Name change after marriage in Maryland

Tick the steps as you go: the checklist is saved in this browser only.

Marriage certificate

• The Maryland Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records issues certified copies for marriages on or after January 1, 2007.⁵
• For a Maryland marriage before 2007, the copy comes from the circuit court of the county where the marriage took place or from the Maryland State Archives.⁵
• Maryland Vital Records charges a nonrefundable $12 for each certified copy of a marriage certificate.⁶
• Maryland releases a marriage certificate to either spouse, to a representative carrying a notarized letter from a spouse, or to an attorney for a spouse.⁵
• Maryland Vital Records keeps the fee if no record is found and sends a Certification of Record Search instead.⁵

Driver's license

• Maryland law requires a licensed driver whose name changes by marriage to notify the Motor Vehicle Administration in writing within 30 days, with the former name, the new name and the license number.¹
• When the Maryland MVA asks a driver to surrender the old card to record a change, it issues a free temporary license good for up to 20 days.¹
• The Maryland MVA asks drivers to update their name with Social Security at least 72 hours before the MVA appointment.²
• A name change on a Maryland license is done in person at an MVA branch office, with an appointment made online.²
• The Maryland MVA wants the original or a certified copy of the name change document and does not accept photocopies.²
• A valid U.S. passport already in the new name spares a Maryland driver from showing other name change documents at the MVA.²
• The Maryland MVA fee table lists $30 for a corrected driver license.³

Voter registration

• Maryland voters can change the name on their registration through the state’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) or by telling the local board of elections.⁸
• The Maryland State Board of Elections also takes changes on a voter registration application or on any signed written notice.⁸
• A Maryland registration stays valid while the voter lives in the state and keeps the name and address on it current.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.⁷
• 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 Maryland 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.