Documentation of Name Change
An applicant's full legal name is required on a driver's license or identification card application, including a renewal application, and on the license itself.
The name on your application must be the same as the name shown on a primary document unless:
- you submit the required name change documentation
- your last name replaced your middle name prior to marriage. U.S. or Canadian birth certificates are acceptable proof of prior last name.
- your name has been truncated in accordance with policy (Administrative Rules of Montana 23.3.127 (3))
The space provided for recording a full legal name on a driver record or driver's license may not exceed 31 characters, including up to three commas. Titles such as Dr., Rev., Mrs. and Mr. are not allowed. You may include hyphens only if they are used in your name as it appears in the primary document you use as proof of your identity.
Required Documentation
Applications for name change must be supported by a certified copy of one of the following documents:
- a marriage certificate from the issuing government jurisdiction
- a decree or judgment granting a name change from a court of competent jurisdiction
- a divorce decree or dissolution of marriage specifying change of name
- a U.S. department of justice, immigration and naturalization service, certificate of naturalization (form N-550, N-570) issued to the applicant
- a declaration of marriage filed with the district court clerk where the declaration was made
Upon payment of the required fees and providing proof of name change documentation, an applicant may also apply for a duplicate driver's license in the legally changed name.