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Current for 2026 · checked against the real .gov pages Last verified 2026-06-14

Name change after marriage: the exact order

Change your name in this order: certified marriage certificate → Social Security → driver's license / REAL ID → passport → everything else. The order matters because state DMVs verify your name against Social Security's records — change the DMV before SSA and your license or REAL ID can be rejected. The Social Security card is free, and the passport is free too if you're within one year of issuance.

Here because of a divorce instead?Going back to your name after divorce

Don't want to fill the SS-5 and passport form yourself? The Filled Packet ($59) fills them with your details and gives you a per-field answer key for your state's form. We never store your SSN.

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What order do I change my name in after marriage?

Take it one step at a time. Each one clears the way for the next, and we link the real .gov page behind every step so you walk in with exactly what they ask for.

  1. Get certified marriage certificates

    Order several certified copies of your marriage certificate from the vital-records office that recorded your marriage. Every agency requires an original or issuing-agency-certified copy — photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted.

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  2. Change your name with Social Security (free)

    Update your Social Security card first — it's free. State DMVs verify your name and SSN against SSA's records, so doing SSA first prevents your license/REAL ID from being rejected on a mismatch.

    Source

  3. Update your driver's license / REAL ID

    Apply for a REAL ID-compliant license at your state DMV with proof of your full legal name and a name-traceability document (your marriage certificate). Exact documents vary by state.

    Source

  4. Change your passport (mind the 1-year window)

    If your passport was issued less than a year ago, change the name free with Form DS-5504. Otherwise it's a paid renewal. You mail in your current passport, so don't start right before international travel.

    Source

  5. Update everything else

    Then update financial accounts, employer/payroll, insurance, voter registration, and memberships — these don't gate the others, so they come last.

    Source

Find your state's DMV steps

Social Security and your passport work the same everywhere. The one part that changes is the DMV, because each state runs it a little differently. We've checked the steps for a growing list of states against each state's own pages, so you get the version that actually applies to you.

Name change after marriage by state →

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Official sources

Every step is backed by an official government page — confirm the current rules on the source before you act.

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Answer a few quick questions and we'll show you the steps in order, each linked to the real .gov page. No account, no card.

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Is your situation a little different?

The order above covers most people. If one of these is you, start here instead — the steps change a bit:

Frequently asked questions

What order do I change my name in after marriage?
Certified marriage certificate first, then Social Security, then your driver's license / REAL ID, then your passport, then financial accounts and everything else. The order matters: change your DMV before SSA and the verification can fail.
How much does it cost to change your name after marriage?
The Social Security card is free. A passport name change is free within 1 year of issuance (DS-5504), otherwise a paid renewal. DMV/REAL ID fees vary by state. Total out-of-pocket is typically modest — and the government forms themselves are always free.
How long does a name change after marriage take?
SSA cites roughly 5–14 business days for the new card; a passport runs several weeks; the DMV is usually same-visit once your SSA record is updated. Plan the whole chain around any upcoming travel.
Do I have to change my name after marriage?
No. Changing your name is optional. If you keep your name, no government name-change steps are required. If you take a spouse's name or hyphenate, the marriage certificate is your legal basis.
Is there a deadline to change my name after marriage?
There's no hard federal deadline, but the free passport correction (DS-5504) is only available within 1 year of your passport's issuance — so timing matters if you have a recent passport.
Is the order the same for a divorce or other reason?
The order is the same — the only thing that changes is your name-change document. After a marriage it's your certified marriage certificate; after a divorce it's your certified decree. The Social-Security-first sequence is identical.

Not legal advice · Not a government service · Not affiliated with any government agency.