LTO Change of Name Driver’s License 2026: Requirements, Fees, and Step-by-Step Process
An LTO change of name driver’s license is the update you file when the name printed on your Philippine driver’s license no longer matches your legal name. Most often this happens after marriage, when a woman starts using her husband’s surname, but the same transaction also covers court-ordered name changes and a widow going back to her maiden name. At the LTO, this transaction is called a Revision of Records, and it is filed in person at an LTO licensing office.
If your license still shows your old name while your other IDs already show your new one, that mismatch can slow down an insurance claim, complicate an apprehension, and cause problems when a bank compares your license with your other documents. This guide explains the requirements, the fees, and every step, so you can finish the update in one visit.
What Is an LTO Change of Name Driver’s License?
An LTO change of name driver’s license is simply your existing driver’s license reissued with your corrected legal name on it. The LTO calls the transaction a Revision of Records. Nothing else about your license changes: your license number, your restriction codes, and your expiry date stay the same, unless you also renew at the same time.
You file the transaction in person at an LTO licensing office. Some offices use appointments, so check the LTMS portal guide before you go to find out whether your office expects you to book a slot first. Bring originals and photocopies, because the evaluator keeps the photocopies and returns the originals after checking them.
It is important to understand what this transaction is not. It is not a renewal, and it is not a way to fix a spelling mistake that came from the LTO’s own encoding — if the name on your license is wrong because of a typing error when it was first issued, tell the evaluator at the counter.
Do You Have to Change Your Name After Getting Married?
No, you do not. Under Article 370 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, a married woman may use her husband’s surname — she is not required to. The law gives her three options: keep her maiden name, use her husband’s surname, or use her maiden first name and surname with her husband’s surname added after it.
That means an LTO change of name driver’s license after marriage is your choice, not an obligation. Keep your maiden name on every document and you do not need to file anything — your license stays valid under your maiden name.
The practical point is consistency. Whatever name you choose, use the same name on your driver’s license, your passport, your bank accounts, and your other government IDs, so no counter has to untangle two different names for the same person.
Requirements for an LTO Change of Name Driver’s License
The most common case is a married woman changing to her husband’s surname. The single most important document is your PSA-authenticated marriage certificate, because that is the proof that your new surname is your legal name. Bring the original and a photocopy, plus your PSA birth certificate, your current driver’s license, and a valid government-issued ID.
| Requirement | Original | Photocopy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duly accomplished Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form | Yes | — | Fill out before or at the office |
| Current driver’s license | Yes | Yes | Card is surrendered and replaced |
| PSA-authenticated marriage certificate | Yes | Yes | Main proof of the new surname |
| PSA birth certificate | Yes | Yes | Confirms identity and maiden name |
| Valid government-issued ID | Yes | Yes | Any government ID |
If there is no PSA branch in your area, some offices accept a marriage certificate validated by the local civil registrar together with the official receipt for that validation. Confirm at your branch before you travel.
One requirement needs a careful note. Some guides list a medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic, while others do not list it at all. Treat it as a “some offices ask for one” item: ask your branch in advance, or be ready to get one from a nearby accredited clinic if the evaluator asks for it. Bring at least one photocopy of every document — two if you can.
Which Document Fits Which Case?
Not every name change comes from a marriage. The document that proves your new name depends on why your name is changing.
| Your situation | Main supporting document | Also bring |
|---|---|---|
| Married, taking your husband’s surname | PSA-authenticated marriage certificate | Birth certificate, license, valid ID |
| Court-ordered change of name | Court order authorizing the change of name | Certificate of Finality |
| Widow going back to her maiden name | Death certificate of the deceased husband | Birth certificate, license, valid ID |
| Marriage annulled or declared void | Court decision on the annulment or nullity | Certificate of Finality |
| Minor correction of a first name or birth date | PSA-corrected birth certificate | Proof of the civil registrar correction |
A court order is needed whenever the change is not covered by a marriage certificate or a death certificate. It must be the original, plus a photocopy, and it must come with a Certificate of Finality — the court document confirming that the decision is final and can no longer be appealed. Without it, the LTO will usually not accept the court order, so make sure you have both before you go.
Changing a first name, or correcting the day or month of birth, is a different legal route. Republic Act 9048, as amended by Republic Act 10172, allows administrative correction of clerical errors — such as a misspelled first name or a wrong day or month of birth — through the local civil registrar, without going to court. A substantial change of name needs a court petition under Rule 103 of the Rules of Court. In those cases the LTO can only update your license after the corrected record exists, so the correction has to happen first at the civil registry.
LTO Change of Name Driver’s License Fees
The fees for this transaction are commonly listed in LTO procedure pages derived from the Citizen’s Charter at ₱325 in total for a Revision of Records on a valid license: a ₱225 replacement fee plus a ₱100 revision fee. If you are also getting a duplicate license together with the revision of records, the commonly listed total is ₱505.
| Transaction | Commonly listed fee |
|---|---|
| Revision of Records on a valid license (replacement ₱225 + revision ₱100) | ₱325 |
| Duplicate license with revision of records | ₱505 |
Treat these figures as a guide, not a guarantee. Fees can vary, and the cashier’s assessment at the counter is final — the amount you pay is the amount on the official receipt. Bring a little extra cash beyond the listed total. If your license is expired and you renew at the same time, extra renewal fees apply on top of the amounts above, so check our LTO fees schedule before you go. Pay only at the LTO cashier inside the office, and keep your official receipt.
