Name change after marriage in Minnesota
To change your name after marriage in Minnesota, update Social Security first, then your Minnesota 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 Minnesota'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.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS)
Minnesota DMV name-change steps
Change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first
Per DVS: 'If you have a Social Security number (SSN), you need to change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first.' Your full legal name on your DL/ID must match your Social Security card.
SourceWait until the SSA confirms your name change is processed
DVS instructs: 'Wait until the SSA tells you they have processed your name change' before applying for the updated DL/ID. If your name does not match SSA records, you will not be able to update your driver's license or ID.
SourceGather your current DL/ID and a certified marriage certificate (or other certified name-change document)
Present your current driver's license or ID plus one of: a Certified Marriage Certificate (or marriage license with a certified recorded marriage date), a certified divorce decree specifying the name change, or a certified court order specifying the name change.
SourceVisit a DVS office in person to apply and have your photo taken
DVS: 'You can visit any office that offers driver's license or ID renewals.' You must appear in person, present your documents, and have a new photo taken. Payment accepted by cash, check or money order.
SourceIf applying for/maintaining a REAL ID or Enhanced card, bring proof of every name change and two proofs of MN residence
REAL ID requires one document proving identity/date of birth/legal U.S. presence, proof of each name change from the name on your primary document to your current name, and two proofs of current Minnesota residence. All documents must be originals.
Source
What you need to bring
- Current Minnesota driver's license or ID card
- Certified Marriage Certificate (or marriage license with a certified recorded marriage date) — OR a certified divorce decree or certified court order that specifies the name change
- Proof that your name change has been processed by the Social Security Administration (name must match your Social Security card)
- For REAL ID/Enhanced: original document proving identity, date of birth and legal U.S. presence; proof of each name change from birth name to current name; and two proofs of current Minnesota residence (all originals — photocopies/scans/faxes not accepted)
Minnesota fees
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (Class D) driver's license | $46 | dps.mn.gov |
| ID card (under age 65) | $35.50 | dps.mn.gov |
| Enhanced driver's license/ID surcharge | $15 in addition to the applicable card fee | dps.mn.gov |
| Duplicate/replacement card (all driver's license classes) | $26 | dps.mn.gov |
| Exact fee charged for a marriage name change specifically | fee varies — see source; DVS does not publish a single dedicated 'name change' fee, the cost depends on card type/transaction | dps.mn.gov |
Watch out for these in Minnesota
SSA FIRST: You must change your name with the Social Security Administration and wait for SSA to confirm it is processed BEFORE updating your Minnesota DL/ID.
NAME MATCH: Your full legal name on the DL/ID must exactly match your Social Security card, including suffixes, two-part last names or two-part middle names. If it does not match, DVS will not update your card.
IN PERSON REQUIRED: A name change cannot be done by mail or fully online — you must visit a DVS office to present documents and have a new photo taken. (DVS offers an optional pre-application to speed up the in-office visit.)
CERTIFIED DOCUMENT REQUIRED: Bring a Certified Marriage Certificate (or marriage license with a certified recorded marriage date); for REAL ID/Enhanced, name-change documents and all REAL ID documents must be ORIGINALS — photocopies, scans and faxes are not accepted.
REAL ID name history: For a REAL ID/Enhanced card you must prove every name change linking your birth/primary-document name to your current married name; a single marriage certificate may not be sufficient if there were prior name changes.
Remember to also change your name on your vehicle titles separately (DVS note).
The federal steps (every state)
Your Minnesota DMV step sits between Social Security and your passport. The three steps below are the same wherever you live.
Official Minnesota & federal sources
Every step is backed by an official government page — confirm the current rules on the source before you act.
- https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/license-and-id/common-transactions-all-dl-and-id-card-types/change-your-name-your-dl-id-card
- https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/license-and-id/dl-and-id-card-information/real-id-dl-and-id-card
- https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/license-and-id/dl-and-id-card-fees
- https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/license-and-id/common-transactions-all-dl-and-id-card-types/renew-your-dl-id-card
See your exact steps free
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I change my license name online in Minnesota, or must it be in person?
- IN PERSON REQUIRED: A name change cannot be done by mail or fully online — you must visit a DVS office to present documents and have a new photo taken. (DVS offers an optional pre-application to speed up the in-office visit.)
- Do I change my name at the Minnesota DMV or Social Security first?
- Social Security first. Minnesota'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 Minnesota need to change my license name after marriage?
- Current Minnesota driver's license or ID card See the full .gov-verified list below, each linked to its official Minnesota page.
- How much does a Minnesota name change cost?
- Standard (Class D) driver's license: $46; ID card (under age 65): $35.50; Enhanced driver's license/ID surcharge: $15 in addition to the applicable card fee; Duplicate/replacement card (all driver's license classes): $26; Exact fee charged for a marriage name change specifically: fee varies — see source; DVS does not publish a single dedicated 'name change' fee, the cost depends on card type/transaction. The federal Social Security update is always free.
- When was this Minnesota guidance last checked?
- 2026-06-16. We checked every step against Minnesota'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.