How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Maryland

The winning sequence in Maryland is: certified marriage certificate → Social Security (free, first) → wait 24–48 hours → MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) → passport → notify everyone. Each step verifies against the one before it, so order matters.

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

Good to know for Maryland: 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.

File the free SS-5 with Social Security first, wait 24–48 hours, then update your license at the MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) (typically about $30 (confirm with the agency)). Bring:

• 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)

Update your passport, then your Maryland voter registration (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.), and finally your bank, employer, and insurers.