You need a certified copy of your marriage certificate and a form from your state vital records office

Changing your name after marriage involves getting a certified copy of your marriage certificate, then using it to update your name with Social Security, your driver's license, and other agencies. The process is not automatic — you have to request it. Most states do not require a court order for a name change based on marriage, but a few do, and the steps vary by state.

Start by ordering a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the county clerk's office where you were married. You will need this document for every agency you contact. Then contact your state's vital records office (usually part of the health department) to confirm whether your state requires a court petition for a marriage-based name change. If it does, you will file that petition in the district court in your county before moving forward with other agencies.

Key Takeaways

  • Order a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the county clerk where you were married; you will need it for Social Security, your driver's license, and other agencies.
  • Some states require you to file a court petition for a name change based on marriage, while others allow you to change your name straightforward by presenting your marriage certificate.
  • Social Security must be updated first, because your Social Security card is the document most other agencies will ask for when you change your name with them.
  • Your driver's license, passport, and bank accounts all require separate requests; there is no single form that updates them all at once.
  • Keep copies of your marriage certificate and Social Security card with your name change documentation, because you will need to show them repeatedly.

Check whether your state requires a court petition

About half of U.S. states allow you to change your name based on marriage without filing a court petition — you straightforward present your marriage certificate to each agency. The other half require you to file a petition in district court first. Your state vital records office can tell you which applies to you in one phone call.

If your state requires a petition, you will file it in the district court in the county where you live. The court will assign a case number and may require you to publish a notice in a local newspaper (some states have waived this requirement). Once the court approves your petition, you will receive a certified copy of the court order, which you then use instead of your marriage certificate when updating your name with agencies.

If your state does not require a petition, you can skip directly to updating Social Security. Either way, keep the original certified marriage certificate or court order in a safe place — you will need it for years to come.

Update Social Security first

Contact the Social Security Administration and request a new Social Security card with your married name. You can do this in person at your local Social Security office, by mail, or online through your my Social Security account if you have one set up. Bring your certified marriage certificate (or court order if your state required one), your current Social Security card, and a photo ID.

Social Security will mail you a new card with your married name within two to three weeks. Update Social Security before you update your driver's license or other documents, because your Social Security card is the primary identity document most agencies will ask for when you request a name change.

Change your driver's license and state ID

Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles with your certified marriage certificate (or court order), your current driver's license, and a photo ID. Some states allow you to renew your license online or by mail if you are only changing your name, but most require an in-person visit. Check your state DMV website before you go.

The DMV will issue you a new license with your married name. This usually takes a few minutes if you are in person, or two to three weeks if you explore by mail. Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can use it for identification in the meantime.

Update your passport and travel documents

If you have a U.S. passport, you can update it by mail or in person. By mail, send your current passport, a completed Form DS-11 or DS-82 (depending on whether your passport is still valid), your certified marriage certificate, and a new passport photo to the address listed on the State Department website. Processing takes four to six weeks.

If you need your passport sooner, visit a passport acceptance facility or passport agency in person with the same documents. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks. If you have a passport card, you will need to renew it at the same time.

Notify your bank, employer, and insurance companies

Contact your bank and ask how to update your name on your checking and savings accounts. Most banks allow you to do this online, by phone, or in person. Bring your certified marriage certificate and a photo ID if you go in person. Your bank will issue you a new debit card and checks with your married name.

Notify your employer's human resources department of your name change so they can update your payroll records and W-2 forms. Contact your health insurance provider, car insurance, homeowner's or renter's insurance, and any other insurance policies you hold. Each company has its own process, but all will ask for your marriage certificate or a copy of it.

Update your name with your utility companies, credit card issuers, loan servicers, and any subscription services you use. This prevents confusion on bills and statements. Keep a list of every company you contact and the date you contacted them, in case you need to follow up.

Update voter registration and other government records

Contact your local election office or board of elections to update your voter registration with your married name. You can usually do this online through your state election website, or by mail or in person. Bring your marriage certificate and photo ID if you explore in person.

If you own property, contact your county assessor's office to update the name on your property records. If you have a professional license (nursing, teaching, law, real estate, etc.), contact the licensing board in your state to update your name. If you have a will or power of attorney, consult an attorney about whether those documents need to be updated or redrawn.

Keep organized records of your name change

Create a folder with copies of your certified marriage certificate, your new Social Security card, your new driver's license, and confirmation emails or letters from each agency you contact. This documentation proves your legal name change if any agency questions it later, and it saves you time if you need to update your name again with a new company.

The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks from start to finish, depending on how quickly you submit requests and how long each agency takes to process them. Some agencies move faster than others — Social Security and the DMV usually take two to three weeks, while banks and insurance companies may take longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my name when I get married?

No. You can keep your maiden name, use a hyphenated name, or choose a different name entirely. If you do not change your name, you do not need to do anything — your legal name stays the same. If you want to change it later, you can do so at any time by following the same process.

What if I got married in a different state than where I live now?

Order your certified marriage certificate from the county clerk in the state where you were married. Then follow the name-change process for the state where you currently live. Your marriage certificate is valid in all states.

Can I change my name back if I get divorced?

Yes. Your divorce decree usually includes a section where you can request a name change back to your maiden name or to any other legal name. If it does not, you can file a separate petition for a name change in court. The process is similar to changing your name after marriage.

What if an agency refuses to accept my marriage certificate as proof of my name change?

Ask the agency what documentation they do accept. If your state required a court petition, bring your certified court order instead. If the agency still refuses, ask to speak with a supervisor or contact your state's attorney general's office for guidance.

How much does it cost to change my name after marriage?

A certified copy of your marriage certificate costs between $10 and $25 depending on your state. Social Security charges nothing for a new card. Your state DMV charges a fee for a new license, usually $20 to $50. Most banks and insurance companies charge nothing to update your name. Court petition fees, if required, vary by state but typically range from $100 to $300.