37 TAC § 15.23. Names

The applicant's full name is required on all applications for a driver license or identification certificate. No name will be used that has not been documented. This section is applicable to male and female applicants.

(1) An applicant may choose to use any birth surname, adopt the surname of his or her spouse, adopt the surname of a previous spouse, or adopt a hyphenated version of his or her surname and a spouse's surname. If a married applicant elects not to adopt a spouse's surname, the name will be listed as if unmarried on the application. If an applicant elects to adopt a spouse's surname, the application should list married name, first name, and middle name, or the applicant's birth surname may be used in lieu of middle name at the option of the applicant. An applicant with multiple surnames may choose the surname that is used. An applicant with a hyphenated surname may choose to use only one of the names as a surname. 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.

(A) When a change of name occurs as a result of marriage, divorce, annulment, or by the death of a spouse, the licensee may choose to keep the married name, revert to the birth surname, or adopt a previous spouse's surname. If the name is changed for reasons other than those set out in this subparagraph, a court order from a court of record 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.

(2) Foreign language names will be spelled as they appear on the identification documents presented. For example, Perez, Juan must be used on the license or certificate. The English version (Perez, John) will not be substituted for the actual name.

(3) Ecclesiastical names such as Brother Thomas, Sister Mary, or Father Kelly are not used.