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Remarriage & second marriage · .gov-verified Last verified 2026-07-07

Name Change After Remarriage: Second Marriage Name Change

Changing your name after a second or later marriage works the same way as the first time — you present your most recent marriage certificate, not earlier ones. The one thing to confirm first: the 'current name' on the Social Security application must match the name already on your Social Security card, which may be a prior married name if you changed it after a previous marriage and never changed it back.

The steps for your situation

  1. Confirm your current legal name

    Your 'current name' is the name on your Social Security card right now — not your birth name, unless you never updated your card. If you changed your name after a previous marriage, that prior married name is your current legal name and is what you list on the Social Security form. Confirming this before you visit SSA prevents a documentation mismatch.

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  2. Change your name with Social Security using your new certificate (free)

    Apply for a corrected Social Security card with Form SS-5. Social Security needs your most recent marriage certificate as evidence of the name change — prior marriage certificates are not required. There is no fee. Bring an original or issuing-agency-certified copy (not a photocopy) to your local Social Security office.

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  3. Update your driver's license / REAL ID

    After SSA, bring your updated SSA record and your marriage certificate to your state DMV. The DMV verifies your name against SSA's records, so doing SSA first prevents a rejection. REAL ID has been enforced since May 7, 2025.

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  4. Change your passport

    If your passport was issued less than a year ago, change the name for free with Form DS-5504 and a certified copy of your marriage certificate. If it is older than a year, renew using Form DS-82. You mail in your current passport, so plan around any travel.

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Official 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

Do I need to bring my first marriage certificate when changing my name after a second marriage?
No. Social Security only needs your most recent marriage certificate as evidence of the name change. You do not need to provide certificates from earlier marriages.
What if my legal name is still my first married name?
That is your current legal name, and it goes in the 'current name' field on the Social Security application. You would be changing from your first married name to your new married name — your most recent marriage certificate supports that.
What if I went back to my maiden name between marriages?
Your maiden name is your current legal name and goes on the Social Security form. The most recent marriage certificate is still the only name-change document you need.

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