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Name change after marriage in Washington: checklist and DMV steps
The order to change your name after marriage in Washington, and what the Washington State Department of Licensing asks for, from its own pages. Each step links its source.
How to change your name after marriage in Washington
Get certified copies of your marriage certificate first. Then change your name with Social Security, then at the Washington State Department of Licensing for your license or ID, then on your passport, then with your bank, employer and everything else.
The steps, in order
- Certified copies of your marriage certificate. Request a certified copy from King County after the certificate is recorded; $3 per copy. (Source: kingcounty.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
- Social Security. You change your name with Social Security by requesting a replacement card. Depending on your situation you may be able to request it online; if not, you make an appointment at a local office. (Source: ssa.gov, checked October 26, 2026)
- Your Washington driver's license or ID. The Washington State Department of Licensing: what its pages say is below.
- Your passport. The U.S. Department of State handles passports. Its site did not let us read it automatically when we checked, so open its passport pages for the form that fits your passport.
- Everything else. Bank and credit accounts, your employer, insurance, voter registration and the rest: the name change after marriage checklist lists them in order.
USAGov lists the agencies to tell after a name change, including Social Security, your state driver license office and the U.S. passport office, and says to use certified copies of documents such as a marriage certificate as proof. (Source: usa.gov, checked October 26, 2026)
Changing your name at the Washington State Department of Licensing
From the agency’s own pages, last checked October 30, 2026. Open the Washington State Department of Licensing page. Fees and rules change: confirm on that page before you go.
- What to do
- Update your name with Social Security, book a licensing office appointment, bring proof of identity and name change, pay the new license fee, and get a new photo. (Source: dol.wa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
- Documents accepted as proof of the new name
- Certified marriage certificate or license (not church forms), certified court order or divorce decree, original birth certificate, other filed legal action, or an A-list document with the new name. (Source: dol.wa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
- Fee
- $20 for an updated card when you change your name, whether in person or online. (Source: dol.wa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
- In person or online
- Name changes are handled at an in-person appointment at a driver licensing office, where a new photo is taken. The page describes no online name change. (Source: dol.wa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
- Social Security first
- Update your name with the Social Security Administration before your driver licensing office appointment. (Source: dol.wa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
- Deadline
- No deadline for a name change is stated on the pages we read. Official page
Common questions
How do I change my name on my Washington driver's license after marriage?
Update your name with Social Security, book a licensing office appointment, bring proof of identity and name change, pay the new license fee, and get a new photo.
How much does it cost to change the name on a Washington license?
$20 for an updated card when you change your name, whether in person or online.
What documents do I need to change my name at the Washington DMV?
Certified marriage certificate or license (not church forms), certified court order or divorce decree, original birth certificate, other filed legal action, or an A-list document with the new name.
Do I need to update Social Security before the Washington DMV?
Update your name with the Social Security Administration before your driver licensing office appointment.
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