Name change services in California, compared
Last updated
As of November 3, 2026, a name change kit after marriage in California costs $34.95 at SimplePaperwork, $49.99 to $129.99 at HitchSwitch and $99.00 for the NewlyNamed Box. Doing it yourself costs nothing in forms: Social Security charges nothing for the new card. California checks a new married name against Social Security before it issues a license; the DMV visit is in person and the change fee is $37.
| Company | What you buy | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SimplePaperwork | Name change kit for California: federal forms filled in with your details, the California step-by-step checklist and notification letters. | $34.95 |
| HitchSwitch | Print At Home package. Source, read Nov 3, 2026 | $49.99 |
| HitchSwitch | Full Service package. Source, read Nov 3, 2026 | $79.99 |
| HitchSwitch | Platinum package (Platinum + is $129.99). Source, read Nov 3, 2026 | $109.99 |
| NewlyNamed | NewlyNamed Box, a personalized name change kit. Source, read Nov 3, 2026 | $99.00 |
| MissNowMrs | Online name change service. Source, read Nov 3, 2026 | Not shown on the home page |
| Do it yourself | Official rules and forms from the California Department of Motor Vehicles; you fill them in | $0 in forms |
What the free options do not cover
Social Security, the California license office and the passport office publish their forms for free, so doing it yourself costs nothing in forms. The free forms do not fill themselves in or put the California steps in order; the kit fills in the federal forms with your details and gives you the checklist and the letters. Agency fees are the same whichever way you go.
One-time payment at SimplePaperwork. Full refund within 7 days of purchase, no questions asked. Each competitor price comes from that company’s own page, read on the date shown; we do not estimate what a page does not say.
Federal forms filled in with your details, your state’s step-by-step checklist and notification letters.