Change your name in Alabama
The exact steps, documents, and official Alabama links to change your name after marriage or divorce, in the correct order.
DMV / license agency
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Driver License DivisionLicense update fee
Standard duplicate license fee of $36.25 (name changes are processed as a duplicate license; no separate name-change fee listed)
Marriage certificate
Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Center for Health StatisticsVoter deadline
Must register or update voter registration (including name changes) no later than the 15th day before an election.
To see how Alabama's license fee compares with every other state, use our name change fee table.
Instructions verified August 2026 against official Alabama government sites. How we verify
DMV appointment optionsWhat Alabama asks you to bring
Documents for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Driver License Division
- Certified marriage certificate (original or certified copy)
- Updated Social Security card (proof SSA record already reflects new name; 24-hour waiting period after SSA visit)
- Current Alabama driver license or state ID
- Proof of residency document (for REAL ID compliance)
- Payment for duplicate license fee ($36.25)
Online or in person
Alabama does not accept the license name change online. A visit to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Driver License Division is required.
REAL ID in Alabama
Must wait 24 hours after updating your name with the Social Security Administration before ALEA can process the name change on your license; bring proof of SSA update along with certified marriage certificate.
Ordering your Alabama marriage certificate
Order online/by phone via VitalChek (1-888-279-9888), by mail to Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625, or in person at any county health department. Search/certified copy fee is $15.00; additional copies same order $6.00 each; $15.00 expedite fee.
Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Center for Health StatisticsUpdating your Alabama voter registration
Alabama lets you update your registration online. Must register or update voter registration (including name changes) no later than the 15th day before an election.
Update your registrationAlabama step-by-step guides
Sources
We checked the details on this page against the official sources below in August 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything you are about to act on at the agency's own page. The legal citations were last re-read against their sources in October 2026. How we verify.
- State agencyAlabama: ordering a certified marriage certificate
- State agencyAlabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Driver License Division: name change on a license or ID
- State agencyAlabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Driver License Division: appointments
- State agencyAlabama official voter registration page
- The lawAla. Code § 17-3-50Registration is closed within 14 days before an election, so the last day is the 15th day before.
- FederalSocial Security Administration: change your name
- FederalSocial Security Administration: Form SS-5
- FederalU.S. Department of State: change or correct a passport
NameWright is not a government agency and this is not legal advice. We prepare your paperwork; you file it.
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