Name Changes
Use Your Legal Name
You must list your full legal name on all DMV documents. The DMV will use the name as listed on the document which authorizes the change.
You may list separate mailing and residence addresses.
You must list your full legal name on all DMV documents. The DMV will use the name as listed on the document which authorizes the change.
You may list separate mailing and residence addresses.
If you are legally changing your name, you must change your name with the Social Security Administration before you may change it on your license or ID.
See Changing your name on your Social Security card. You must visit a Social Security office in person.
The DMV electronically verifies your name, birth date and social security number with the SSA. It may take two or more business days for the Social Security Administration to update your records - during that time, we won't be able to see any changes you have made.
Be sure to bring your current license or ID and the original legal documents which authorize the change. An updated Social Security card is not sufficient.
All documents must be originals or certified copies. Fees are $8.25 for a non-commerical license, $7.25 for an ID card and $12.25 for a commercial license.
A certified Marriage Certificate filed with the county in which the marriage occured. The Marriage License issued before the ceremony is not acceptable. Certificates are filed with the County Clerk in Clark County and with the County Recorder in other counties.
The DMV will use the married name stated on the Marriage Certificate. No variations are allowed.
Only if a new name is not stated, the person may choose to:
An original or certified Decree of Divorce. The DMV uses the full legal name as listed on the decree.
The DMV will use the full legal name listed in the court order.
Original or certified copies of the Death and Marriage Certificates.
The surviving spouse may keep the existing name or he or she has two options:
An original or certified copy of a Decree of Adoption. The DMV uses the full legal name listed on the decree.
If you are changing your name, you must have the legal document which authorizes the change (Marriage Certificate, divorce decree, etc.). Divorce decrees should include language which awards the vehicle to the new owner by Vehicle Identification Number. You do not have to change the title for a name change only, but we suggest you do so if possible.
We will match the full legal name on your driver license. You must get a new Nevada Evidence of Insurance with the name(s) exactly as they will be listed on the license and registration. Bring the name change document, Evidence of Insurance and current registration slip to a DMV office.
An emission inspection and registration renewal are not required as long as one of the current owners remains on the new registration.
You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. You will need to complete an emission inspection if required and if the last test was completed more than 90 days ago. Your expiration date will change if the current expiration date is more than 35 days away. Credit will be given for the unused portion of your current Nevada registration.
If you are adding or dropping vehicle owners, you must change the vehicle title as well as the registration. We suggest changing it even if the owner(s) remain the same. If you have the title, bring it with you.
If you have a loan or lease on the vehicle, you must ask the lienholder to approve the change. The lienholder may ask you to sign either the title or a power of attorney. The lienholder may wish to refinance any loan if you are adding or dropping vehicle owners. The lienholder will have to apply for the new title and issue you a letter, including the Vehicle Identification Number, stating they will do so. You may also satisfy the lien and bring the signed-off title to the DMV.
Lienholders who are not familiar with Nevada procedures should call Title Research for exact instructions. See the Registration and Title Guide.
See Titles.
DMV Title Research
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711
(775) 684-4810 in Reno/Carson City
(702) 486-4368 ext. 3 in Las Vegas
8:00 am to 4:00 p.m.
To transfer vehicles into a Family Trust, you must ask any lienholder to approve the change. The lienholder may ask you to sign either the title or a power of attorney, and may wish to refinance any loan. The lienholder will have to apply for the new title and issue you a letter, including the Vehicle Identification Number, stating they will do so. You may also satisfy the lien and bring the signed-off title to the DMV.
You must add the name of the insured trustee to the registration and title or request that your insurance company report the vehicle in the name of the trust. The name of the insured on the Nevada Evidence of Insurance must match either a name of a trustee or the trust as the vehicle will be registered. This is necessary to comply with Nevada Liability Insurance Validation Electronically (NV LIVE).
Please note the name of the trust can be a maximum of 34 characters on a vehicle registration. Bring the following items to a DMV Full-Service Office:
You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. You will need to complete an emission inspection if required and if the last test was completed more than 90 days ago. Your expiration date will change if the current expiration date is more than 35 days away. Credit will be given for the unused portion of your current Nevada registration.
If you have a Governmental Services Tax Exemption for Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Surviving Spouses or the Blind, you may apply this to a vehicle registered to a trust by completing the Trust Affidavit for Exemptions (VP 242). This must be filed at the registration renewal each year.
An emission inspection and registration renewal are not required.
