Name change after marriage in District of Columbia

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Marriage certificate

• In the District of Columbia, the Marriage Bureau of the DC Superior Court issues both marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage records.⁵
• The DC Superior Court Marriage Bureau files and keeps every District of Columbia marriage record from 1811 to the present.⁵
• The DC Marriage Bureau sits in Room JM-690 of the Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue NW.⁵
• The DC Superior Court lists a separate Marriage Bureau email address, [email protected], for certified copies of marriage licenses.⁵

Driver's license

• The DC Department of Motor Vehicles requires a new name to be changed with the Social Security Administration before it goes on a District license.¹
• A DC name change is made at a DMV service center, where the driver shows the current DC license, permit or ID card and a certified marriage certificate.¹
• DC DMV accepts only original documents for a name change and refuses photocopies and scans.¹
• District drivers whose card has no REAL ID star must also bring proof of identity, Social Security number and DC residency when they change their name.¹
• DC DMV handles a license reissued for a new name as a duplicate, and the Social Security card has to carry the new name first.²
• The DC DMV fee table lists $20 for a duplicate driver license.³
• Since December 15, 2025, DC DMV has added a 2.5% service fee to every debit or credit card payment, online, in its app or at a counter.³

Voter registration

• District of Columbia voters can put a new name on an existing registration online until 21 days before Election Day.⁷
• The DC Board of Elections takes registration updates online, on its paper application by mail, email or fax, or in person.⁸
• A signed DC registration form can go to the Board of Elections by mail, by fax or as a phone photo sent by email.⁸
• A DC registration update sent online or by mail that arrives after the 21st day before an election is not processed until that election is over.⁸
• After the DC deadlines pass, a voter can still register during early voting or on Election Day with proof of residence showing their name and District address.⁸

Social Security

• The Social Security Administration recommends updating your Social Security record before you go to your state motor vehicle office.⁴
• Social Security suggests waiting until the state has recorded the marriage, which takes about 30 days in most cases.⁴
• For proof of identity, Social Security prefers a U.S. driver license and also accepts a state ID card or a U.S. passport.⁴
• Social Security treats a marriage certificate as the ideal proof of both the new legal name and the marriage.⁴
• Social Security accepts only original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency, never photocopies or notarized copies.⁴
• Social Security does not charge for a card with the new name.⁶
• Once Social Security completes the request, the replacement card arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days.⁹
• People who cannot use Social Security’s online services fill in the paper Form SS-5 and show the required documents.¹⁰

Passport

• USAGov says to report a name change to the U.S. Department of State as soon as possible to get an updated passport.¹¹
• Form DS-5504 covers a name change by marriage when the passport was issued less than one year ago and the name changed within that year.¹²
• The U.S. Department of State charges no fee for Form DS-5504 unless the applicant asks for expedited service or 1–2 day delivery.¹²
• Form DS-82, the mail-in passport renewal, accepts a married name when the applicant sends certified proof such as a certified copy of the marriage certificate.¹³
• Renewing with Form DS-82 requires sending the most recent passport, issued when the applicant was at least 16 and less than 15 years ago.¹³
• An applicant who cannot document the name change with a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order must apply on Form DS-11 instead.¹³
• Form DS-11 is filed in person at a passport acceptance facility, at a passport agency by appointment, or at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.¹⁴

Voter registration

• A voter registration can be updated online through vote.gov or by mail with the National Mail Voter Registration Form.¹¹

Agencies

• USAGov advises telling Social Security early because other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA.¹¹
• Every name on a federal tax return must match Social Security records.¹¹

• Form SS-5 filled in from your answersYou print it, sign it and bring it to Social Security with your documents. The form itself is free on ssa.gov.
• The passport application for your case, filled inPicked from your answers about your current passport; the State Department’s fees are paid to the State Department. The application also needs a recent color photo, which the kit doesn’t include: U.S. passport photo rules, and a photo from a selfie.
• The District of Columbia checklistThe steps above in order, with the deadline, the fee and the official page for each one.
• Notification lettersFor your bank, employer, insurer and other accounts, with your old and new names.

The kit does not file anything for you and is not legal advice. Government fees, like the license fee and the county copy of your marriage record, are paid directly to each office.