Change your name in Maryland
The exact steps, documents, and official Maryland links to change your name after marriage or divorce, in the correct order.
DMV / license agency
MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)License update fee
Fee applies for a corrected license/ID showing the new name (approx. $30 for a replacement license; exact current fee schedule on MVA site)
Marriage certificate
Division of Vital Records, Maryland Department of HealthVoter deadline
Voter registration and information updates (including name changes) must be submitted no later than 21 days before an election to be reflected in your record for that election; party-affiliation changes specifically must be made at least 3 weeks (21 days) before election day. Updates made after the deadline can still be handled same-day at your polling place via a Voter Update Form/same-day registration during early voting or on Election Day.
Instructions verified August 2026 against official Maryland government sites. How we verify
Book a DMV appointmentWhat Maryland asks you to bring
Documents for the MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
- Certified copy of marriage certificate (or divorce decree/court order), original/certified, not a photocopy
- Updated Social Security card / proof of SSA name change (update SSA first, wait 72 hours)
- Current Maryland driver's license or state ID
- Proof of Maryland residency (required for REAL ID-compliant credential)
- Completed MVA name/address change request (form used at branch visit)
Online or in person
Maryland does not accept the license name change online. A visit to MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is required.
REAL ID in Maryland
Bring proof of Social Security Administration name update (update SSA first and wait at least 72 hours before your MVA appointment); a certified marriage certificate or other certified name-change document is required, photocopies not accepted; if upgrading to REAL ID additional proof of residency/identity documents may be requested.
Ordering your Maryland marriage certificate
Certified copies available only for marriages on/after Jan 1, 2007 (earlier marriages: contact the circuit court in the county of marriage or the Maryland State Archives). Order online via VitalChek (additional service fee), by mail with check/money order, or in person by appointment; mail requests go to Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0036.
Division of Vital Records, Maryland Department of HealthUpdating your Maryland voter registration
Maryland lets you update your registration online. Voter registration and information updates (including name changes) must be submitted no later than 21 days before an election to be reflected in your record for that election; party-affiliation changes specifically must be made at least 3 weeks (21 days) before election day. Updates made after the deadline can still be handled same-day at your polling place via a Voter Update Form/same-day registration during early voting or on Election Day.
Update your registrationMaryland step-by-step guides
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