Change is a fact of life. Whether you’re moving within the state, new to Ohio or simply need to update your “status” because of life events, here’s what you need to know about changing the name or address on your Ohio drivers license.
New to Town? Then You Need an Ohio Drivers License
You have 30 days from the time you move to the state to get your Ohio drivers license.
Ohio calls their licensing office the BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles). You will need to visit a BMV office in person the first time you are switching to an Ohio state license. The BMV has a handy search tool that can find your closest office. If you are 21 or over, you will pay $24.50 for your new license (valid for 4 years).
What to Bring to the Ohio BMV
Changing your name or address in Ohio is going to take a bit of paperwork. You will need documents that prove your:
Name (including name change, if applicable)
Date of birth
Social security number
Legal presence in the U.S.
Ohio residency
The easiest way to guarantee that you are able to verify your identity and legal presence in the US is to bring your Social Security Card and your birth certificate. Name, birth date and legal residency in the US can also be proven through a passport.
To prove where you live, you can use a:
Bank statement
Credit card record
Utility bill
School certified record
If you don’t have these documents, there are some alternatives that can be used. Your social security number can also be verified through a:
Certified school record
W-2 statement from your job
Official medical record
To view a full list of acceptable documents, check out the Ohio BMV acceptable documents list. As long as your previous out-of-state driver's license is valid when you visit the BMV, you won’t need to take a driving exam.
You will also take a vision screening test and a picture for the new license. Make sure you arrive photo-ready!
What If I Have Points on an Out-of-State License?
Even though the OH BMV does not determine fault in an accident, it will be evident from your driver record that a moving violation occurred and points were assessed. If you were not at fault, the moving violation will appear on the record but no points will be included on that same date.
Moving Within the State of Ohio
You are required to notify the BMV of your address change within 10 days of moving.
If you are simply moving to a new town or previously were an Ohio resident, you have a few options for how to notify the BMV. For each option, you will need to provide your:
Full name
Birth date
Ohio driver's license or ID card number
Previous address
New address
Using this info, you can:
Complete/submit an online form.
Print out the form from their site. Fill it out and mail in the hard copy.
Mailing Address:
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Deputy Registrar Services
P.O. Box 16520
Columbus, OH 43216
Visit a local office in person to submit your address change.
Updating Your Name on an Ohio License
If you had a recent status update due to marriage, divorce or court order and need to legally change your name your first stop is a Social Security Administration office. You will then need to notify the Ohio BMV.
Updating the Name on Your Social Security Card
To update your name on your social security card, you can do so in-person or via mail (for free). You will need:
Completed Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5).
A document proving your name change: marriage certificate, divorce decree or a court order.
Proof of your identity: U.S. driver’s license, passport or an Ohio ID card.
Proof of U.S. citizenship: U.S. birth certification, citizenship or naturalization certification.
Important Note: All documents must be originals or certified copies.
Documents will be mailed back to you (if sent by mail) and your new card should arrive within 10 business days of processing. Your Social Security Number will remain the same.
Updating the Name on Your Ohio Drivers License
Next, you will visit your local BMV to get a new Ohio drivers license. You’ll need $24.50 for the license fee and a similar set of documents:
Your current driver's license.
Your new Social Security card.
The proof you used before for your name change.
Each time you get a new license, you will be asked if you would like to be an organ donor. Once you’ve got that decided you’ll have a new Ohio drivers license with your updated information.
*This article was updated on 9/1/2020.