How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Louisiana

The winning sequence in Louisiana is: certified marriage certificate → Social Security (free, first) → wait 24–48 hours → Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), Dept. of Public Safety → passport → notify everyone. Each step verifies against the one before it, so order matters.

Order 3–5 certified copies from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry, Louisiana Department of Health. Photocopies aren't accepted.

Good to know for Louisiana: The state Vital Records Registry holds marriage records ONLY for licenses purchased in Orleans Parish: $5.00 per certified copy plus a $0.50 state charge on mail or VitalChek orders (LDH service-fee schedule, checked 2026-08). For a marriage in any other parish, order certified copies from the Clerk of Court in the parish that issued the license; fees vary by parish.

File the free SS-5 with Social Security first, wait 24–48 hours, then update your license at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), Dept. of Public Safety (typically $0–$13 (varies; confirm with the agency)). Bring:

• Certified marriage certificate or court order showing new name
• Current Louisiana driver's license or state ID card
• Proof of Social Security Administration name update (update SSA first, wait 24+ hours)
• Proof of Louisiana residency (e.g., utility bill, lease) especially for REAL ID
• Proof of car insurance if renewing/updating a vehicle-linked license

Update your passport, then your Louisiana voter registration (Must submit updates/registration at least 20 days before an election when using the GeauxVote online system with a Louisiana driver's license/special ID (audit code required); 30 days before an election if registering/updating by mail or in person.), and finally your bank, employer, and insurers.