Name change after marriage in Washington

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Marriage certificate

• The Washington State Department of Health issues certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages in the state from 1968 to the present.⁷
• Washington DOH charges a base fee of $25 per marriage certificate copy, before any ordering or shipping charges.⁷
• A Washington certificate ordered online or by phone through VitalChek starts at $40.50: the $25 certificate fee, an $8.50 VitalChek fee and a $7 DOH processing fee.⁹
• Washington DOH lets anyone order a marriage certificate, with no proof of identity or relationship to the couple.⁷
• A Washington marriage record can take up to five months after the wedding to reach the Department of Health.⁷
• For a wedding in the last five months, Washington DOH sends couples to the county auditor that issued the license for a certified white copy.⁷
• Washington DOH says the county auditor’s copy can be used to add a spouse to insurance and, in most cases, to change the last name on a driver license.⁷
• The Washington Department of Licensing points drivers to the county or auditor where the marriage license was filed for a certified copy.⁴
• Washington DOH warns that most federal agencies do not accept the county auditor’s copy of a marriage license.⁷
• For a Washington marriage before 1968, the record comes from the auditor of the county where the license was obtained.⁷

Driver's license

• Washington law requires a licensed driver whose name of record changes to notify the Department of Licensing within ten days.¹
• Under RCW 46.20.200, a Washington replacement license that changes material information costs $20, and the old card must be surrendered.²
• The Washington Department of Licensing fee table lists $20 for a revised driver license before renewal to update a name, address, photo or endorsement.³
• The Washington Department of Licensing asks drivers to update their name with the Social Security Administration before booking a licensing office appointment.⁴
• Washington DOL takes a marriage certificate only if it was filed with the county after the ceremony and certified; church and wedding chapel forms are refused.⁴
• Washington DOL takes a new photo for the card at the in-person name-change appointment.⁴
• Washington law bars the Department of Licensing from changing a license holder’s name of record until the person proves identity again.⁵
• A new name on a Washington driver license does not carry over to the vehicle registration, which is changed separately.⁴

Voter registration

• Washington law has the Department of Licensing send name and address changes, including the former name, to the Secretary of State every day.¹
• Online voter registration in Washington asks for a current state driver license, permit or ID card, or the last four digits of a Social Security number.¹⁰
• The Washington Secretary of State also takes an updated voter registration form by mail or in person at a county elections office.¹⁰
• Washington voters can register or update online up to 8 days before an election and still take part in it.¹⁰
• In person, Washington voters can register until 8 p.m. on Election Day and vote in that election.¹⁰
• Getting an enhanced driver license or enhanced ID from the Washington Department of Licensing registers the person to vote or updates the existing voter record automatically.¹¹

Social Security

• The Social Security Administration recommends updating your Social Security record before you go to your state motor vehicle office.⁶
• Social Security suggests waiting until the state has recorded the marriage, which takes about 30 days in most cases.⁶
• For proof of identity, Social Security prefers a U.S. driver license and also accepts a state ID card or a U.S. passport.⁶
• Social Security treats a marriage certificate as the ideal proof of both the new legal name and the marriage.⁶
• Social Security accepts only original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency, never photocopies or notarized copies.⁶
• Social Security does not charge for a card with the new name.⁸
• Once Social Security completes the request, the replacement card arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days.¹²
• People who cannot use Social Security’s online services fill in the paper Form SS-5 and show the required documents.¹³

Passport

• USAGov says to report a name change to the U.S. Department of State as soon as possible to get an updated passport.¹⁴
• 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.¹⁵
• 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.¹⁵
• 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.¹⁶
• 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.¹⁶
• 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.¹⁶
• 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.¹⁷

Voter registration

• A voter registration can be updated online through vote.gov or by mail with the National Mail Voter Registration Form.¹⁴

Agencies

• USAGov advises telling Social Security early because other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA.¹⁴
• Every name on a federal tax return must match Social Security records.¹⁴

• 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 Washington 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.