Do you need a certified marriage certificate to change your name?
Yes. Social Security, your state DMV, and the passport office all require an original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate — issued directly by the government office that recorded your marriage, bearing an official seal. A plain photocopy is not accepted. A notarized copy is not accepted. Order at least two or three certified copies before you start: you will likely need one for each major agency in the chain.
What “certified copy” means — and why a notarized copy will not work
A certified copy comes from the government office that recorded your marriage: your county clerk's office, county register of deeds, or state vital records bureau. It carries an official seal or embossed stamp that proves the copy came from the originating office.
A notarized copy is a photocopy that a notary public witnessed and signed. The notary confirms the copy was made in front of them — but it is still a photocopy. The Social Security Administration's own published rules state: “All documents submitted must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency; photocopies or notarized copies cannot be accepted.” Many applicants learn this at the SSA counter. Order a certified copy from your county or state vital records office, not a notarized one.
Which agencies require it and in what form
Every agency in the standard name-change chain requires your marriage certificate in certified form.
| Agency | What it is used for | Required format |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security Administration | Proof of the name-change event | Original or certified copy by the issuing agency. No photocopies. No notarized copies. |
| DMV / REAL ID | Name traceability — connecting your old name to your new one | Original or certified copy. Exact DMV requirements vary by state. |
| Passport (DS-5504 / DS-82 / DS-11) | Legal name-change evidence submitted with your passport application | Original or certified copy. State Dept returns the document separately after processing. |
Sources: SSA.gov (ss5doc.htm, KA-01981); travel.state.gov (renew, change-correct); DHS REAL ID requirements. State DMV document requirements vary — check your state DMV page for specifics.
How many certified copies do you need?
Order at least two or three certified copies before you start the name-change chain. Here is why: each agency may ask for its own copy, and agencies differ in whether they return your document. The State Department returns your name-change document by separate First Class Mail after your passport is processed — that separate mailing can arrive up to four weeks after your new passport. If you have only one copy and it is in transit with the passport office, your other steps stall.
Ordering additional copies at the same time from your county or state vital records office costs less than a second trip or a second order later.
Where to get a certified copy
Certified copies come from the office that recorded your marriage:
- County clerk's office — most marriages in the U.S. are recorded at the county level. Many counties issue certified copies in person the same day; mail and online requests take longer.
- County register of deeds — in some states, marriage records are held here rather than the clerk's office.
- State vital records bureau — most states allow you to order certified copies centrally by mail or online. Processing time varies.
The exact process, fee, and turnaround time vary by state and county. Search for your state's vital records office to find the official ordering page.
Official sources
Every step is backed by an official government page — confirm the current rules on the source before you act.
- https://www.ssa.gov/life-events/change-name
- https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-01981.html
- https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm
- https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
- https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10513.pdf
- https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/renew-replace/change-correct-passport.html
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/change-correct.html
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew.html
- https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/forms.html
- https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions
- https://www.tsa.gov/realid/realid-faqs
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
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Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a certified marriage certificate to change my name?
- Yes. Every agency in the name-change chain — Social Security, your state DMV, and the passport office — requires an original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate. A plain photocopy is not accepted. A notarized copy is not accepted. Order certified copies from the county or state office that recorded your marriage.
- What is the difference between a certified copy and a notarized copy of a marriage certificate?
- A certified copy is issued directly by the government office that recorded your marriage — your county clerk's office, county register of deeds, or state vital records bureau. It carries an official government seal or embossed stamp. A notarized copy is a photocopy that a notary public has signed and witnessed. The Social Security Administration states plainly that 'photocopies or notarized copies cannot be accepted.' A notarized copy will not clear the SSA counter.
- How many certified copies of my marriage certificate do I need?
- Order at least two or three certified copies before you start. You will likely need one for Social Security, one for your passport, and possibly one for the DMV. The State Department returns your name-change document by separate mail after processing — that can take up to four weeks after your new passport arrives. If you have only one copy and it is tied up with the passport office, your other steps stall.
- Where do I get a certified copy of my marriage certificate?
- Certified copies are issued by the government office that recorded your marriage — typically your county clerk's office, county register of deeds, or state vital records bureau. The process varies by state: some offices issue copies the same day in person; mail and online orders take longer. Search for your county or state vital records office to find the exact ordering process.
- Will agencies return my certified marriage certificate after the name change?
- The State Department returns your name-change document by separate First Class Mail after processing your passport application, which can arrive up to four weeks after your new passport. SSA reviews your document in person at the office or as part of a mail application — check with your local SSA office. DMV return practices vary by state.
Not legal advice · Not a government service · Not affiliated with any government agency.