New York Name Change Checklist After Marriage

Follow this sequence in New York:

• 1. Certified marriage certificate: order copies from the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Certification Unit (Albany), for marriages outside NYC; NYC marriages are handled separately by the NYC Office of the City Clerk.
• 2. Social Security (SS-5): free, and always first.
• 3. Wait 24–48 hours for the SSA record to sync.
• 4. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV): update your license ($5–$12.50 (varies; confirm with the agency)).
• 5. Passport: DS-82, DS-11, or DS-5504.
• 6. Voter registration & everyone else: bank, employer, insurers.

• Completed Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form MV-44)
• Current driver license, permit, or non-driver ID card
• Original or certified copy of U.S. marriage certificate (or divorce decree/court order if applicable)
• Updated Social Security card / SSN on file matching the new name
• 6 points of proof of identity and date of birth if no acceptable current photo document is available

Good to know for New York: NYS DOH Vital Records (Albany) issues marriage certificates for marriages outside New York City ($30 per copy by mail; the issuing town or city clerk can also provide copies, often faster). Marriages performed in NYC are ordered from the NYC Office of the City Clerk instead.

• Certified marriage certificate (3 copies): $30–$90
• Social Security card (Form SS-5): Free
• Driver's license update (New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV)): $5–$12.50 (varies; confirm with the agency)
• Passport (only if you update it): Free–$165
• Voter registration: Free

Most people spend roughly $35–$268 in New York: on the low end if you skip the passport, on the high end with a full passport renewal and extra certificate copies.