Do I change my name at the Alaska DMV or Social Security first?

Social Security first. Alaska's DMV verifies your name and SSN against SSA's records, so updating SSA before the DMV prevents your license or REAL ID from being rejected on a mismatch.

What documents does Alaska need to change my license name after marriage?

A certified marriage certificate (from Vital Statistics) — or a certified Certificate of Dissolution, Divorce or Annulment (from the Court System) if restoring a former name. Must be an original certified copy; photocopies and fax copies are not accepted. See the full .gov-verified list below, each linked to its official Alaska page.

How much does a Alaska name change cost?

Duplicate / replacement driver license (new card reflecting the name change): $15 (standard) or $35 (REAL ID). The name-change page states you "pay the current license fee" for the updated credential; the License Fees page lists the duplicate driver license at $15 standard / $35 REAL ID.; State identification card: $15 for a standard ID, $35 for a REAL ID. For Alaskans 60 and older, a standard ID card is free or $20 for a REAL ID.; REAL ID fee (added when you choose a REAL ID credential): $20 added on top of the standard license or ID card fee (e.g., a standard driver license at $20 plus the $20 REAL ID fee totals $40).. The federal Social Security update is always free.

When was this Alaska guidance last checked?

2026-07-02. We checked every step against Alaska's official pages and show you the date so you know it's current — and we link every step to the real .gov page it came from.

Alaska · checked against the real .gov pages Last verified 2026-07-02

Name change after marriage in Alaska

To change your name after marriage in Alaska, update Social Security first, then your Alaska driver's license / REAL ID, then your passport. Do it in that order and you won't get turned away at the counter on a name mismatch. Below are Alaska's exact DMV steps and fees, each linked to the real .gov page it came from, then the federal steps that apply in every state.

In Alaska, the name change runs through the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV): the Alaska driver's-license update is listed at $15 (standard) or $35 (REAL ID). The name-change page states you "pay the current license fee" for the updated credential; the License Fees page lists the duplicate driver license at $15 standard / $35 REAL ID., it must be done in person, not online, there's a deadline to update after your name change, and you'll bring 5 documents (full list below). Every step below is linked to the official Alaska page it came from (last checked 2026-07-02).

Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

What's specific to Alaska

Agency: Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Duplicate / replacement driver license (new card reflecting the name change): $15 (standard) or $35 (REAL ID). The name-change page states you "pay the current license fee" for the updated credential; the License Fees page lists the duplicate driver license at $15 standard / $35 REAL ID. dmv.alaska.gov
In person or by mail: IN-PERSON REQUIRED: Alaska states "you must submit proof of the change (in person) to us." The name change cannot be completed by mail or online — you must visit a DMV office to finalize it.
Deadline: 30-DAY NOTIFICATION: Alaska law requires you to notify DMV of a name change within 30 days of the change (AS 28.05.071).

Don't want to fill the SS-5 and passport form yourself? The Filled Packet ($59) fills them with your details and gives you a per-field answer key for your state's form. We never store your SSN.

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Alaska DMV name-change steps

Update your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first.
The Alaska DMV requires your Social Security Number for a REAL ID and verifies identity records. Alaska's own name-change page does not state a strict SSA-first ordering, but updating SSA before you apply keeps the name on your Social Security record consistent with the certified marriage certificate (or certified divorce decree) you present at DMV. Complete the SSA change first, then apply at DMV.
Source
Complete Form D1, the Application for Driver License, Permit or State Identification Card.
Alaska uses Form D1 to apply for or update a driver license, permit, or state ID card, including a name change. You may fill out and print Form D1 before your visit. Completing the form does not finish the name change on its own.
Source
Gather your certified name-change document and, if applying for a REAL ID, your REAL ID documents.
To change the name on your credential you must provide a document linking your prior name to your new name: a certified marriage certificate (from Vital Statistics) — or a certified Certificate of Dissolution, Divorce or Annulment (issued by the Court System) if you are restoring a former name. Submitted documents must be an original certified copy; photocopies and fax copies are not accepted. If there have been multiple name changes, you must provide documentation proving the continuity of the names. For a REAL ID you also need proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status, proof of your Social Security Number, and 2 documents verifying Alaska residency, plus proof of name change if applicable.
Source
Visit an Alaska DMV office in person to submit the change and pay the fee.
Per the DMV: "you must submit proof of the change (in person) to us." Bring your completed Form D1, your current credential, and your original certified name-change document, and pay the current license fee to receive a replacement credential with your new name. Alaska law requires notification of a name change within 30 days of the change (AS 28.05.071).
Source

What you need to bring

A certified marriage certificate (from Vital Statistics) — or a certified Certificate of Dissolution, Divorce or Annulment (from the Court System) if restoring a former name. Must be an original certified copy; photocopies and fax copies are not accepted.
Documentation proving continuity of names if there have been multiple prior name changes.
Your current Alaska driver license, permit, or state ID card.
Completed Form D1 (Application for Driver License, Permit or State Identification Card).
For a REAL ID: proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or other lawful status; proof of your Social Security Number; and 2 documents verifying Alaska residency (plus proof of name change if applicable).

