Name change after marriage in New Mexico

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Marriage certificate

• The New Mexico Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Records does not keep marriage licenses; copies come from the county clerk of the county that issued the license.³
• For questions about ordering a New Mexico marriage license copy, the state health department refers people to the county clerk.³

Driver's license

• Section 66-5-22 of the New Mexico Statutes gives a licensed driver whose name changes by marriage ten days to notify the Motor Vehicle Division.¹
• New Mexico law has the driver hand the license to the Motor Vehicle Division so the new name can be put on the license itself, and lets the division ask for the evidence it finds satisfactory.¹
• Missing the New Mexico name-change notice is a penalty assessment misdemeanor.¹
• Section 66-5-20 lets a New Mexico driver get a replacement license after a name change by paying the required fee and proving age and identity.¹
• New Mexico law sets the base fee for a duplicate driver’s license at $10, or $20 for a license issued for eight years.¹
• A New Mexico duplicate license also carries a $3 driver safety fee, or $6 for an eight-year license.¹
• The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division director, with the governor’s approval, may raise these license fees by up to $3 for the enhanced driver’s license system.¹

Voter registration

• New Mexico voters with a current or expired New Mexico state ID, such as a driver’s license, can change the name on their registration online.⁵
• On paper, a New Mexico voter who changes names files a new voter registration form with the county clerk or the Secretary of State.⁵
• New Mexico closes voter registration 28 days before an election, and same-day registration is also available.⁶
• A New Mexico MVD license or ID is needed only for online registration; paper forms work without one.⁶

Social Security

• The Social Security Administration recommends updating your Social Security record before you go to your state motor vehicle office.²
• Social Security suggests waiting until the state has recorded the marriage, which takes about 30 days in most cases.²
• For proof of identity, Social Security prefers a U.S. driver license and also accepts a state ID card or a U.S. passport.²
• Social Security treats a marriage certificate as the ideal proof of both the new legal name and the marriage.²
• Social Security accepts only original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency, never photocopies or notarized copies.²
• Social Security does not charge for a card with the new name.⁴
• Once Social Security completes the request, the replacement card arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days.⁷
• People who cannot use Social Security’s online services fill in the paper Form SS-5 and show the required documents.⁸

Passport

• USAGov says to report a name change to the U.S. Department of State as soon as possible to get an updated passport.⁹
• 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.¹⁰
• 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.¹⁰
• 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.¹¹
• 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.¹¹
• 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.¹¹
• 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.¹²

Voter registration

• A voter registration can be updated online through vote.gov or by mail with the National Mail Voter Registration Form.⁹

Agencies

• USAGov advises telling Social Security early because other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA.⁹
• Every name on a federal tax return must match Social Security records.⁹

• 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 New Mexico 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.