Name change after marriage in North Dakota
To change your name after marriage in North Dakota, update Social Security first, then your North Dakota 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 North Dakota'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 North Dakota, the name change runs through the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Drivers License Division: the North Dakota driver's-license update is listed at $3.00 — NDDOT states that if you are not in need of a renewal, you submit a $3.00 fee and have a new picture taken. (If you are renewing at the same time, the standard renewal fee applies instead.), it must be done in person, not online, there's a deadline to update after your name change, and you'll bring 2 documents (full list below). Every step below is linked to the official North Dakota page it came from (last checked 2026-06-20).
North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Drivers License Division
What's specific to North Dakota
- Agency
- North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Drivers License Division
- Name change correction (when not also renewing)
- $3.00 — NDDOT states that if you are not in need of a renewal, you submit a $3.00 fee and have a new picture taken. (If you are renewing at the same time, the standard renewal fee applies instead.) dot.nd.gov
- In person or by mail
- IN PERSON REQUIRED: You must bring certified documentation in person to any ND Drivers License site; a new photo is taken.
- Deadline
- 10-DAY DEADLINE: A ND Drivers License site must be visited by anyone who has a change of name to purchase a corrected license 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 includedNorth Dakota DMV name-change steps
Gather certified documentation of your name change.
North Dakota requires certified documentation of the change: a government-issued marriage certificate, a certified court order (must have a seal), or a certified divorce decree that specifically states the current legal name (must have a seal).
SourceVisit a North Dakota Drivers License site in person within 10 days.
NDDOT states: "In order to change your name on your North Dakota Driver License, you will be required to bring certified documentation of the change in person ... to any ND Drivers License site," and that a site must be visited to purchase a corrected license within 10 days.
SourceHave a new photo taken and pay the $3.00 fee if you are not renewing.
NDDOT states: "If you are not in need of a renewal of your driver license, you will be required to submit a $3.00 fee and have a new picture taken."
Source
What you need to bring
- Certified documentation of the name change: a government-issued marriage certificate, a certified court order (with a seal), or a certified divorce decree stating the current legal name (with a seal)
- Your current North Dakota driver license (a new photo is taken)
North Dakota fees
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Name change correction (when not also renewing) | $3.00 — NDDOT states that if you are not in need of a renewal, you submit a $3.00 fee and have a new picture taken. (If you are renewing at the same time, the standard renewal fee applies instead.) | dot.nd.gov |
Watch out for these in North Dakota
10-DAY DEADLINE: A ND Drivers License site must be visited by anyone who has a change of name to purchase a corrected license within 10 days.
IN PERSON REQUIRED: You must bring certified documentation in person to any ND Drivers License site; a new photo is taken.
CERTIFIED, SEALED DOCUMENTS: A certified court order or certified divorce decree must have a seal; a marriage certificate must be government-issued.
The federal steps (every state)
Your North Dakota DMV step sits between Social Security and your passport. The three steps below are the same wherever you live.
Official North Dakota & 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
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Frequently asked questions
- Is there a deadline to update my license name after marriage in North Dakota?
- 10-DAY DEADLINE: A ND Drivers License site must be visited by anyone who has a change of name to purchase a corrected license within 10 days.
- Do I change my name at the North Dakota DMV or Social Security first?
- Social Security first. North Dakota'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 North Dakota need to change my license name after marriage?
- Certified documentation of the name change: a government-issued marriage certificate, a certified court order (with a seal), or a certified divorce decree stating the current legal name (with a seal) See the full .gov-verified list below, each linked to its official North Dakota page.
- How much does a North Dakota name change cost?
- Name change correction (when not also renewing): $3.00 — NDDOT states that if you are not in need of a renewal, you submit a $3.00 fee and have a new picture taken. (If you are renewing at the same time, the standard renewal fee applies instead.). The federal Social Security update is always free.
- When was this North Dakota guidance last checked?
- 2026-06-20. We checked every step against North Dakota'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.