Alabama Name Change Checklist After Marriage

Follow this sequence in Alabama:

• 1. Certified marriage certificate: order copies from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Center for Health Statistics.
• 2. Social Security (SS-5): free, and always first.
• 3. Wait 24–48 hours for the SSA record to sync.
• 4. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Driver License Division: update your license (about $36.25 (confirm with the agency)).
• 5. Passport: DS-82, DS-11, or DS-5504.
• 6. Voter registration & everyone else: bank, employer, insurers.

• 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)

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.

• Certified marriage certificate (3 copies): $30–$90
• Social Security card (Form SS-5): Free
• Driver's license update (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Driver License Division): about $36.25 (confirm with the agency)
• Passport (only if you update it): Free–$165
• Voter registration: Free

Most people spend roughly $66–$291 in Alabama: on the low end if you skip the passport, on the high end with a full passport renewal and extra certificate copies.