the name change process for your child. You start the process of changing your child's name by filling out court forms. These instructions are only if both parents will sign the petition. You'll need to follow different instructions if only one parent will sign the request.
You DO need a court order for a change of name. If you need to change your name AND gender, you can follow the instructions below, or you can instead change your gender with the State Registrar (without a court order) and separately get a court order for a name change only. To do that, visit our name change section.
