Name Change After Marriage, Made Simple
Every form, every agency, every step — we'll walk you through it.
Changing your name after marriage means updating your information with several government agencies — Social Security (Form SS-5), the DMV, U.S. Passport (DS-82 or DS-11), voter registration, and more. Most people have everything updated. Check with each agency.
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Your Marriage Name Change Checklist
Tackle them in order — your Social Security card is the key that unlocks everything else.
Form SS-5, free, 5-10 business days by mail after SSA processes your request. Must be done first.
DMV with new SS card + marriage certificate. Fee set by your DMV (state DMV directory).
DS-82 ($130) or DS-11: $130 + $35 acceptance fee ($165 total). See State Dept processing times. DS-5504 is free if your passport is <1 year old.
No separate IRS form for most people: the IRS matches your next return to Social Security records. Free.
Online in most states. Free. Some states bundle this with your DMV update.
Forward mail still arriving in your prior name. Check the vital records office.
Marriage certificate + new license at the branch. No fee. Same day.
Call the customer service line on each card. New cards arrive. Check your state's DMV.
Payroll, benefits, W-2s. Bring a copy of your marriage certificate.
Health, auto, home/renters, and life. Contact each provider directly.
Electric, gas, water, internet, cell, streaming. Most online or by phone.
Medical, legal, real estate, etc. Contact your licensing board to update.
The First Three Steps in Detail
These three are the bottleneck — once they're done, everything else can happen in parallel.
Step 1: Social Security — Your First Stop
Your Social Security update must come first because every other agency will ask for your updated Social Security card as proof of your name change. The process is completely free and straightforward.
You'll complete Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card) and mail it or take it to your local Social Security office. Bring your certified marriage certificate, a government-issued photo ID showing your prior name, and your current Social Security card if you have it.
The Social Security Administration doesn't accept photocopies of marriage certificates — it must be a certified copy from the vital records office where you were married. If you got married in another state, you can order a certified copy online from that state's vital records department.
Most people receive their new Social Security card within 5-10 business days by mail after SSA processes your request of their visit. Your number stays the same; only the name on the card changes. Once the new card arrives, you can move on to your driver's license and everything else.
There's no fee for updating your name with Social Security after marriage.
Step 2: Update Your Driver's License
After your new Social Security card arrives, head to your local DMV to update your driver's license or state ID. You'll need the new SS card, certified marriage certificate, and current driver's license.
DMV fees vary significantly by state. Check your state's DMV. Most states issue your new license the same day; a few mail it within the required time. Check your state's DMV.
Each state has slightly different requirements. California residents can find specific instructions here, while Texas residents should check our Texas guide. Florida and New York also have detailed state-specific guides.
Some states allow you to update your voter registration at the same time you update your driver's license — ask at the DMV office.
Step 3: Passport Name Change
Your passport update depends on when it was issued and whether you're renewing or applying new.
For most people, you'll use Form DS-82 to renew by mail ($130 fee) or Form DS-11 to apply in person ($130 + $35 acceptance fee ($165 total)). The DS-82 renewal option is available if your current passport is undamaged and was issued within the last 15 years when you were 16 or older.
Standard processing varies in length; you can pay an additional $60 for expedited service. Check with each agency. If you have international travel planned, apply well in advance or expedite.
You'll include your current passport, certified marriage certificate, and a new passport photo with your application. Our complete passport guide walks you through each form and requirement in detail.
What Documents You'll Need
Gather these before you start. Order 3-5 certified copies of your marriage certificate — every agency wants its own.
- Certified Marriage Certificate. Order multiple certified copies (3-5) from the vital records office where you were married. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Government-Issued Photo ID. Your current driver's license, state ID, or passport showing your prior name.
- Birth Certificate. Some agencies request this as additional verification. Not always required.
- Current Social Security Card. If you have it. Not required — SSA can still process your name change if it's lost.
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship. Usually your birth certificate or current U.S. passport. Required for passport applications.
How Long Does a Marriage Name Change Take?
Check with each agency. The bottleneck is your Social Security card; once it arrives, most other updates can happen in parallel.
| Agency / Organization | Processing Time | When You Can Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security Administration | 5-10 business days by mail after SSA processes your request | Immediately after marriage |
| DMV (Driver's License) | Same day | After receiving new SS card |
| U.S. Passport | Varies (varies expedited) | After receiving new SS card |
| Voter Registration | Varies; check travel.state.gov processing times | After receiving new driver's license |
| Banks | Same day | After receiving new driver's license |
| Credit Cards | Varies for new cards | After receiving new driver's license |
| Insurance Companies | Varies by company; check with your insurer. | After receiving new driver's license |
Find your state guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to change your name after marriage?
The government fees: Social Security card update is free, DMV fees are set by your DMV, and passport renewal is $130 (DS-82) or $130 + $35 acceptance fee ($165 total) (DS-11 for new applications).
How long does it take to change your name after marriage?
The full process varies in length. Check with each agency. Social Security processes name changes in 5-10 business days by mail after SSA processes your request. Your new driver's license is usually same-day or mailed within the required time. Check your state's DMV. Passport timing depends on current State Dept processing times. You can start as soon as you have your marriage certificate.
Do I have to change my name after getting married?
No. Changing your name after marriage is completely optional. Either spouse can change their name, both can, or neither has to. There is no legal requirement, and keeping your current name has no effect on the validity of your marriage.
What is the first thing I should change after getting married?
Start with Social Security. Every other agency — DMV, passport, banks, employer — will need your Social Security record to match your new name first. Visit your local Social Security office with your marriage certificate, current ID, and Form SS-5.
Can I change my name after marriage without a court order?
Yes. A marriage certificate is all you need to change your name with Social Security, DMV, passport, and most other agencies. A court order is only needed if you want to change your name to something other than your spouse's last name.
Can I hyphenate my last name after marriage?
Yes. Most states allow you to hyphenate (e.g., Smith-Jones) using just your marriage certificate. Some states have specific rules — check your state guide for details.
What documents do I need to change my name after marriage?
A certified copy of your marriage certificate (not a photocopy), your current government-issued photo ID, your birth certificate, and your current Social Security card. For passport changes, you'll also need a passport photo.
Can both spouses change their names after marriage?
Yes. Both spouses can change their names. One can take the other's name, both can hyphenate, or both can choose a shared new surname. The process is the same regardless of who is changing.
Can I change my middle name when I change my last name?
Yes. Many people move their prior last name to the middle name slot, or pick an entirely new middle name. Include any middle-name change on every form you file.
Can we choose a completely new last name for both of us?
In most states, yes. You can choose any new surname together as long as it's not for fraudulent purposes. A few states require a separate court-ordered name change for this rather than the standard marriage name change.
Can I change my name back to my prior name after divorce?
Yes. You can revert to your prior name as part of your divorce decree or through a separate process afterward. Most states make this straightforward — see our divorce name change guide for the steps.
Do I need to update my name if I'm getting remarried?
Yes, if you want to take your new spouse's name. Follow the standard marriage name change process — your new marriage certificate is the legal documentation.
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)
- Replace your Social Security card (card mailed 5-10 business days after processing) (Social Security Administration)
- Name change for a U.S. passport or correct an error (U.S. Department of State)
- About Form 8822, Change of Address (address changes only) (Internal Revenue Service)
Links checked 2026-10-09.
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Last verified 2026-04-25 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy