For most changes, you will need to visit your local DMV office and bring proof of the change.

Unless otherwise noted, the fee for an amended permit or license is $12.50, and the fee for an amended non-driver ID card is $5.00.

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.

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

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. 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

Standard License, Permit, or Non-Driver ID 

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
  • 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.)

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 'Commissioner of Motor Vehicles'
• Mail to
  Utica Processing Center
  207 Genesee Street
  Utica, NY 13501

Enhanced or REAL ID 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 the items listed below to your local 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. 

If your date of birth is not correct, bring proof of your age and date of birth to your local DMV office.

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Online

You can change the gender on your license or ID card online.

At a DMV Office

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

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Gender X on a New York State Photo Document

In accordance with the Gender Recognition Act, DMV allows existing photo document holders to update their New York State photo documents to reflect an “X” gender marker and new applicants to apply for a New York State photo document with an “X” gender marker. The "X" gender marker is available in offices and online.

You must prove that you can pass a vision test without corrective lenses. See more information about removing a corrective lenses restriction.

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.

You must go to a DMV office to change your photo. 

When you renew

• there is no additional fee to update your photo

When it is not time to renew

Bring the items listed below to your local 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.

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