How to Change Your Name in New York After Marriage (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)
Your wedding day may be behind you, but if you’re planning to take your spouse’s last name, one important step remains: legally changing your name. The name change process in New York is straightforward once you understand where to start and the correct order to follow.
Whether you’re newly married in New York City or celebrating upstate, this guide breaks down exactly how to change your name in New York after marriage—from requesting your marriage certificate to updating your Social Security card, DMV record, passport, and more.
Marriage License and Marriage Certificates in New York
A Marriage License is the document you must obtain from a city, town, or county clerk’s office before your marriage ceremony. Think of it as a government application that grants you the legal right to get married.
A Marriage Certificate is the official legal and public record that proves a couple is legally married. The certificate is typically mailed to you a couple of weeks after your wedding. This is the crucial document that allows you to legally change your name with various agencies. Your Marriage Certificate is the foundation of your name change. It provides legal proof of marriage and is required when updating your identity across federal, state, and financial institutions.
How to Get Your Marriage License in New York
Before you can receive your Marriage Certificate, you must first obtain a Marriage License. Both partners must apply in person or online at a New York City, town, or county clerk’s office.
A New York State Marriage License is valid for 60 days (or 180 days for active military personnel).
On your Marriage License application, you must select your new surname or middle name. This is extremely important—your chosen name must appear on the license to avoid a court petition later. Learn more about Name Change Options or the Domestic Relations Law.
Name Change Options in New York Include:
- Taking the surname of either spouse
- Taking both last names, separated by a space
- Hyphenating both last names
- Making your maiden name your new middle name or adding your maiden name to your current middle name
Fee & ID Requirements
- Fee: $40 in NYC / $35 outside NYC
- ID Required: Driver’s license, U.S. passport, or other government-issued ID
After your ceremony, your officiant will submit the completed license back to the clerk’s office.
Remember: The Marriage License gives you the right to get married, but it does not prove marriage.
How to Get Your Marriage Certificate in New York
Marriage Certificates in New York City
If you’re getting married in NYC, your Marriage Certificate is issued by the NYC Office of the City Clerk.
- After your ceremony, the officiant files the license, and the County Clerk will process your marriage and name change.
- Your marriage certificate arrives by mail in approximately 20 days.
Click here to learn more.
Marriage Certificates in New York State:
If you marry in New York State, the process is the same; your Marriage Certificate is issued by the County Clerk’s Office.
- After your ceremony, the officiant files the license, and the County Clerk will process your marriage and name change.
- Your marriage certificate arrives by mail in approximately 20 days.
Click here to learn more.
Remember, the Marriage Certificate is the document that allows you to legally change your name with various agencies. In addition, it is legal proof of marriage.
If you want to alter your first name or make other modifications, you’ll need to petition the court (details below).
How To Change Your Name on Your Social Security Card After Marriage in New York
Your first legal update should always be with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This ensures your new name matches across all government and employment records.
To update your Social Security card:
- Complete Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card)
- Gather your Marriage Certificate, and Photo ID (valid passport or license/state ID)
- Submit your application online, by mail, or in person at your local Social Security office.
There’s no fee for a new card. Your updated card should arrive in about two to three weeks, showing your new name but the same Social Security number.
Once your SSA record is updated, you may move on to updating your New York driver’s license and passport.
Tip: While waiting for your new Social Security card, you can notify your employer or HR department so they can prepare to update payroll and tax records once your SSA name change is official.
How to Change Your Name on Your New York State Driver’s License or ID
After your Social Security card record reflects your new name, the next step is to update your driver’s license or state ID through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can visit any DMV in New York State to complete the process. You can also update your title/registration and voter registration at the same appointment. Save time and make an appointment
This update must be done in person.
Bring the following to the DMV:
- Completed Form MV-44 (you may update your address at the same time)
- Your current driver’s license or ID
- Your certified Marriage Certificate
- Your updated Social Security card
- Your valid passport or birth certificate
- Two proofs of address (in your former or new name)
The fee to replace your license or ID is usually around $20. The DMV will take a new photo and issue a temporary license. Your updated ID will arrive in the mail within approximately two weeks.
How to Change Your Name on Your Passport After Marriage in New York
Changing your name on your passport is a federal process handled by the U.S. Department of State. The form you use depends on how recently your passport was issued. Don’t forget, you can always use the Passport Now App to obtain the correct passport forms and compliant passport photos.
Passport issued less than 1 year ago:
- Use Form DS-5504
- Free update
- Requires your current passport, a certified Marriage Certificate, and a new passport photo.
- This must be completed by mail.