Step-by-Step: How to Change the Name on Your Driver’s License
Step 1: Get your PSA documents first. Request your PSA-authenticated marriage certificate and your PSA birth certificate well before your visit. PSA processing takes time, and this is the step that causes most delays, so do it days ahead.
Step 2: Prepare your form and photocopies. Fill out the Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form and photocopy your current license, marriage certificate, birth certificate, and valid ID. Keep originals in one folder and photocopies in another.
Step 3: Book an appointment if your office requires one. Some offices accept walk-ins, while others ask you to book through the LTMS portal. Bring your appointment confirmation if you booked one.
Step 4: Go to the licensing office and get a queue number. Head to the customer service or evaluation window, present your documents, and get your queue number. Go early in the day if you can.
Step 5: Submit your documents for evaluation. When your number is called, hand over your ADL form, your current license, and your supporting documents. The evaluator checks that everything is complete and that the name on your marriage certificate or court order matches the name you wrote on the form.
Step 6: Pay at the cashier. Once your documents are approved, you will be directed to the cashier to pay the assessed fee. Keep the official receipt safe.
Step 7: Have your photo and signature taken. For a replacement card, the office takes a new photo and captures your signature. Sign the way you normally sign.
Step 8: Check your new license before you leave. When your new card is released, check the name spelling on the spot, letter by letter, along with your birth date and license number. If anything is wrong, tell the releasing window immediately — fixing it at the counter beats a second visit.
What If Your License Is Expired?
If your license is expired, you can renew it at the same time, in the same visit. Tell the evaluator when you submit your documents, because the renewal adds its own requirements and fees. The renewal requirements are covered in our guide to driver’s license renewal requirements.
A name change on its own does not extend your license: the validity does not change unless you renew it, so a license expiring in three months still expires in three months after the name is corrected. If your expiry date is close, renewing in the same visit saves you a second trip.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Bringing a local civil registrar copy instead of a PSA copy. The PSA-authenticated copy is the standard requirement. Some offices accept a locally validated certificate where there is no PSA branch, but do not assume it will be accepted — confirm at your branch first.
Forgetting the birth certificate. Many applicants bring only the marriage certificate and their license, then discover the evaluator also wants the PSA birth certificate. Bring it.
Forgetting the Certificate of Finality. If your name change comes from a court order, the court order alone is not enough. The Certificate of Finality proves the decision is final, and without it the LTO will usually send you back to the court.
Not checking the new card before leaving. Spelling errors happen. Check the name on your new license at the counter, letter by letter, before you walk out. If you are also updating your address at the same time, that is a separate Revision of Records item — our change of address guide explains what that update needs, so you can prepare both changes in one visit if your office allows it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my surname on my license after getting married?
No. Under Article 370 of the Civil Code, a married woman may use her husband’s surname, but she is not required to. Keeping your maiden name is lawful. You only need an LTO change of name driver’s license if you decide to use your married name and want your license to match it.
How much is the fee for an LTO change of name driver’s license?
The commonly listed total for a Revision of Records on a valid license is ₱325 (₱225 replacement fee + ₱100 revision fee). A duplicate license with revision of records is commonly listed at ₱505. The cashier’s assessment is final, so bring a little extra cash.
Can I change my name on my license with only a marriage certificate from the local civil registrar?
The standard requirement is a PSA-authenticated marriage certificate. Where there is no PSA branch, some offices accept a marriage certificate validated by the local civil registrar together with the official receipt. Confirm at your branch first, because acceptance varies by office.
Do I need a medical certificate for a name change?
Not always. Some guides list a medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic, while others do not. Ask your branch in advance, or be ready to get one from a nearby accredited clinic if the evaluator asks.
Can I change my first name at the LTO?
Not directly. A minor correction of a first name, or of the day or month of birth, is done through the local civil registrar under Republic Act 9048 as amended by Republic Act 10172. A substantial change of name needs a court petition under Rule 103. The LTO can only update your license after the corrected record exists.
What if my license is expired when I apply for the name change?
You can renew at the same time, in the same visit. Extra renewal fees apply, and you will need to meet the renewal requirements. A name change on its own does not extend your license — the validity stays the same unless you renew.
How long does the name change take?
There is no fixed processing time for this transaction. It varies from one office to another depending on the queue and on whether your documents are complete. Go early, bring complete documents, and ask the evaluator at your office what to expect on the day.
Final Thoughts
An LTO change of name driver’s license is a small piece of paperwork with an outsized effect on your daily life. It lines up the name on the ID you use most often with the name on your marriage certificate, your court order, or your other records. Gather your PSA documents first, bring originals and photocopies, confirm the fee and the appointment setup at your branch, and check the spelling on your new card before you leave the office. If you want to confirm the latest procedures, the LTO official website is the place to check before your visit.
