How to Change Your Name in West Virginia

A West Virginia name change requires different steps depending on your situation. Whether you're updating your name after marriage, divorce, through a court order, for a minor, or as part of a gender identity transition, the process follows specific legal requirements that vary by type. Marriage-based name changes use your marriage certificate as proof, while other situations require filing a petition with your county's circuit court.

Quick Facts: West Virginia Name Change

Court Filing Fee	Varies by county — check with your local circuit court
Timeline	30-90 days from filing to final order
Driver's License Fee	$7.50 for replacement license
Publication Requirement	Yes, for court-ordered name changes (additional cost)
Court Jurisdiction	Circuit court in your county of residence

Marriage Name Change in West Virginia

If you're changing your name after marriage in West Virginia, you don't need to go to court. Your certified marriage certificate serves as legal proof of your name change for all agencies and institutions.

Step 1: Get Your Certified Marriage Certificate
Request certified copies from the West Virginia Vital Registration Office or your county clerk. You'll need multiple copies — at least 3-5 certified copies for various agencies. The fee is $12.00 per certified copy for marriages after 1964.

Step 2: Update Social Security First
Visit your local Social Security office within 30 days of your marriage with your certified marriage certificate, current driver's license, and Social Security card. This Social Security name change is free and takes 2-4 weeks for your new card to arrive.

Step 3: Update Your West Virginia Driver's License
Once you receive your updated Social Security card, visit the DMV with your marriage certificate, new Social Security card, current license, and proof of residency. The replacement license fee is $7.50, and your new card arrives by mail in 1-4 weeks.

Step 4: Update Your Passport
For passport name changes, use Form DS-82 if your name change occurred within one year of passport issuance. Otherwise, you'll need to apply in person using Form DS-11. The fee is $130 for a passport book.

Step 5: Update Other Documents
Use your marriage certificate to update your name with banks, credit cards, voter registration, and your employer. Keep several certified copies on hand — some institutions require originals.

Divorce Name Change in West Virginia

West Virginia allows you to restore your prior name during divorce proceedings or petition for a different name entirely. The process depends on whether name restoration is included in your divorce decree.

Name Restoration in Divorce Decree
If your divorce decree includes name restoration language, use the certified divorce decree as proof of your name change. Request multiple certified copies from the circuit court clerk — you'll need them for updating your documents with various agencies.

Separate Name Change Petition
If name restoration wasn't included in your divorce, you'll need to file a separate petition for name change with the circuit court. This follows the same process as a court-ordered name change, including publication requirements and a hearing.

Either way, start by updating your name with Social Security first, then proceed to your driver's license, passport, and other documents. Most agencies require your updated Social Security card as proof before processing your name change.

Court-Ordered Name Change in West Virginia

The entire court process typically takes 30-90 days from filing to receiving your final order. No lawyer is required, though some people choose to hire one for complex situations.

Minor Name Change in West Virginia

Changing a minor's name in West Virginia requires court approval and follows specific consent requirements based on the child's family situation.

Both Parents Living and Married/Divorced
If both parents are living, both must consent to the name change unless one parent's rights have been terminated. This includes biological parents, adoptive parents, and sometimes stepparents who have legally adopted the child.

Single Parent or Guardian
If only one parent has custody or if the other parent's whereabouts are unknown, the petitioning parent must demonstrate reasonable efforts to locate and notify the absent parent. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child's interests.

Required Documents
The petition must include the child's birth certificate, consent forms from both parents (if applicable), reasons for the name change, and verification that the change serves the child's best interests. Publication in a local newspaper is typically required.

Court Hearing
A judge will review the petition and may require a hearing. For children over 14, the court often considers the child's preferences. The judge's primary concern is whether the name change serves the child's best interests.

Once approved, use the certified court order to update the child's Social Security card, school records, medical records, and other documents. Start with Social Security, as most other institutions require the updated card as proof.

Gender Identity Name Change in West Virginia

West Virginia recognizes name changes as part of gender identity transitions, and the process follows the same court petition requirements as other adult name changes. The state also allows gender marker changes on certain documents.

Name Change Process
File a petition with your county's circuit court following the standard court-ordered name change process. You'll need to publish notice in a local newspaper and attend a hearing. Judges typically approve name changes that align with gender identity when the petition demonstrates genuine intent.

Driver's License Gender Marker
West Virginia may allow gender marker changes on driver's licenses with appropriate documentation. Requirements can include a court order for name and gender marker change or an amended birth certificate. Contact your local DMV office for current requirements, as policies evolve.

Birth Certificate Amendment
West Virginia birth certificate gender marker changes require a court order. The process involves petitioning the circuit court with supporting documentation, which may include medical records or affidavits from healthcare providers familiar with your transition.

Federal Documents
Your court order allows you to update your Social Security card and passport. The Social Security Administration and U.S. Department of State have their own policies for gender marker changes, which may require different documentation than West Virginia requires.

Consider working with healthcare providers familiar with gender transition documentation, as they can provide letters and affidavits that support your court petition. Many courts handle these cases with sensitivity and respect for your identity.

Updating Your Documents After the Court Order

Once you have your certified court order, update your name with these agencies and institutions in this recommended order:

1. Social Security Administration — Visit in person with your court order, current Social Security card, and photo ID. This Social Security name change is free and takes 2-4 weeks.
2. West Virginia DMV — Update your driver's license with your court order, new Social Security card, current license, and proof of residency. Fee is $7.50 for a replacement license.
3. U.S. Passport — Use Form DS-82 or DS-11 depending on your current passport status. See our passport name change guide for details.
4. IRS — File Form 8822 to notify the IRS of your name change, or wait until your next tax return filing.
5. Voter Registration — Update your voter registration with your county clerk using your court order.
6. U.S. Postal Service — Update your name at your local post office and set up mail forwarding if needed.
7. Banks and Credit Cards — Contact each financial institution with your court order to update accounts and cards.
8. Employer — Provide HR with your court order to update payroll, benefits, and tax withholding.
9. Insurance Companies — Update health, auto, and other insurance policies with your court order.
10. Professional Licenses — Contact relevant licensing boards to update professional licenses and certifications.

Keep multiple certified copies of your court order — some institutions require originals and won't accept photocopies.

West Virginia DMV Name Change

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles requires in-person visits for name changes on driver's licenses and state IDs. No appointments are necessary at most locations, but processing takes 1-4 weeks for your new card to arrive by mail.

What to Bring
You'll need your current West Virginia driver's license or state ID, your name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), your updated Social Security card, proof of West Virginia residency, and $7.50 for the replacement license fee.

The Process
Visit any DMV office and complete the application on site. Present your documents, pay the fee, and take a new photo. You'll receive a temporary paper license immediately, and your permanent card arrives by mail in 1-4 weeks.

Real ID Considerations
If you're upgrading to a Real ID (recommended for domestic air travel), bring additional documents: your birth certificate or passport, Social Security card, and two proofs of West Virginia residency.

Contact Information
Find DMV locations and hours at transportation.wv.gov/DMV or call 304-558-3900. Most offices accept walk-ins, but check current hours before visiting.

Last verified: 2026-03-28