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

Social Security first. Illinois'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 Illinois need to change my license name after marriage?

Certified marriage certificate (supporting name-change document linking your old and new name) See the full .gov-verified list below, each linked to its official Illinois page.

How much does a Illinois name change cost?

Corrected driver's license (name change, not at renewal): $5 (source-cited); Corrected state ID card, age 18-64 (name change, not at renewal): $10 (source-cited). The federal Social Security update is always free.

When was this Illinois guidance last checked?

2026-06-20. We checked every step against Illinois'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.

Illinois · checked against the real .gov pages Last verified 2026-06-20

Name change after marriage in Illinois

To change your name after marriage in Illinois, update Social Security first, then your Illinois 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 Illinois'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 Illinois, the name change runs through the Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department: the Illinois driver's-license update is listed at $5 (source-cited), it must be done in person, not online, there's a deadline to update after your name change, and you'll bring 4 documents (full list below). Every step below is linked to the official Illinois page it came from (last checked 2026-06-20).

Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department

What's specific to Illinois

Agency: Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department
Corrected driver's license (name change, not at renewal): $5 (source-cited) ilsos.gov
In person or by mail: IN-PERSON REQUIRED: A name change on a DL/ID must be done in person at a Driver Services facility. Do not assume you can complete a marriage name change by mail or fully online (online address-change tools do not cover name changes) -- this is the mistake that wastes people weeks.
Deadline: 10-DAY DEADLINE: State law requires notifying the Secretary of State of a name change within 10 days.

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.

See what's included

Illinois DMV name-change steps

Update your name with the Social Security Administration first, so the SSA record matches your new married name before you visit the Secretary of State.
The Illinois Secretary of State verifies your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration, and per the REAL ID materials a driver's license or state ID card will NOT be issued if records cannot be verified. This makes an SSA name match a practical prerequisite. NOTE: the explicit 'do SSA first' sequencing as a written instruction was not directly confirmed on a fully-rendered ilsos.gov page (see unsupported_flags); the underlying SSA-verification requirement is what is cited here.
Source
Notify the Illinois Secretary of State of the name change within 10 days.
Per the official Driver's License/State ID Card Information page: 'By law, you must notify the Secretary of State's office of an address or name change within 10 days.' For a name change, you must provide identification with your new name and identification that links your old and new names. CDL holders must also obtain a corrected license within 30 days.
Source
Gather the required documents for a corrected (name-change) driver's license or state ID card.
Per the Corrected Driver's License/ID Card checklist: a supporting name-change document such as a certified marriage certificate (to link your old and new name), proof of full Social Security number (e.g., Social Security card or pay stub), and two documents proving current Illinois residency.
Source
Visit a Driver Services facility in person to obtain the corrected license/ID.
A name change to a driver's license/ID card must be completed in person at a Driver Services facility; it cannot be done entirely by mail. You must visit a facility to receive a new card reflecting the change.
Source
Pay the corrected card fee.
The official page states: 'At any time other than renewal, there is a $5 fee for a corrected driver's license and a $10 fee for a corrected ID card.' The Secretary of State's published Driver's License/State ID Card Fees schedule (DSD A 229, Dec 2025) lists 'Duplicate/Corrected Driver's License/Permit (All Classes) $5' and 'Corrected State ID Card, age 18-64 $10'. If the name change is done at renewal, it is handled as part of the renewal.
Source
If you want a REAL ID, bring the full set of REAL ID documents linking your birth name to your current married name.
For REAL ID you must provide one document with full legal name/DOB/lawful status, one full-SSN document, and two proof-of-residency documents. If your current legal name differs from the name on your identity documents (e.g., birth certificate), you must provide name-change documents (such as a certified marriage certificate) linking the names. If the name has changed multiple times, provide each linking document.
Source

What you need to bring

Certified marriage certificate (supporting name-change document linking your old and new name)
Proof of full Social Security number (e.g., Social Security card or pay stub)
Two documents proving current Illinois residency (e.g., bank statement, utility bill, rental/lease agreement)
For REAL ID additionally: one document proving full legal name, date of birth, and citizenship/lawful status (e.g., passport or birth certificate)

Illinois fees

Item	Cost	Source
Corrected driver's license (name change, not at renewal)	$5 (source-cited)	ilsos.gov
Corrected state ID card, age 18-64 (name change, not at renewal)	$10 (source-cited)	ilsos.gov

Watch out for these in Illinois

SSA NAME MATCH FAILURE IS THE #1 PITFALL: The Secretary of State re-verifies your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration, and a license/ID will NOT be issued if records cannot be verified. Change your name with the SSA first and wait for it to process, or the SOS visit can be rejected.

IN-PERSON REQUIRED: A name change on a DL/ID must be done in person at a Driver Services facility. Do not assume you can complete a marriage name change by mail or fully online (online address-change tools do not cover name changes) -- this is the mistake that wastes people weeks.

BRING A CERTIFIED MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: A certified marriage certificate is required as the name-change document linking your prior and new name; a photocopy or uncertified printout may not be accepted.

10-DAY DEADLINE: State law requires notifying the Secretary of State of a name change within 10 days.

REAL ID NAME CHAIN: If you want a REAL ID and your name has changed (including multiple prior changes), you must present a complete chain of certified name-change documents linking your birth name to your current married name.

FEE NUANCE: The $5 (license) / $10 (ID) corrected-card fee applies when done at a time other than renewal; if you happen to be renewing, the name change can be handled as part of the renewal.

The federal steps (every state)

Your Illinois 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 Illinois & 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 Illinois?: 10-DAY DEADLINE: State law requires notifying the Secretary of State of a name change within 10 days.
Do I change my name at the Illinois DMV or Social Security first?: Social Security first. Illinois'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 Illinois need to change my license name after marriage?: Certified marriage certificate (supporting name-change document linking your old and new name) See the full .gov-verified list below, each linked to its official Illinois page.
How much does a Illinois name change cost?: Corrected driver's license (name change, not at renewal): $5 (source-cited); Corrected state ID card, age 18-64 (name change, not at renewal): $10 (source-cited). The federal Social Security update is always free.
When was this Illinois guidance last checked?: 2026-06-20. We checked every step against Illinois'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 Illinois

Illinois DMV name-change steps

Update your name with the Social Security Administration first, so the SSA record matches your new married name before you visit the Secretary of State.

Notify the Illinois Secretary of State of the name change within 10 days.

Gather the required documents for a corrected (name-change) driver's license or state ID card.

Visit a Driver Services facility in person to obtain the corrected license/ID.

Pay the corrected card fee.

If you want a REAL ID, bring the full set of REAL ID documents linking your birth name to your current married name.