Alaska fees

Item	Cost	Source
Duplicate / replacement driver license (new card reflecting the name change)	$15 (standard) or $35 (REAL ID). The name-change page states you "pay the current license fee" for the updated credential; the License Fees page lists the duplicate driver license at $15 standard / $35 REAL ID.	dmv.alaska.gov
State identification card	$15 for a standard ID, $35 for a REAL ID. For Alaskans 60 and older, a standard ID card is free or $20 for a REAL ID.	dmv.alaska.gov
REAL ID fee (added when you choose a REAL ID credential)	$20 added on top of the standard license or ID card fee (e.g., a standard driver license at $20 plus the $20 REAL ID fee totals $40).	dmv.alaska.gov

Watch out for these in Alaska

IN-PERSON REQUIRED: Alaska states "you must submit proof of the change (in person) to us." The name change cannot be completed by mail or online — you must visit a DMV office to finalize it.

ORIGINAL CERTIFIED COPY REQUIRED: Your name-change document must be an original certified copy (e.g., a certified marriage certificate from Vital Statistics, or a certified divorce decree from the Court System). Photocopies and fax copies are not accepted.

30-DAY NOTIFICATION: Alaska law requires you to notify DMV of a name change within 30 days of the change (AS 28.05.071).

NAME CONTINUITY FOR MULTIPLE CHANGES: If you have had more than one prior name change, you must provide documentation proving the continuity of the names (the full name trail).

REAL ID DOCUMENTS: For a REAL ID, bring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status, proof of your Social Security Number, and 2 documents verifying Alaska residency, plus your proof of name change. The REAL ID adds a $20 fee.

UPDATE SSA FIRST: Update your name with the Social Security Administration before applying, so your Social Security record matches the certified name-change document you present at DMV.

The federal steps (every state)

Your Alaska DMV step sits between Social Security and your passport. The three steps below are the same wherever you live.

1. Social Security (free)Do this first.2. REAL ID rulesName traceability + travel.3. PassportDS-5504 within 1 year.

Official Alaska & federal sources

Every step is backed by an official government page — confirm the current rules on the source before you act.

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Frequently asked questions

Is there a deadline to update my license name after marriage in Alaska?: 30-DAY NOTIFICATION: Alaska law requires you to notify DMV of a name change within 30 days of the change (AS 28.05.071).
Do I change my name at the Alaska DMV or Social Security first?: Social Security first. Alaska's DMV verifies your name and SSN against SSA's records, so updating SSA before the DMV prevents your license or REAL ID from being rejected on a mismatch.
What documents does Alaska need to change my license name after marriage?: A certified marriage certificate (from Vital Statistics) — or a certified Certificate of Dissolution, Divorce or Annulment (from the Court System) if restoring a former name. Must be an original certified copy; photocopies and fax copies are not accepted. See the full .gov-verified list below, each linked to its official Alaska page.
How much does a Alaska name change cost?: Duplicate / replacement driver license (new card reflecting the name change): $15 (standard) or $35 (REAL ID). The name-change page states you "pay the current license fee" for the updated credential; the License Fees page lists the duplicate driver license at $15 standard / $35 REAL ID.; State identification card: $15 for a standard ID, $35 for a REAL ID. For Alaskans 60 and older, a standard ID card is free or $20 for a REAL ID.; REAL ID fee (added when you choose a REAL ID credential): $20 added on top of the standard license or ID card fee (e.g., a standard driver license at $20 plus the $20 REAL ID fee totals $40).. The federal Social Security update is always free.
When was this Alaska guidance last checked?: 2026-07-02. We checked every step against Alaska's official pages and show you the date so you know it's current — and we link every step to the real .gov page it came from.

Not legal advice · Not a government service · Not affiliated with any government agency.

What's specific to Alaska

Alaska DMV name-change steps

Update your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first.

Complete Form D1, the Application for Driver License, Permit or State Identification Card.

Gather your certified name-change document and, if applying for a REAL ID, your REAL ID documents.

Visit an Alaska DMV office in person to submit the change and pay the fee.