HOW DO I GET MY LEGAL NAME ON MY TDL?
Full Question:
I was divorced in June 2002 and in the divorce decree I was given back my maiden name. I have tried 4 times over the last 6 years to get the change on my TDL but the DPS office have refused saying they want the original copy of my decree. I have a certified copy that I paid $1.00 a page for along with ALL kinds of documents like SS card, voters registration, tag registration, property deed, and others. My question is HOW DO I GET MY LEGAL NAME ON MY TDL?
07/11/2007 |
Category: Drivers License |
State: Texas |
#7092
Answer:
The following is a Texas rule:
TITLE 37 PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS
PART 1 TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
CHAPTER 15 DRIVER LICENSE RULES
SUBCHAPTER B APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS--ORIGINAL, RENEWAL, DUPLICATE, IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATES
RULE §15.23 Names
The applicant's full name is required on all applications for driver's license and identification certificates.
(1) A married woman may choose the surname she wishes to use, either her maiden name or she may adopt the surname of her husband or the surname of a previous husband (Attorney General's Opinion H-432). However, no name will be used that has not been documented. If she elects not to adopt her husband's surname, she will simply list her name as if unmarried on the application. If she chooses to adopt her husband's surname, the application should list married name, first name, and middle name, or the maiden name may be used in lieu of middle name at the option of the applicant. The first name of the applicant must be used as the first name on the application and on the transaction card, even if the applicant normally uses a middle name as the given name. Middle names will not be substituted for first names. Examples: Mary Ellen Smith marries Brown; she may list her name as Brown, Mary Ellen or Brown, Mary Smith. In all cases, three full names will be used, unless the applicant does not have three names, including the maiden name.
(A) Change of name because of marriage, divorce, annulment, or by death of spouse may be certified by the applicant's signature. The licensee then may choose to either keep her current married name, or revert to her maiden name, or adopt a previous husband's surname. However, no name will be used that has not been documented. If the name is changed for reasons other than those set out above, a court order verifying such change is required and the name shown on the order is acceptable.
(B) Persons who are currently licensed and request that they be allowed to change their name may apply for a duplicate and exercise the same privilege in name selection as an original applicant.
(C) The above rules pertaining to names are applicable to both sexes.
(2) Foreign language names will be spelled as they appear on the identification documents presented--thus: Perez, Juan must be used on the license or certificate. The English version (Perez, John) will not be substituted for the actual name. Latin American males and single females will list surname (of father), given first name, and middle name. Married Latin American females may list their names the same way as described in paragraph (1) of this section.
(3) Ecclesiastical names such as Brother Thomas, Sister Mary, or Father Kelly are not used.
