Name change after marriage in Connecticut
To change your name after marriage in Connecticut, update Social Security first, then your Connecticut 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 Connecticut'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.
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (CT DMV)
Connecticut DMV name-change steps
Change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first
You must visit the SSA to file your name change before the CT DMV will update your license or ID. It may take up to 48 hours for SSA to process the change, and this must be processed prior to updating your driver's license or non-driver ID.
SourceComplete the Change of Name Request (Form E-78)
Fill out Form E-78 (Change of Name or Name Correction Request, Rev. 6-2024) with your current legal name/address, new legal name/address, date of birth, operator license number, registration plate number, reason for change, and signature.
SourceGather required original documents
Bring the completed Form E-78, your current driver's license or non-driver ID, and certified documentation showing the change of name (e.g., marriage license/civil union certificate). Originals are required; photocopies and religious marriage certificates are not accepted.
SourceMake an in-person appointment at a DMV hub or express office
Name updates to a driver's license or non-driver ID are provided by appointment only at DMV hub offices or DMV express offices. This cannot be done online or by mail.
SourcePay the fee and receive your updated credential
Pay the $30 name-change fee at your appointment. You are issued a temporary paper card; the permanent card arrives by mail.
Source
What you need to bring
- Completed Change of Name Request, Form E-78 (Rev. 6-2024)
- Current Connecticut driver's license or non-driver ID card
- Certified original documentation showing the change of name (e.g., marriage license or civil union certificate). Photocopies and religious marriage certificates are NOT accepted.
- Updated name on file with the Social Security Administration (processed before the DMV visit)
Connecticut fees
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Name change on driver's license or non-driver ID card | $30 | portal.ct.gov |
| Convenience fee at a DMV express office (e.g., AAA, credit union locations) | up to $8 per DMV transaction (only if using an express office) | portal.ct.gov |
Watch out for these in Connecticut
SSA FIRST: You must change your name with the Social Security Administration before the DMV will update your license/ID. Allow up to 48 hours for SSA to process the change; the DMV will not process the name change until SSA's records are updated.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Name changes on a license/ID are by appointment only at a DMV hub or express office. They cannot be done online or by mail.
CERTIFIED ORIGINAL REQUIRED: You must present a certified original marriage license/civil union certificate. Photocopies and religious marriage certificates are not accepted.
REAL ID NAME-MATCH: For a REAL ID, if your name differs from the name on your birth certificate, you must present an original linking document such as a marriage license or divorce decree to connect your prior and current legal name.
ORDER OF OPERATIONS: The name must be changed on your operator's license or ID card before it can be changed on your vehicle registration (per Form E-78).
FEE CONFIRMED: $30 official name-change fee; a separate convenience fee up to $8 applies only at express offices.
The federal steps (every state)
Your Connecticut DMV step sits between Social Security and your passport. The three steps below are the same wherever you live.
Official Connecticut & federal sources
Every step is backed by an official government page — confirm the current rules on the source before you act.
See your exact steps free
Answer a few quick questions and we'll tell you what to do first, second, and third for your exact situation — each step linked to the real .gov page. No account, no card.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I change my license name online in Connecticut, or must it be in person?
- IN-PERSON ONLY: Name changes on a license/ID are by appointment only at a DMV hub or express office. They cannot be done online or by mail.
- Do I change my name at the Connecticut DMV or Social Security first?
- Social Security first. Connecticut'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 Connecticut need to change my license name after marriage?
- Completed Change of Name Request, Form E-78 (Rev. 6-2024) See the full .gov-verified list below, each linked to its official Connecticut page.
- How much does a Connecticut name change cost?
- Name change on driver's license or non-driver ID card: $30; Convenience fee at a DMV express office (e.g., AAA, credit union locations): up to $8 per DMV transaction (only if using an express office). The federal Social Security update is always free.
- When was this Connecticut guidance last checked?
- 2026-06-14. We checked every step against Connecticut'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.