The Name Path
The Texas Edition · $27

Texas

Your name change after marriage in Texas, 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

Texas, in six lines

Straight from the Texas 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 clerk in the county where your license was issued (the only source of certified copies in Texas). Agencies want originals or certified copies. Photocopies are not accepted.

  • DPS

    Texas DPS requires an in-person visit for a name change.

  • Deadline

    Texas DPS says to visit a driver license office within 30 days of your name change.

  • Social Security online

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

  • Voter registration

    Update your name online with the Texas Secretary of State, or through your county voter registrar.

  • Social Security first?

    DPS's name-change page doesn't list it. It asks for one marriage-related document (original or certified) and the replacement fee. Updating Social Security first still matters for your taxes and payroll.

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DPS

Fees (DPS fee schedule)

ItemFee
Replacement driver license (includes a name change)$11
Replacement ID card (includes a name change)$11

DPS fees include a $1 administrative fee. A replacement keeps your current expiration date.

REAL ID

REAL ID

Since May 7, 2025, TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant card or another accepted ID, such as a U.S. passport, for domestic flights. Texas began issuing compliant cards on October 10, 2016; they have a circle with an inset star in the upper right corner. If your card was issued on or after that date and has the star, DPS says no further action is needed. A card without the star still works for driving, banking and voting, but not for federal purposes.

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Step 1 · Certified copies

Where to order your marriage certificate

In Texas, certified copies of marriage licenses come only from the county clerk in the county where the license was filed. The state's Vital Statistics office (DSHS) doesn't issue certified copies. It issues verification letters ($20), which DSHS says "are not considered legal substitutes for marriage licenses." Texas DPS does list a DSHS verification letter as acceptable for a license name change, but for Social Security and your passport, get a certified copy from the county clerk. County fees vary a lot, from a few dollars to $21.

County clerkCertified copy fee (as published)How to order
Harris$7 per certified copy (free watermarked copies online for records filed after March 2003, but those aren't certified)In person at any of the clerk's 11 locations, or in writing by mail, email or fax through Public Records
Dallas$10 per copy (a non-refundable search fee; online orders add a $5 service fee and card fee)Mail, in person, or online through the clerk's ordering site
Tarrant$21 first copy; $11 each additional copy ordered at the same timeMail (check or money order with an SASE), in person, or online. A $20 search fee is kept if no record is found.
Travis$6 per certified copyCounty Clerk Recording Division
Other TX countiesSet by each county clerk. Confirm with your county.Search "[county] county clerk certified copy marriage license"
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).

Fees as published by each county clerk, checked Oct 21, 2026. See Sources.

Official forms

The Texas 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 (DPS)Texas DPS: DL/ID Application, Adult (DL-14A, PDF; mark "Address or Name Change")dps.texas.gov/internetforms/forms/dl-14a.pdf
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 titleForm 130-U Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (PDF)txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_file…
Voter registrationTX SOS: Voter name and address changestxapps.texas.gov/tolapp/sos/SOSACManager
How we checked

Checked against the agency itself

The Texas guide's verification log lists 22 state facts: 20 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 Texas Edition

Your whole Texas 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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