Florida Name Change Checklist After Marriage

Follow this sequence in Florida:

• 1. Certified marriage certificate: order copies from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• 2. Social Security (SS-5): free, and always first.
• 3. Wait 24–48 hours for the SSA record to sync.
• 4. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV): update your license ($6.25–$25 (varies; confirm with the agency)).
• 5. Passport: DS-82, DS-11, or DS-5504.
• 6. Voter registration & everyone else: bank, employer, insurers.

• Original or certified copy of marriage certificate (photocopies not accepted; must be recognized by the State of Florida, not a church-issued certificate)
• Current Florida driver license or ID card
• Proof of Social Security number
• Proof of Florida residency (two documents, e.g. utility bill, bank statement)
• Proof of citizenship or lawful presence (e.g. birth certificate or U.S. passport)

Good to know for Florida: Order online via VitalChek (contracted vendor) with a credit card, or by mail/in person directly at the Bureau of Vital Statistics (1217 N Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL 32202). State fee is $5 for the first certified copy (includes required search fee) and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time when ordering directly from the state; VitalChek adds its own processing fee on top. Records available for FL marriages from June 1, 1927 to present; allow ~60 days after the ceremony before the record is available.

• Certified marriage certificate (3 copies): $30–$90
• Social Security card (Form SS-5): Free
• Driver's license update (Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)): $6.25–$25 (varies; confirm with the agency)
• Passport (only if you update it): Free–$165
• Voter registration: Free

Most people spend roughly $36–$280 in Florida: on the low end if you skip the passport, on the high end with a full passport renewal and extra certificate copies.