General information, not legal advice. NewLastName isn't a law firm, doesn't give legal advice about your situation, and doesn't refer you to lawyers.
How to change your name after marriage
A marriage name change usually starts with a certified marriage certificate, not a new court case. In California the new middle or last name has to be on the marriage license before the wedding, and it has to come from your name or your spouse's. Start with Social Security; everything else checks against it.
Last checked: 2026-10-10 for the court and agency pages linked here. California's filing fee was checked on the statewide civil fee schedule on 2026-10-12. Other fee figures in tables come from our state cost file, last verified 2026-10-12 (Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. filing fees in that file were verified 2026-10-09). Newspaper and certified-copy amounts were not re-checked against every county fee schedule.
Key facts
| What it costs | What you need |
|---|---|
| California court filing fee for this path | None. This path has no court case; the marriage certificate is the document. |
| Certified marriage-certificate copies | Most people order 3 certified copies, so they can send one away while keeping one in hand. The county recorder or vital-records office sets the price. |
| California DMV fee | set by the DMV |
| Social Security card | Free (source: Social Security) |
| Where the new name is chosen in California | On the marriage-license application, before the ceremony |
Steps
- Put the name on the license first, in California. The California Courts marriage name-change page says you may change a middle or last name by listing it on the marriage license. The new name has to be your spouse's current or former name, a birth name, or a combination of your names. You cannot add it after the ceremony. The county clerk issues the license, not the court.
- Get a certified marriage certificate. Agencies want a certified copy, not a souvenir photocopy. Order it from the vital records office that holds the record.
- Update Social Security. The Social Security name-change page says you request a replacement card. Some people can do that online. Others make an appointment, or mail or take a signed Form SS-5 with their documents to a Social Security office; Social Security returns the documents. After Social Security finishes the request, the card arrives by mail in 5–10 business days (source: Social Security).
- Then the state ID, then the passport. Do Social Security first. Most DMVs check your name against Social Security's records, so go after Social Security has finished your update. Check your state DMV's page for whether they want the new card or the SSA receipt. In California, start at the DMV. Which passport form you use is on the passport form guide.
When the license is not enough
The California page says a name that is not tied to yours or your spouse's has to go through court. The short answer on this site is do you need a court order after marriage. The California Courts name-change page describes the court path: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/name-change.
What differs by state
Marriage-license rules are state rules. This guide states the California rule. Use your state hub for the local license rule.
| State | Official page | State guide |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| California | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Florida | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Georgia | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Illinois | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Massachusetts | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Michigan | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| New Jersey | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| New York | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| North Carolina | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Ohio | See the state guide | State guide · Court petition page |
| Pennsylvania | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Texas | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Virginia | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Washington | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Washington, D.C. | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
Free official help
For the license, ask the county clerk or recorder where you will apply. For the court path, use the superior court's self-help center. This page does not send you to a private lawyer.
Also on this site
- Name-change cost
- Cost calculator
- California name-change cost
- Texas name-change cost
- How long a California name change takes
- Marriage and a court order
- All name-change guides
- Order of agencies
- Which passport form
- Documents needed
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.
- Change your name when you get married (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-10.
- Change your name with Social Security (Social Security Administration) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Name change for a U.S. passport or correct an error (U.S. Department of State) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- California DMV (California Department of Motor Vehicles) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- About Form 8822, Change of Address (address changes only) (Internal Revenue Service) Last checked 2026-10-09.
General information, not legal advice. NewLastName isn't a law firm, doesn't give legal advice about your situation, and doesn't refer you to lawyers.