How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Georgia

The winning sequence in Georgia is: certified marriage certificate → Social Security (free, first) → wait 24–48 hours → Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) → passport → notify everyone. Each step verifies against the one before it, so order matters.

Order 3–5 certified copies from the Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records. Photocopies aren't accepted.

Good to know for Georgia: Statewide marriage records covered are from June 9, 1952 to present. Process is primarily mail-in (complete and mail the Request for Search of Marriage form or Marriage Verification Request form); $10 search fee plus $5 per additional copy. For marriages before June 1952 or for faster/in-person same-day service, contact the Probate Court in the county where the marriage license was issued.

File the free SS-5 with Social Security first, wait 24–48 hours, then update your license at the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) (typically about $32 (confirm with the agency)). Bring:

• Certified marriage certificate (name-change document)
• Current Georgia driver's license or ID card
• Updated Social Security card showing new name (update SSA first, then wait 24-48 hours before visiting DDS)
• Two proofs of Georgia residency (for REAL ID compliance)
• For hyphenated surnames: certified copy of the marriage license application showing the hyphenated name selection

Update your passport, then your Georgia voter registration (Registration updates (including name changes) must be submitted by the 5th Monday before the election, which works out to 29 days before Election Day (per the Georgia Secretary of State).), and finally your bank, employer, and insurers.