Name Change? Bring Proof.
When providing documentation to Virginia DMV, your name must match across ALL documents. If not, you must bring certified proof of each name change, such as:
- Marriage certificate or civil union documents filed with a government agency or court
- Divorce decree
- Court order for legal name change
You may need multiple documents to show a full name change history (e.g., maiden name → married name → current name). If your documents don’t match and you don’t bring proof of name change, we won’t be able to issue a credential to you.
Common Scenarios That Require Name Change Documents
You’ll need to bring certified name change documents if:
- You got married and your current last name is different from the one on your birth certificate or identity document
Example: Your birth certificate says Mary Ann Smith, but your ID says Mary Ann Jones. - You’ve been divorced and changed your name back or to a new name
→ Bring the divorce decree indicating your name reverts to your prior name, or court records granting a new name. - You had multiple name changes, such as marrying more than once
→ You’ll need to bring a document for each change to show the full name history. - You completed a legal name change through the courts
→ A certified court order is required. - You were adopted and your legal name differs from what’s on your birth certificate
→ Bring your adoption decree or court records.