Start with your marriage certificate

Your certified marriage certificate is the document that proves you are legally married and is required by almost every agency and institution you will contact. You need an official copy — not a photocopy, not the one from your wedding ceremony — issued by the county or state where you were married. Order this first, before you do anything else, because you will need it for everything that follows.

Most counties issue certified copies for $10 to $25 and mail them within one to two weeks. Some allow you to order online through their vital records office; others require you to mail a form or visit in person. Search "[your county] vital records" or "[your state] vital records" to find the exact office and process. Order at least three or four certified copies — you will use them for your Social Security card, driver's license, passport, bank accounts, and employer records, and some institutions keep the original.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a certified marriage certificate from the county where you were married, not the ceremonial copy you received at your wedding.
  • Your Social Security card must be updated before you change your driver's license, because the DMV will verify your name against Social Security records.
  • A new or updated passport requires your certified marriage certificate and a completed process form, and processing takes several weeks.
  • Banks, employers, and insurance companies each need proof of your name change, usually a certified marriage certificate or a copy of your updated ID.
  • You do not need a court order to change your name after marriage in most states — your marriage certificate is the legal proof.

Social Security card comes before your driver's license

Update your Social Security card before you change your driver's license. The DMV checks your name against Social Security records, and if they do not match, the DMV will reject your process or issue a license that does not reflect your legal name. Go to your local Social Security office with your certified marriage certificate and your current Social Security card. You will fill out Form SS-5 (process for a Social Security Card) and receive a new card in the mail within two weeks.

You do not need an appointment at most Social Security offices, but wait times can be long. Bring your certified marriage certificate, your current Social Security card, and a photo ID (your current driver's license works). If you are changing your name but keeping your Social Security number, the process is straightforward. If you want a new number for privacy reasons, you can request that on the same form, though Social Security discourages it and the process takes longer.

Driver's license and state ID

Once your Social Security card arrives, visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to update your driver's license or state ID. Bring your certified marriage certificate, your new Social Security card, your current driver's license, and proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease works). You will fill out a name-change form specific to your state — search "[your state] DMV name change" to find the exact form and whether you can do it online, by mail, or only in person.

Some states charge a small fee ($10 to $30) for a replacement license; others do not. Processing time ranges from same-day (if you go in person) to two weeks by mail. Your new license will have your married name and a new number in most states, though some states keep your old number. Ask the DMV clerk which applies in your state.

Passport and travel documents

If you have a U.S. passport, you must update it to match your legal name. You cannot travel internationally with a passport that does not match your current legal name. Submit your current passport, a completed Form DS-11 (process for a U.S. Passport) or DS-82 (U.S. Passport Renewal process), your certified marriage certificate, and a new passport photo to a passport acceptance facility or passport agency.

If your passport is still valid and you are only changing your name (not renewing it), you can use the simpler DS-82 form and mail it in, which takes four to six weeks. If you need the passport sooner or your passport is expiring, you must explore in person using DS-11, which takes one to two weeks. Passport agencies are located in major cities; search "passport acceptance facility near me" to find the nearest location that accepts applications. Bring all documents in person — you cannot mail in a name-change process.

Bank accounts, credit cards, and financial records

Contact each bank, credit card company, and financial institution where you hold accounts. Most allow you to update your name online through their website, by phone, or by visiting a branch in person. You will typically need to provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate or a photo of your updated driver's license. Some institutions ask for both.

Update your name with your bank before you update it with credit reporting agencies, because banks report your name to those agencies. Once your bank has your new name on file, the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — will receive the update automatically. You can also contact them directly with a certified marriage certificate if you want to speed up the process, but it is not necessary.

Employer, insurance, and benefits records

Tell your employer's human resources department about your name change so they can update your payroll records, tax forms (W-4), and I-9 employment verification. Bring a certified marriage certificate or a copy of your updated driver's license. Your employer will use your new name on your W-2 form at the end of the year, and it must match the name on your Social Security card.

Update your name with your health insurance provider, car insurance, homeowner's or renter's insurance, and life insurance. Contact each company's customer service line or log into your online account. You will need to provide a certified marriage certificate or a copy of your updated ID. If you have a will, power of attorney, or beneficiary designations, review those documents and update your name there as well — contact your attorney or the institution holding those documents for instructions.

Court order: when you need one and when you do not

In most states, you do not need a court order to change your name after marriage. Your certified marriage certificate is the legal proof of your name change. However, some states require you to file your marriage certificate with the court or register it with a specific office before you can use it to change your name with government agencies. Search "[your state] name change after marriage" to find out whether your state has this requirement.

If you are changing your name for any reason other than marriage — divorce, personal choice, or other circumstances — you will need a court order. That is a different process and requires filing a petition with your local court. This article covers name changes after marriage only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my name after marriage?

No. Changing your name after marriage is optional in all U.S. states. You can keep your maiden name, use a hyphenated name, or take your spouse's name. If you do change your name, you follow the process in this article. If you do not change your name, you do not need to do anything.

Can I change my name to something other than my spouse's last name?

Yes, but the process is different. If you want to change your name to something other than your spouse's last name, you will need a court order, not just a marriage certificate. You must file a petition for name change with your local court. Search "[your county] petition for name change" to find the form and filing fee in your area.

How long does it take to change my name everywhere?

Social Security takes one to two weeks, the DMV takes one to two weeks, and banks usually update within a few days to a week. Passport processing takes one to six weeks depending on whether you explore in person or by mail. Plan for the entire process to take four to eight weeks from the time you order your certified marriage certificate.

What if I got married outside the United States?

You will need an official certified copy of your marriage certificate from the country where you were married, translated into English by a certified translator if it is in another language. The U.S. State Department website has a list of certified translators by country. The rest of the process is the same — Social Security, DMV, passport, and financial institutions.

Do I need to update my name with the IRS?

The IRS will receive your new name from Social Security automatically once you update your Social Security card. You do not need to contact the IRS separately. Make sure your employer has your new name so your W-2 matches your Social Security records at the end of the year.