Passport issued more than 1 year ago (but within 15 years):
- Use Form DS-82 (mail-in renewal)
- Include your current passport, certified Marriage Certificate, new passport photo, and renewal fee
- Fee: $130 for a passport book / $30 for a passport card
- With the DS-82 form, you can update your name and renew your passport at the same time, as long as your passport wasn’t issued over 15 years ago, and you were under 16.
Passport issued more than 15 years ago or under 16 (or lost/stolen):
- Use Form DS-11
- Must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility
Expedited Processing
You may expedite processing for an additional $60, reducing turnaround time to about 2–3 weeks. If you are traveling soon, the New York Passport Agency in Manhattan offers in-person appointments.
Court Petitions for Name Changes Not Listed on Your Marriage Certificate
If you didn’t list your intended new name on your Marriage License or if your Marriage Certificate doesn’t reflect the change you want, you’ll need to petition the court for a legal name change.
In New York State, this process is handled in the Civil Court or the Supreme Court in your county. You’ll need to:
- Complete a Petition for Name Change and a Proposed Order (forms available on the New York Courts website).
- File the documents with your local court clerk and pay the filing fee.
- Once the judge approves your request, you’ll receive a court order authorizing your new name.
Your court order will function in the same way as a Marriage Certificate when updating your name on all government and financial documents. HitchSwitch can still help with this, too!
Final Tips for Your New York Name Change
Changing your name in New York becomes simple when you follow the correct order.
- Update your Social Security record
- Update your New York driver’s license or ID
- Update your passport
- Update remaining records such as banks, insurance, employer, voter registration, and more
Always order multiple certified copies of your marriage certificate to avoid delays.
If the paperwork feels overwhelming, HitchSwitch can simplify the entire process for you. With pre-filled forms, step-by-step instructions, and personalized support, HitchSwitch helps you complete your New York name change quickly and confidently.
Once everything is official, celebrate—you’ve just taken the first step into your next chapter together!
FAQs: Changing Your Name in New York After Marriage
- How do I legally change my name in New York after marriage?
- To legally change your name in New York after marriage, you will need your certified Marriage Certificate. Start by updating your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA), then update your New York State driver’s license or ID at the DMV, and finally update your passport and other accounts.
- Is my Marriage License the same as my Marriage Certificate?
- No. A Marriage License allows you to get married, while a Marriage Certificate proves you are married. Only the Marriage Certificate can be used for legal name changes.
- How long does it take to receive a Marriage Certificate in New York?
- Most Marriage Certificates in New York and New York City arrive by mail within approximately 20 days after your officiant files your completed Marriage License.
- Can I change my first name when I get married in New York?
- Not through your Marriage Certificate. New York only allows surname and middle-name changes through marriage. To change your first name, you must file a court-ordered name-change petition.
- What name-change options can I select on a New York Marriage License?
- New York allows you to choose from several options, including:
- Taking your spouse’s surname
- Hyphenating your surnames
- Combining surnames
- Making your maiden name your middle name
- Adding your maiden name to your current middle name
- Do I need my original or a certified Marriage Certificate to change my name?
- Yes. Government agencies—including the SSA, DMV, and U.S. Department of State—require a certified or the original Marriage Certificate to process your name change.
- How do I change my name on my Social Security card in New York?
- Submit Form SS-5 with your certified Marriage Certificate and valid ID either online, by mail, or in person at a Social Security office. New cards arrive in 2–3 weeks.
- Do I have to update my Social Security record before going to the New York DMV?
- Yes. The DMV electronically verifies your updated SSA record. You must update your Social Security name first before changing your New York driver’s license or state ID.
- Can I change my name at the DMV online?
- No. Name changes must be completed in person at a New York State DMV office.
- What documents do I need to change my name at the New York DMV?
- You will need:
- Your current license or ID
- Certified Marriage Certificate
- Updated Social Security card
- Valid passport or birth certificate
- Two proofs of address
- Form MV-44
- How do I change my name on my passport after marriage?
- Use the appropriate form based on your passport’s issue date:
- DS-5504 if issued less than 1 year ago
- DS-82 if issued 1–15 years ago
- DS-11 if older than 15 years or if you don’t meet renewal requirements
- What if the name I want isn’t listed on my Marriage License?
- You will need to file a court-ordered name change with the Civil Court or Supreme Court in your county. Once approved, your court order becomes your legal proof for all name-change updates
- How long does the entire name-change process take in New York?
- Timelines vary, but most people complete the full update—SSA, DMV, passport, and major accounts—within 4–8 weeks, depending on processing times.
- Does HitchSwitch help with New York name changes?
- Yes! HitchSwitch provides pre-filled forms, step-by-step instructions, and personalized support to make your New York name-change process fast and stress-free. HitchSwitch can also assist with court-ordered name changes when needed.
