Department of Motor Vehicles

Guidance

See information below on how to update information with the DMV or correct (fix) errors on your records. 

For information on how to change your address on DMV documents and records, see change address.

To change your email address, use the email reminders service.
 

Change information on your license

Change information on your registration and title

Driver license, permit or non-driver ID 

You must visit your local DMV office and bring proof of the change.

If you plan on traveling

We recommend you come to the DMV now to get an Enhanced or REAL ID, and avoid a second office visit later. 1  Learn about Enhanced, REAL ID and Standard documents. 

Complete this guide to make sure you have to correct proofs of identification you need. Also bring any additional information needed for your specific change listed below. 

Find the documents you need to get a REAL ID or enhanced permit, license, or non-driver ID

Change name

If you have a Standard license, permit or non-driver ID 

Please note: If you have a EDL or REAL ID, see instructions further down the page.

You can change or update your legal name on your Standard document by mail and order a new DMV document if 

• you have a Social Security Number (SSN) on file with the DMV and you already changed your name with the Social Security Administration 2
  • note: the name you request on your new DMV document must exactly match the name on your Social Security Card
• you do not have a commercial  driver license (CDL) or commercial learner permit (CLP)
• you do not need to change any other information (for example, height, gender, address, etc.)

To change by mail

• complete an Application for Name Change Only on Standard Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (MV-44NC)
  • your full signature, which will be used on your new license, permit or ID, must be within the signature box (we will reject your application if your signature touches or crosses the edge of the box)

Example of a (good) signature within the box:

Example of a (bad) signature that crosses the edge of the box:

• provide a copy of your new Social Security Card 
  • the name on your card must exactly match the name requested for your new document
• provide a copy of your current "Standard" New York State license, permit or non-driver ID
• provide a copy of one or more of these proofs of your name change
  • government issued marriage certificate
  • government issued court order
  • amended birth certificate
  • divorce papers (must indicate name change)
  • naturalization papers
• provide a check or money order for $12.50 (for license or permit) or $5.00 (non-driver ID) payable to 'Commission of Motor Vehicles'

Mail to

NYS DMV – Utica Processing Center
207 Genesee Street, 15th Floor
Utica, NY  13501

If you have a REAL ID or EDL license, permit or non-driver ID (or if you are not eligible to mail your Standard, CDL or CLP)

When you change your name on your REAL ID or EDL license, permit or non-driver ID, you must also update your photo.

To update a legal change of name on DMV records, bring these items to DMV office 

• a completed Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (MV-44)
• your current license, permit or non-driver ID, or at least 6 points of proof of identity and proof of date of birth
  • See How to Apply for a New York Learner Permit, Driver License, or Non-Driver ID (PDF) (ID-44) for a list of acceptable proofs
• original or a certified copy of your U.S. marriage certificate, U.S. divorce documents or other court papers for a change of name issued in the U.S. 3

Change or correct date of birth

If your date of birth is not correct, bring to your local DMV office proof of your age as listed on proofs of identity and date of birth for NY State driver license, learner permit or non-driver ID.

Find office locations

Change gender

You can change the gender on your license or ID card online or by completing the Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) MV-44 and visiting an office.

Find office locations

Gender X on a NYS photo document

Beginning May 27, 2022, in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act, DMV began processing applications at all DMV Offices to allow existing applicants to update their NYS photo documents to reflect an “X” gender option and new applicants to apply for a NYS photo document with an “X” gender option. This can be done by completing the Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) MV-44 or you can update your sex identifier online. DMV’s crash records system was also updated in May 2022. DMV’s traffic ticketing systems will be updated to allow a gender X option in the summer of 2023.

Correct an error (mistake) on your record

If  we made an error on your document, use the Ask DMV a Question service to request a correction. We may be able to correct it without you coming to a DMV office.  There is no fee for a correction.

Change photo

You must go to a DMV office. 

When you renew

• there is no additional fee to update your photo

When it is not time to renew

Bring to a DMV office

• a completed Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (MV-44)
• your current license, permit, or non-driver ID (you must surrender the document)
• $17.50 to update the photo on a license or permit, and $13 for a non-driver photo ID.

Find office locations

Fee

For amended permit or license: $12.50

For amended non-driver ID card: $5.00  4

Once ordered, your new document will come in 2 weeks

We will give you a temporary non-photo driver license, learner permit or non-driver ID at the DMV. You will receive your new document in the mail in about 2 weeks.

Check the mailing status

 

Death of a family member

If your loved one has passed away, please mail a copy of the death certificate and a photo copy of their license or ID (if you have it) to the DMV. This will prevent further mailings or identity theft. 

DMV License Production Bureau
P.O. Box 2688 ESP
Albany, NY 12220-0668

Vehicle registration and title 

Change name 

To update your legal name, bring these items to your local DMV office 

• your current title or other acceptable proof of ownership
• a completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF) (MV-82)
• your current license, permit or non-driver ID, or at least 6 points of proof of identity and proof of date of birth
• original or a certified copy of your US marriage certificate, US divorce documents or other court papers for a change of name issued in the US 5

Print this checklist

There are special instructions to change the name on a title after lease buyout.

Find office locations

Change address

For information on how to change your mailing and residence addresses on DMV documents and records, see change address.

Change other information

You must visit your local DMV office.  

To update your gender, bring

• a completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF) (MV-82)
• your registration and title 

Find office locations

Correct an error on registration or title

If  we made an error on your document, use the Ask DMV a Question service to request a correction. We may be able to correct it without you coming a DMV office.  There is no fee for a correction.

Find office locations

Fee

There is no fee to change your name on your registration documents and title certificate.  

When you will get your new registration and title

We will give you new registration documents immediately when you apply. Allow 60 to 90 days for your new title to arrive in the mail.