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.
Which agencies to update, and in what order
Update Social Security first, then your state ID, then your passport. Social Security is the federal record other agencies check. Go to the DMV after Social Security has finished your update. After the government IDs, you'll update banks, work, and the rest. Our checklist has the full list.
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 2026-10-19.
Key facts
| Stop | Form or page | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Legal proof | Marriage certificate, court decree, or restoration order | Court or copy fees, by path |
| 2. Social Security | Social Security name-change page | Free (source: Social Security) |
| 3. State ID | Your state motor-vehicle agency. California: DMV | California set by the DMV |
| 4. Passport | State Department passport name-change page | See the State Department fees page (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html) |
| 5. Voter registration | Vote.gov | See Vote.gov |
Steps
- Get the legal paper first. You need the document that already changed your name. The California Courts ID-update page says there is no one office that updates every record.
- Social Security before the DMV. 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. Start at the Social Security name-change page.
- Passport when you are ready to travel on the new name. Use the passport form guide. Take the same legal paper Social Security accepted.
- Social Security before your tax return. The IRS says all the names on your tax return must match Social Security records. Form 8822 is for a change to your home mailing address.
- Update your voter record. Vote.gov is the federal starting point for registration updates.
- Then banks, work, and the rest. After the government IDs, you'll update banks, work, and the rest. Our checklist has the full list.
What differs by state
Social Security and the passport are federal. The driver-license step is your state. Certified-copy prices differ by state. Check the court or vital-records office.
| State | What to check | Official page | State guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Filing fee $435 ($450 in Riverside and San Francisco counties) (source: California Courts, https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/name-change; county amounts: statewide civil fee schedule). | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
Free official help
Use the agency page for that stop. For the court paper that starts the list, use your court's self-help center.
Not legal advice. NewLastName is not a law firm, and not affiliated with any court or government agency.
Common questions
Why does Social Security come before the DMV?
California Courts says to update your Social Security card before you change your driver's license, because the DMV checks your information with the Social Security Administration before it updates your ID. Other state motor-vehicle agencies run their own checks, and what they ask to see varies by state, so the state agency's own page lists its current requirements.
Source: California Courts: update your documents
How long does the new Social Security card take to arrive?
The Social Security Administration says that after it completes your request, the replacement card arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days. Depending on your situation, the change may be possible online; if not, it is done by appointment at a local office. Social Security does not charge a fee for the card, so there is no fee to waive.
Source: Social Security: change your name; California Courts: update your documents
Do my records update automatically once I have the court order or marriage certificate?
No. California Courts says there is no one place to update all your records. Each agency is contacted separately to update your information and get a new card or document issued. That includes Social Security, the motor-vehicle agency, vital records, and the passport office. Banks, employers, and other private accounts are also updated one at a time.
Also on this site
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.
- 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.
- About Form 8822, Change of Address (address changes only) (Internal Revenue Service) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Update my information (Internal Revenue Service) Last checked 2026-10-22.
- Register to vote or update your registration (Vote.gov) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- California DMV (California Department of Motor Vehicles) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Update your identity documents (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-10.
Not legal advice. NewLastName is not a law firm, and not affiliated with any court or government agency.