Four government offices, then roughly a dozen accounts. Work top to bottom — every item below reuses the same three documents, and the order exists so nothing gets rejected and sent back.
Before you begin: gather three documents
Two certified copies of your marriage certificate, with the raised seal — not the ceremonial one.
A valid photo ID: driver's license, state ID, or passport. Your maiden name on it is fine.
Proof of U.S. citizenship: a certified birth certificate or your current passport.
Government records, in order
Social Security — free, and the record everything else verifies against.
Passport — DS-5504, DS-82, or DS-11 depending on issue date. Skip until after any upcoming travel.
Driver's license — 48 hours after the new Social Security card arrives.
Voter registration, in your state — usually the same online form as an address change.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck — update the trusted traveller profile once your passport matches.
Financial accounts
Checking, savings, and joint accounts — plus reissued debit cards.
Every credit card issuer.
Mortgage, auto loan, and student loan servicers.
Brokerage and retirement accounts — and their beneficiary designations, which are the most commonly missed item on this page.
Payment apps and anything that verifies identity against your bank name.
Employer, insurance, and tax
HR and payroll — do this before year-end so your W-2 matches Social Security.
Health, dental, and vision plans, including dependents.
Life insurance policies and their beneficiaries.
Auto, renters, and homeowners policies.
Your tax preparer or filing software. No separate IRS name-change form is needed — the IRS matches against the SSA.
Credentials and everyday accounts
Professional licences, certifications, and any registry that governs your work.
Academic degrees, transcripts, and alumni records.
Utilities, internet, and mobile carrier.
Lease or property title, and your landlord or HOA.
Doctors, dentists, pharmacy, and veterinarian.
Airline loyalty programmes — the name must match your passport for international itineraries.
Post office mail-forwarding, if you also moved.
Frequently asked
What do I need to change my name after marriage?
At minimum: certified copies of your marriage certificate, a valid photo ID, and proof of citizenship such as a certified birth certificate or current passport. Everything else on the list reuses those same documents.
How many certified marriage certificate copies should I order?
Order two. One is usually held during a mailed application, and having a spare prevents a multi-week pause if an office keeps it or a mailing goes astray.
What do people most often forget to update?
Beneficiary designations on retirement and life insurance accounts, professional licenses and certifications, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, voter registration, and the name on academic degrees or transcripts.
Do I need to notify the IRS separately?
No separate IRS form is required for a marriage name change. The IRS matches your return against Social Security records, so updating the SSA before you file is what matters.