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Name Change After Marriage Checklist
The agencies and accounts to update after the wedding, in the order that keeps applications from bouncing back.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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Paperlust and NewlyNamed give the same timeline for a name change: government updates take about 4 to 6 weeks, and finishing every personal account takes 2 to 3 months. Both also start at the Social Security Administration, and USAGov says other agencies learn of name changes through it. This list assumes a U.S. marriage and a name you have already decided to take. It leaves out divorce and court-order changes and state-specific forms, which you should confirm with your local agency.
Why these items are on the list
- Order 2-3 certified marriage certificates. Paperlust says at least two, preferably three; some agencies keep the copy you hand over.
- Gather one unexpired photo ID. Both guides list a current license, state ID or passport as the ID for Social Security.
- Submit Form SS-5 to Social Security. Free, and your number stays the same. USAGov says to notify them early.
- Wait for Social Security to update. Paperlust says records usually update in 24-48 hours after an in-person visit.
- Update driver's license or state ID. Bring the certificate, proof of Social Security number and proof of address, per Paperlust and NewlyNamed.
- Upgrade to REAL ID at same visit. Both Paperlust and NewlyNamed suggest it, to avoid a second DMV trip.
- Update vehicle title and registration. Listed as its own step in NewlyNamed's ten-step order.
- Update your U.S. passport. Form depends on passport age: DS-5504, DS-82 or DS-11, per Paperlust and NewlyNamed.
- Hold passport change if travel booked. Paperlust says to delay it if flights are in your old name; name must match ID.
- Update voter registration. USAGov lists vote.gov or the National Mail Voter Registration form.
- Report change to your post office. USAGov says to tell the local post office that delivers your mail.
- Confirm Social Security before filing taxes. USAGov: every name on a return must match Social Security records.
- Update bank accounts and debit cards. Paperlust suggests going in with your new license and certified certificate.
- Update credit cards. Paperlust says account number and credit history stay the same; only the name changes.
- Check credit bureau files. Paperlust says to update all three bureaus if card issuers do not do it.
- Update investment and retirement accounts. Paperlust says each custodian usually has its own form needing the certificate.
- Review beneficiary designations. Paperlust calls a name change a good prompt to check who inherits.
- Tell employer and insurers. NewlyNamed lists employer and insurance among the personal accounts to update.
- Notify Veterans Affairs, if applicable. USAGov says to notify the VA if you receive veterans health care or benefits.
- Update naturalization or citizenship certificate. USAGov says apply online at USCIS.gov or by mail.
- Contact state benefits office, if applicable. USAGov names SNAP and TANF as programs to notify.
- Notify state and property tax offices. USAGov says to tell your state taxing authority and, if you own a home, the city or county.
Guides on this topic run as long articles that mix federal, state and personal steps in prose. A tickable list lets you mark off each agency as it is done, which helps when the job stretches over two to three months. Shared with your spouse, the same list shows who has handled which account.
When to use it
Use it in the weeks after the wedding, once your certified marriage certificate copies have arrived.