Changing last names is often the last thing on the minds of couples in the midst of honeymooning. Upon your return, getting back to normal daily life can be a struggle. While merging households and returning to work, changing your name can seem like too much hassle. On the other hand, there could be consequences for putting off a name change after marriage.
There are many places where a name change after marriage is necessary. Married name change deadlines, penalties, and procedures vary by organization and state. Here is what you need to know to correctly prioritize the married name change process.
Is there a Name Change Deadline?
No, there is not a strict legal name change deadline in the US for newlyweds. You do not need to worry about rushing to the Social Security office or DMV just after your wedding or once you return from your honeymoon. Your marriage certificate (the legal document you received after your wedding) does not expire and can be used to change your name at any time in the future. However, once you start the marriage name change process it is important to complete it with all organizations as quickly as possible.
Some states have informal deadlines for updating your driver's license or state-issued ID to your new name after marriage, but the clock starts when you change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Name change after marriage requirements may change the longer you wait, so it is important to act quickly. This guide will give you an overview of the timeliness required for a name change after marriage with common entities and organizations.
How Long Does it Take to Change a Name?
Is there a deadline for name change after marriage is a question most couples ask long after the wedding, but there is no need to panic. It does not take long to change a name after marriage if you are well-organized and have a plan in advance.
The SSA name change after marriage process can be done anytime after you receive your marriage certificate. After changing your name with the SSA, you will need to wait 48 hours so your name can be updated in their records so your name can be verified by other entities and organizations. Each organization has its process for name change after marriage, but most take only minutes to complete by mail or in person as long as you have all of the required documents.
What Other Name Change Deadlines Should You Know
There are some name change deadlines that you should know before you get started. Most states do not have deadlines to change your name on your driver's license and vehicle registration and title, but there are 14 states with deadlines that carry various penalties for noncompliance. These and other entities where is there a deadline to change names after marriage are below.
Social Security Name Change Deadline
There is no deadline for changing your name with the SSA, but there are some timely factors that could affect how to change your name with Social Security. First, if the name on your social security card does not match your identification, you could run into delays in processing tax returns or if you apply for a loan for a new home or family car.
Second, to update your name with Social Security you will need your original marriage certificate or a certified copy of your marriage certificate and a valid photo ID such as your driver's license or passport in your former name.
As of this time, name changes with the SSA must be done in person or by mail.
All states require you to update your name with the SSA before you can obtain a new driver's license or state-issued ID card.
There are 13 states that both have a deadline for changing the name on your driver's license. These are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.
Driver's License Deadlines
How to change your name after marriage with the DMV varies by state. Most states do not have deadlines for changing your name after marriage, but some do. In most cases, the clock to change your name with the DMV starts with the date you change your name with Social Security.
Here are the states where there is a deadline for changing your name after marriage.
| State | Deadline |
| Alaska | 30 days |
| Arizona | 10 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Delaware | 30 days |
| Florida | 30 days |
| Georgia | 60 days |
| Indiana | 30 days |
| Minnesota | 30 days |
| Nebraska | 60 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days |
| North Carolina | 60 days |
| Texas | 30 days |
In most cases, you can change your name with the DMV after 48 hours of changing it with the Social Security Administration unless the state requires you to present your new SS card. The states that require a Social Security card to change your name on your driver's license are Nevada, Virginia, and Washington, none of which have deadlines for driver's license changes.
Note that to get a Real ID you will need to show documents for every name change from birth to present. Every marriage certificate and divorce decree will be required even if you never did a name change after divorce.
IRS and Tax Deadlines
There isn't an explicit deadline for changing your name with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Your name on file with the IRS is automatically updated when you update your name with the SSA. So, you do not need to notify the IRS of your name change. You won't run into any tax issues as long as the name on your SSA record matches the name on your annual tax filing. You can learn more about filing your taxes after a name change.
Bank Account Deadlines
It is important to check with your bank for policies on name changes after marriage. Many banks have no hard deadlines for changing your name, but it should be done as soon as possible after getting your new identification and updating your name with Social Security.
Your bank account and debit and credit cards will continue to work in your old name until after your name change is reported to your bank. Your bank will issue you a new checkbook as well as new debit and credit cards to reflect your new name.
Passport Deadlines
There are no deadlines for updating the name on your passport after a name change. Your current passport will remain valid until its expiration date even if you update your name with the Social Security Administration and/or update your name with your DMV. You can change your married name on your US passport by mailing in the correct passport application form, your current passport, and your marriage certificate. It can take up to 8-11 weeks for your new passport to be processed, but you can expedite the process for a $60 fee.
Are there Penalties for Missing Name Change Deadlines?
As a general rule, there aren't any penalties for waiting to start your name after your wedding. However, the clock officially starts after you update your name with the Social Security Administration, and some DMVs may enforce a penalty for waiting to update your driver's license or state ID card if you are pulled over for a traffic violation. Here are the penalties for the 14 states that have deadlines for updating your name after marriage and their related state statutes.
- Alaska: Infraction with $25 fine - §28.05.071
- Arizona: Civil traffic citation up to $100 - §28-448
- Colorado: Class B traffic citation with $15-100 fine - §42-2-119
- Delaware: Late fee of $10 - §2701-2727
- Florida: Nonmoving violation with $30 fine - §318.18
- Georgia: Fine of $10 - §40-5-33
- Indiana: Potential fine - §9-24-13-5
- Minnesota: Potential fine - §171.14
- Nebraska: Potential fine - §60-487
- New Hampshire: Potential fine - §263:56
- North Carolina: Potential fine - §20-15
- Oklahoma: Potential fine - §47-1-107
- Texas: Potential fine - §521.025
- West Virginia: Potential fine - §17B-2-1
Driving with an expired license carries additional penalties set by each state. Don't drive if you miss the married name change deadline and your license is expired. You will be able to update the name on your driver's license and renew it at the same time.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage?
It is important to change your name after marriage with each government office, organization, and financial institution.
Remember to update your name with Social Security before updating any of your other documents and account. There is no fee to update your name with Social Security.
To change your name with the DMV, check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles site. Every state has different documentation requirements. In addition, the fee to change your name on your driver's license or state ID card varies by state but typically costs the same as a duplicate license.
In both cases, it is helpful to have the necessary forms ready before visiting the SSA or DMV to change your name. The SSA requires an Application for Social Security Card in addition to identifying documents. The application required at your local DMV will vary based on state, and sometimes by county. Contact your license office to determine what paperwork is necessary.
Make Your Name Change Stress-Free With NewlyNamed
The varied requirements for changing your name can make the process stressful. NewlyNamed takes the guesswork out of changing your name and provides you with a personalized name change kit designed to save you time and frustration. Your name change kit will contain step-by-step instructions and the required applications needed to change your name on all of your documents (SS card, driver's incense, passport, Global Entry card, etc.) and accounts (bank, credit card, frequent flyer accounts, etc.). NewlyNamed also provides unlimited customer support to answer any of your name change questions.
