How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Alabama
Here's exactly how to change your name after marriage in Alabama: the right documents, the right order, and the official Alabama links you'll need.
Checked against official Alabama and federal sources in August 2026. Sources are listed at the bottom of this page.
The Alabama order of operations
The winning sequence in Alabama is: certified marriage certificate → Social Security (free, first) → wait 24–48 hours → Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Driver License Division → passport → notify everyone. Each step verifies against the one before it, so order matters.
Every Alabama step, in the right order
This page covers name change after marriage. Your free checklist puts it with the other agencies, sequenced for Alabama, so nothing gets done out of order.
Step 1: Your certified marriage certificate
Order 3–5 certified copies from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Center for Health Statistics. Photocopies aren't accepted.
Good to know for Alabama: 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.
Step 2–4: Social Security, then the DMV
File the free SS-5 with Social Security first, wait 24–48 hours, then update your license at the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Driver License Division (typically about $36.25 (confirm with the agency)). Bring:
- 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)
Step 5–6: Passport, voter registration & everyone else
Update your passport, then your Alabama voter registration (Must register or update voter registration (including name changes) no later than the 15th day before an election.), and finally your bank, employer, and insurers.
Alabama FAQs
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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