The Name Path
The Iowa Edition · $27

Iowa

Your name change after marriage in Iowa, 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

Iowa, in six lines

Straight from the Iowa 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 (Polk, Linn, Scott and Johnson are $20 each) or Iowa HHS Vital Records ($20). Your certificate must be the one filed with the state vital records office; a church certificate isn't accepted.

  • Iowa DOT

    Update Social Security first, then make an appointment at an Iowa DOT driver's license location. A replacement license or ID with your new name is $10.

  • Deadline

    We couldn't find an Iowa deadline in days for changing the name on your license. Iowa law does give you 10 days to tell your county treasurer about a name change on a registered vehicle.

  • Social Security online

    Iowa licenses and IDs qualify, and so do Iowa marriage records. Because Iowa marriage records qualify for the online route, couples married in Iowa may be able to start their Social Security update online.

  • Voter registration

    Submit a new voter registration online or send a paper form to your county auditor. Registration closes at 5 p.m. 15 days before each election.

  • Social Security first?

    Yes. Iowa's rule says your Social Security record must be in your current legal name before Iowa DOT issues the card, so update Social Security first.

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Iowa DOT

Fees (Iowa DOT)

ItemFee
Replacement license or ID with your new name$10

From Iowa DOT's fee page. Confirm before you go.

REAL ID

REAL ID

Since May 7, 2025, you may need a REAL ID or another TSA-accepted ID, such as a passport, for domestic flights. An Iowa REAL ID has a gold star in the upper-right corner.

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Step 1 · Certified copies

Where to order your marriage certificate

In Iowa, certified marriage records are sold by county recorders and by Iowa HHS Vital Records. Iowa DOT accepts a marriage certificate filed with a state vital records office, with its original seal; church or chapel certificates, photocopies and faxes aren't accepted. Linn and Johnson County Recorders ask for a notarized application and a copy of your ID.

WhereCertified copy fee (as published)How to order
Polk County Recorder$20 (since July 1, 2026)Contact the recorder's vital records office
Linn County Recorder$20 eachNotarized application, copy of government ID and $20
Scott County Recorder$20 (after July 1, 2026)Contact the recorder's office
Johnson County Recorder$20Notarized application and photo ID; 1954-onward marriages from any Iowa county
Iowa HHS Vital Records$20.00 (kept as a search fee if no record is found); VitalChek costs extraMail or VitalChek
Other IA countiesSet by each county recorder. Confirm with your county.Search "[county] recorder marriage certificate"
Married in another stateOrder certified copies from the office that issued your certificate in that state.See that state's vital records office

Fees as published by the Polk, Linn, Scott and Johnson County Recorders and Iowa HHS, checked Oct 22, 2026. See Sources.

Official forms

The Iowa 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 (Iowa DOT)Iowa DOT: Change your informationiowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/other-se…
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 titleNo corrected title needed; replacement registration from your county treasurerAsk the agency.iowataxandtags.org/vehicle-registration/frequent…
Voter registrationState of Iowa Official Voter Registration Form (PDF)sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/voteapp.pdf
How we checked

Checked against the agency itself

The Iowa guide's verification log lists 17 state facts: 15 confirmed on the official page, and 2 we couldn't confirm, which the guide marks "ask the agency". Sources checked October 22, 2026.

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The Iowa Edition

Your whole Iowa name change, one clear path

$27

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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.

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