Tennessee Name Change Checklist After Marriage
Everything you need to change your name in Tennessee, in the exact order that keeps you from getting turned away. Build your personalized version free.
Checked against official Tennessee and federal sources in August 2026. Sources are listed at the bottom of this page.
The correct order in Tennessee
Follow this sequence in Tennessee:
- 1. Certified marriage certificate: order copies from the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
- 2. Social Security (SS-5): free, and always first.
- 3. Wait 24–48 hours for the SSA record to sync.
- 4. Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Driver Services Division: update your license (an amount that depends on your situation (confirm with the agency)).
- 5. Passport: DS-82, DS-11, or DS-5504.
- 6. Voter registration & everyone else: bank, employer, insurers.
Every Tennessee step, in the right order
This page covers name change checklist. Your free checklist puts it with the other agencies, sequenced for Tennessee, so nothing gets done out of order.
Tennessee documents to gather
- Certified copy of marriage certificate from Tennessee Vital Records or county clerk (original or certified copy only, no photocopies/faxes)
- Current Tennessee driver's license or ID
- Proof that Social Security Administration record has been updated with new name (recommended before DMV visit)
- Proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, etc.) if updating for REAL ID compliance
- Completed in-person application at a Driver Services Center (no separate form needed to bring, but bring proof of identity/citizenship if upgrading to REAL ID)
Good to know for Tennessee: Certified copy of marriage certificate costs $15 per copy; can be ordered online via VitalChek, by mail (Tennessee Vital Records, Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243), or in person. Requires a signed application and a valid government-issued photo ID; mail requests take about 4 weeks.
What a name change costs in Tennessee
- Certified marriage certificate (3 copies, at typical prices): $30–$90
- Social Security card (Form SS-5): Free
- Driver's license update (Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Driver Services Division): Varies, see the Tennessee license page
- Passport (only if you update it): Free–$165
- Voter registration: Free
The Tennessee DMV fee depends on your situation, so it isn't included here. Not counting it, most people spend roughly $30 to $255, depending on certificate copies and whether they renew a passport.
Tennessee FAQs
Sources
We checked the details on this page against the official sources below in August 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything you are about to act on at the agency's own page. The legal citations were last re-read against their sources in October 2026. How we verify.
- State agencyTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records: certified copies
- State agencyTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Driver Services Division: name change on a license or ID
- State agencyTennessee official voter registration page
- State agencyTennessee Secretary of State: how to update your voter registrationThe state's page: a name change needs a signed form received 5 days before the election; new registrations close 30 days before.
- FederalSocial Security Administration: change your name
- FederalSocial Security Administration: Form SS-5
- FederalU.S. Department of State: change or correct a passport
NameWright is not a government agency and this is not legal advice. We prepare your paperwork; you file it.
Ready to change your name in Tennessee?
Your free checklist already knows it's Tennessee. Answer three quick questions and every step is sequenced for you.