How to Change a Name After Marriage in North Carolina

Many women assume their spouse’s surname after marriage. They do not have to, but if they do and they reside in North Carolina, state government agencies, like the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles make it easy.

A new spouse first needs to get a copy of their certificate of marriage and inform the Social Security Administration of the name change before changing the name on their driver’s license, vehicle title and registration, and U.S. passport, if they have one.

When someone gets married in North Carolina, the marriage certificate will be filed with the county where they first obtained a marriage license. The person who officiates the ceremony has a maximum of 10 days to return the couple's marriage certificate to the county Register of Deeds office. It takes approximately two weeks to request a certified copy of a marriage certificate.

The certificate includes the names of the married couple, their address, the marriage date, and the date when the license was issued. Couples can order copies of their marriage certificate online through the North Carolina Vital Records office or by calling 919-733-3000.

When legally changing their name, the spouse must get a new Social Security card. They can begin the process for a corrected card online, but must show the following documents at a local Social Security office:

• Marriage certificate showing their name and age or date of birth.
• U.S. government employee ID card.
• Non-government employee card or badge with name and a photo, or date of birth.
• Health insurance or Medicaid card with their name and a photo, or date of birth.
• School ID card or a current transcript with their name and a photo or their date of birth.
• Life insurance policy showing their name and either their age or date of birth.
• Filled out and printed Application for a Social Security Card.

The Social Security Administration will send the updated Social Security card to the applicant as soon as it receives all the necessary information to process the request. Applicants should receive their new card within 10 business days. Mail-in card applications may take up to four weeks to process.

For North Carolina driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs, individuals who change their name must contact the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) within 60 days after the change to get a new driver’s license card.

A person changing their name must do so at the Social Security Administration at least 24 hours before changing it at the NCDMV, as the department will confirm the individual’s name change with Social Security through its online verification system.

A person who completes a name change through their local court clerk must bring the following required documents to a DMV driver’s license office:

• Proof establishing that the name change was officially accomplished through the court.
• A notarized DL-101 affidavit.

To change the name on a vehicle’s title or registration in North Carolina, individuals must fill out a Corrected or Substitute Title Application (MVR-5) and submit it with a fee to the DMV office in person or by mail to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Renewal, Title & Plate Unit, 3148 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697.

Applicants must submit the title at the same time as the registration if they have it. If the lien holder still has the title, the NCDMV will contact that party for the original title, which will be canceled, and a new title will be issued.

When a person gets married, they need to change their name on their U.S. passport. If they request the change less than a year after the original passport’s issuance, they’ll need to submit these documents to the National Passport Processing Center, P.O. Box 90107 Philadelphia, PA 19190-0107.

• Form DS-5504.
• Most recent passport.
• Color passport photo.
• Original or certified document showing the name change. Newly married applicants can skip this step by presenting an official ID issued in their new name.

If they request the change more than one year after their passport was first issued, they’ll submit the following to the National Passport Processing Center at the address above:

• Form DS-82.
• Most recent passport.
• Color passport photo.
• Original or certified document showing the name change. Newly married applicants can skip this step if they present an official ID issued in their new name.

If they cannot use form DS-82, they must use Form DS-11 with a photocopy showing evidence of their U.S. citizenship.

The costs for a name change may seem small, but they can add up. Changing a name through the Social Security Administration is free, as is changing the name on a property deed (although this change is not required.) However, there are some filing fees a spouse will have to pay, for example:

• $15 to change name on a current driver’s license.
• $21.50 to change name on a vehicle’s title and registration.

When changing a name on a passport, the cost varies depending on what name change form the applicant uses and when the passport was issued. The Department of State has an easy-to-use fee calculator so applicants can determine how much they’ll pay for the correction.