The Name Path
The California Edition · $27

California

Your name change after marriage in California, in the right order: Social Security, your driver's license or state ID, your passport, voter registration and everything after, with every fact checked against the official source.

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At a glance

California, in six lines

Straight from the California guide. Where we couldn't confirm something from an official source, the guide says to ask the agency, and so does this page.

  • Certified copies

    From the county recorder or clerk in the county where your license was issued (CDPH Vital Records also has many public marriages). Ask for an authorized certified copy. Agencies want originals or certified copies; photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted.

  • DMV

    California's DMV requires a field-office visit to finish.

  • Deadline

    California DMV's name-change page gives no deadline (the 10-day rule on that page is for address changes).

  • Social Security online

    California licenses and IDs qualify. Since California licenses qualify, a California resident is usually only limited by where they married.

  • Voter registration

    California says you must re-register under your new name, ideally after DMV has it.

  • Social Security first?

    DMV's page doesn't ask for it. What it needs is for SSA's records to show your new name, because DMV verifies your information with SSA first. For a REAL ID you enter your Social Security number on the application.

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DMV

Fees (DMV licensing fees page)

ItemFee
Class C license: change DL/ID information$37
Regular ID card (includes changing information)$40
Reduced-fee ID card (if eligible)$11
Senior (62+) ID cardNo fee

Fees from DMV's licensing-fees page. Other license classes differ. Confirm at your visit.

REAL ID

REAL ID

Since May 7, 2025, TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant card (California's is marked with a golden bear and a star) or another accepted ID, such as a U.S. passport, for domestic flights. A non-REAL ID card reads "Federal Limits Apply." If you want your new-name card to be a REAL ID, choose it in the online application, upload your documents there, and bring the originals to the office.

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Step 1 · Certified copies

Where to order your marriage certificate

California lets you choose your new name on the marriage license application itself. Under Family Code § 306.5, either or both of you may enter a new middle and/or last name there, and a certified copy of the marriage certificate showing it is your proof of the change. That choice can only be made when the license is issued. California has two kinds of marriage licenses, and that changes who can give you copies. For a public marriage, the county recorder issues certified copies, and CDPH Vital Records can too for many years. For a confidential marriage, only the county clerk where the license was issued has the record, and only the two spouses can get a copy. For a name change, ask for an authorized certified copy: an informational copy is stamped as not valid to establish identity.

WhereCertified copy fee (as published)How to order
Los Angeles County (Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk)$19 per certified copy, public or confidential recordBy mail with check or money order: the application's Certificate of Identity must be notarized for an authorized copy. Mailed within 20 business days of receipt.
San Diego County (Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk)$19 per marriage certificate (cards add a $2.50 surcharge in person)In person (sign the application before a clerk, photo ID), or online only through VitalChek (+$12.95 handling). Allow 10 business days after the license is returned for registration.
Orange County (Clerk-Recorder)$19 per certified copyIn person, or by mail with the Vital Records Request Form, which must be signed and notarized. Orange County only holds licenses it issued. Most orders take 5–10 business days.
Riverside County (Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder)$19 per copy, public or confidentialOnline (identity check, or a notarized statement), by mail or in person. Only for licenses issued in Riverside County.
CDPH Vital Records (state)$19 per copy, by mailPublic marriages only, for 1905–1999, 2001 and 2008–2025 (not 2000 or 2002–2007). An authorized copy needs the notarized sworn statement in the application. No confidential marriages.
Other CA countiesSet by each county. Confirm with your county recorder or clerk.Search "[county] recorder marriage certificate copy"
Married in another stateOrder certified copies from the office that issued your certificate in that state (often a state vital records office or county clerk). California offices only hold California marriages.

Fees as published by the Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange and Riverside county offices and CDPH, checked Oct 21, 2026. We list the largest counties; for any other county, check with your county recorder or clerk. See Sources.

Official forms

The California forms, straight from the source

Every link goes to the agency's own page or PDF; we never host copies. Where we couldn't confirm a downloadable form, the row says to ask the agency. Your guide explains which form fits your situation. Links checked Oct 23, 2026.

ForFormOfficial link
Social SecuritySS-5: Application for a Social Security Card (PDF)ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
Social SecuritySSA online: Apply for a Social Security Cardsecure.ssa.gov/ossnap/public/
Driver's license or ID (DMV)California DMV Driver's License / ID Card Application (online DL 44)dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identi…
PassportDS-5504: Application for a U.S. Passport for Eligible Individuals: correction, name change to a passport issued 1 year ago or less, and limited passport replacement (PDF)eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds5504_pdf.PDF
PassportDS-82: U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals (PDF)eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82_pdf.PDF
PassportDS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport (PDF)eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11_pdf.PDF
Vehicle titleApplication for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227, PDF)dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/reg-227-pdf/
Voter registrationRe-register to vote (CA Secretary of State)registertovote.ca.gov/
How we checked

Checked against the agency itself

The California guide's verification log lists 35 state facts: 33 confirmed on the official page, and 2 we couldn't confirm, which the guide marks "ask the agency". Sources checked October 21, 2026.

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The California Edition

Your whole California name change, one clear path

$27

14-day refund, no questions asked · One-time payment, no subscription

Changing your name with Social Security is free. You can apply directly with the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You don't need to buy this guide, or anything else, to do it.

Private by design · We never ask for your Social Security number, birth date or ID numbers

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