Name change after marriage in Vermont

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Marriage certificate

• Vermont Department of Health certified copies, printed on engraved security paper with a raised seal, cost $10 each, plus a $2 processing fee when ordered online.⁴
• For people already in Vermont, the Department of Health points to the town or city clerk as the quickest and least expensive source of a vital record copy.⁴
• When buying the marriage license, a Vermont couple can have the town clerk mail a certified copy once the marriage is recorded, for $10 on top of the $80 license.⁷
• From two weeks after the ceremony, more copies can be requested at the Vermont town clerk office that sold the license, also for $10.⁷
• From six weeks after the ceremony, the Vermont Department of Health’s Vital Records Office can issue the certified copy for $10.⁷
• The Vermont State Archives also certifies marriage records, at $10.00 each, online or with Form VSARA-09 sent by mail.⁸

Driver's license

• Vermont law requires telling the Department of Motor Vehicles about a change of name or address within 30 days.¹
• Vermont only changes the name on a license or non-driver ID in person, with an original or certified marriage license or certificate.¹
• Because Vermont verifies Real ID names with Social Security, the Social Security record must show the new name before the DMV can issue the card.¹
• The Vermont DMV accepts a marriage certificate from a state vital statistics office or equivalent agency, certified with a stamp or raised seal; certificates from a church or chapel are refused.¹
• The Vermont DMV fee table sets the replacement of a Real ID or non-Real ID license at $24.00.²
• Vermonters who receive SSI or SSDI, or who have a qualifying disability, pay $10.00 for a replacement license when a new name is required.²
• Vermont’s license application, Form VL-021, asks for every former name exactly as it appeared on earlier licenses.³

Voter registration

• Unless the applicant declines, Vermont’s Form VL-021 also serves as a voter registration, and the DMV forwards it to the Secretary of State.³
• The Vermont Voter Portal lets a voter log in to check registration status and update registration information.⁹
• Since 2017, Vermont has allowed voter registration on any day up to and including Election Day.⁹
• The Vermont Secretary of State forwards mailed applications to the town or city clerk but recommends sending them to the clerk directly.⁹

Social Security

• The Social Security Administration recommends updating your Social Security record before you go to your state motor vehicle office.⁵
• Social Security suggests waiting until the state has recorded the marriage, which takes about 30 days in most cases.⁵
• For proof of identity, Social Security prefers a U.S. driver license and also accepts a state ID card or a U.S. passport.⁵
• Social Security treats a marriage certificate as the ideal proof of both the new legal name and the marriage.⁵
• Social Security accepts only original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency, never photocopies or notarized copies.⁵
• 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.¹⁰
• People who cannot use Social Security’s online services fill in the paper Form SS-5 and show the required documents.¹¹

Passport

• USAGov says to report a name change to the U.S. Department of State as soon as possible to get an updated passport.¹²
• 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.¹³
• 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.¹³
• 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.¹⁴
• 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.¹⁴
• 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.¹⁴
• 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.¹⁵

Voter registration

• A voter registration can be updated online through vote.gov or by mail with the National Mail Voter Registration Form.¹²

Agencies

• USAGov advises telling Social Security early because other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA.¹²
• Every name on a federal tax return must match Social Security records.¹²

• 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 Vermont 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.