If My Name Has Changed?

What do I need to bring to update my title if my name has changed?

It is important to know that there are many different reasons why an individual has to change and/or update their name on their title. The following scenarios are the most common but even these can have multiple variations that could impact the requirements. Use this information as a general guide but we strongly encourage you to contact one of our offices if you feel as though your situation is unique in any way.

It is recommended that you update your social security card before attempting to change the name on your Alabama driver’s license and title.

 Update name due to marriage if you OWN your vehicle (not financed).  

• Updated Alabama Drivers License
• Copy of your marriage certificate
• Current Alabama title
• Proof of Insurance  (insurance provider must be licensed to do business in Alabama)

Update name due to marriage if your vehicle is financed.

• Updated Alabama Drivers License
• Copy of your marriage certificate
• Your current vehicle title. (You will need to contact your lienholder and have them send the current title to the office where you will be conducting your transaction. If necessary, we can request the title on your behalf if you supply us with the proper information. If the title is from another state your vehicle will need to be in the parking lot for a VIN inspection.)
• A letter from your lienholder on their letterhead, signed by an agent giving us permission to change your name and instructing us how the name should be listed.
• Proof of Insurance 
  
  

Update name due to divorce if you OWN your vehicle (not financed).  

• Updated Alabama Drivers License
• Copy of your divorce decree
• Current Alabama Title  (If your divorce decree does not specify the VIN, year, make and model of the vehicle you are being awarded you will need the current Alabama title. In addition, if you are removing a previous spouse’s name and the VIN, year, make and model are not listed in the decree the back of the title must be properly assigned to you.)
• Proof of Insurance  (insurance provider must be licensed to do business in Alabama)

Update name due to divorce if your vehicle is financed. 

• Updated Alabama Drivers License
• Copy of your divorce decree
• Your current vehicle title. (You will need to contact your lienholder and have them send the current title to the office where you will be conducting your transaction. If necessary, we can request the title on your behalf if you supply us with the proper information. If the title is from another state your vehicle will need to be in the parking lot for a VIN inspection.)
• A letter from your lienholder on their letterhead, signed by an agent giving us permission to change your name and instructing us how the name should be listed.  (Name on title must be exactly as it is on driver’s license)
• Proof of Insurance 
  
  

Update my name due to a legal name change if I own my vehicle.

• Updated Alabama Driver’s License
• A copy of the court order indicating the legal name change
• Your current Alabama title
• Proof of insurance  (insurance provider must be licensed to do business in Alabama)

Update my name due to a legal name change if my vehicle is financed.

• Updated Alabama Driver’s License
• A copy of the court order indicating the legal name change
• Your current vehicle title. (You will need to contact your lienholder and have them send the current title to the office where you will be conducting your transaction. If necessary, we can request the title on your behalf if you supply us with the proper information. If the title is from another state your vehicle will need to be in the parking lot for a VIN inspection.)
• A letter from your lienholder on their letterhead, signed by an agent giving us permission to change your name and instructing us how the name should be listed.  (Name on title must be exactly as it is on driver’s license.)
• Proof of insurance 
  
  

Download a printable checklist here

This information provided by the Shelby County License Department is the most current and thorough information available to help expedite your transaction. The license department regards every transaction as unique however we have only addressed the most common types of transactions and provided you the basic information to assist you with the documents needed before your visit to our license offices. Since every situation cannot be foreseen we encourage you to include any additional documentation you may deem pertinent to your transaction. For your convenience we also encourage you to use the printable checklists that are available within the text.