California · Name change checklist
California Name Change Checklist After Marriage
Everything you need to change your name in California, in the exact order that keeps you from getting turned away. Build your personalized version free.
The correct order in California
Follow this sequence in California:
- 1. Certified marriage certificate: order copies from the California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR).
- 2. Social Security (SS-5): free, and always first.
- 3. Wait 24–48 hours for the SSA record to sync.
- 4. California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): update your license ($37 license / $40 ID (change of info)).
- 5. Passport: DS-82, DS-11, or DS-5504.
- 6. Voter registration & everyone else: bank, employer, insurers.
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California documents to gather
- Certified copy of marriage certificate showing new name
- Updated Social Security card/record (change with SSA before visiting DMV)
- Current California driver's license or ID card
- Proof of true full name (marriage certificate suffices for non-REAL ID)
- For REAL ID upgrade: proof of identity + SSN + two proofs of CA residency (e.g., utility bill, bank statement)
What a name change costs in California
- Certified marriage certificate (3 copies): $30–$90
- Social Security card (Form SS-5): Free
- Driver's license update (California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)): $37 license / $40 ID (change of info)
- Passport (only if you update it): Free–$165
- Voter registration: Free
Most people spend roughly $67–$295 in California: on the low end if you skip the passport, on the high end with a full passport renewal and extra certificate copies.
California FAQs
Most people spend roughly $67–$295 in California: on the low end if you skip the passport, on the high end with a full passport renewal and extra certificate copies. The government forms themselves are free or low-cost; there is no fee to update Social Security.
Most people finish the government steps (Social Security, license, passport) in about 4–6 weeks in California, then the remaining accounts over 2–3 months.
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