Name Changes

If you are legally changing your name because of marriage, divorce or a court-approved legal name change, you must visit a DMV oOffice to have a new driver license issued.  This cannot be done online or through the mail. You may wish to complete the Non-Commercial Driver License Application (DLD-1) and Change of Address (DLD-22) forms in advance.

Bring your current license and the original legal documents which authorize the change. For marriage, this must be the certified Marriage Certificate which is recorded with the County Recorder. The Marriage License issued before the ceremony is not acceptable. Divorce decrees or other court documents must be originals or certified copies.

To change name(s) on any vehicle registration, you must first change the title and insurance. There are no forms other than the title. 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.

If there is no lienholder, you sign the title as if you are selling the vehicle and put the new name(s) in the buyer section.

• If the title says 'person 1' AND 'person 2', both parties must sign it.
• If the title says 'person 1' OR 'person 2', either party can sign without the other.

You will have to complete and get a new proof of insurance card with the name(s) exactly as they will be listed on the new registration and title. Bring the title, name change document if needed, proof of insurance card and the current registration slip to a DMV Full Service Office. You may also wish to complete a Change of Address Application (DLD-22).

An emissions inspection and registration renewal are not required as long as one of the current owners remains on the new title.

You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. You will need to complete an emissions 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.

To transfer vehicles into a Family Trust, you must ask any lienholder(s) 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. This is necessary to comply with the Insurance Verification Program. 

Please note the name of the trust can be a maximum of 34 characters. Bring the following items to a DMV Full-Service Office:

• Vehicle Title or lienholder letter
• Current registration
• Nevada Evidence of Insurance Card
• A completed Trustee Appointment and Powers Affidavit (RD-188)

An emissions inspection and registration renewal are not required.

You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. You will need to complete an emissions 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.