The Name Path
The Virginia Edition · $27

Virginia

Your name change after marriage in Virginia, 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

Virginia, in six lines

Straight from the Virginia 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 Virginia Department of Health (Office of Vital Records) or a local vital records office, at $15 per copy, or from the circuit court clerk that issued your license. Agencies want originals or certified copies.

  • DMV

    Virginia DMV requires you to change your name with Social Security first, then visit a customer service center. A replacement license is $20.

  • Deadline

    Virginia DMV's name-change pages don't give a deadline, and the 30-day rule in state law (§ 46.2-324) covers address changes. Update soon so your license matches your Social Security record.

  • Social Security online

    Virginia licenses and IDs qualify, and so do Virginia marriage records. Since both Virginia licenses and Virginia marriage records qualify, a Virginia couple married in Virginia can often use the online route.

  • Voter registration

    Virginia law says to promptly tell your general registrar about a name change. Use the Department of Elections online portal, the DMV application, or a paper form postmarked at least 11 days before the next primary or general election.

  • Social Security first?

    DMV says you must process your name change with the Social Security Administration first, before you visit DMV.

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DMV

Fees (Virginia DMV)

ItemFee
Replacement driver's license$20
Upgrade to REAL ID at the same timeplus a one-time $10

From DMV's replacement page. If your license expires within a year, you may choose to renew instead (renewal fee applies). Confirm before you go.

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. Virginia REAL ID cards have a small star inside a circle in the top right corner; cards that aren't compliant say "Federal Limits Apply". If your documents show different names, bring certified proof of each name change.

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Step 1 · Certified copies

Where to order your marriage certificate

Certified copies come from the Virginia Department of Health (Office of Vital Records, which holds marriages since 1936) or a local health department vital records office, or from the circuit court clerk that issued your marriage license. Virginia DMV accepts a marriage certificate filed with a government agency or court. It does not accept a marriage license, or a certificate signed only by the officiant.

WhereCertified copy fee (as published)How to order
Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records (Richmond)$15 per copyOnline, by mail, walk-in or drop-off with a signed application and a copy of your ID
Fairfax County Office of Vital Records$15.00 per certificate or searchIn person; marriages in Virginia from 1932 to the present
Fairfax Circuit Court (copy of the marriage license)$2.50 certified copy; $3.00 triple-seal copyPublic Service Division, Fairfax courthouse
Prince William Circuit Court$2.50 per certified copyOnline request, or the copy request form by mail or in person (Manassas Judicial Center)
Loudoun Circuit Court$2.50 certified copy; $5.00 exemplified (triple-seal) copyOnline (certified only), by mail with the request form, or in person
Other VA localitiesCircuit court clerk fees are set by state law; confirm with the court that issued your license.Search "[county or city] circuit court marriage license 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).

VDH, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun fees as published, checked Oct 21, 2026. DMV customer service centers also issue Virginia vital records; DMV's fee sheet still lists $17, but VDH says the fee is $15 from July 1, 2026. Confirm before you order. See Sources.

Official forms

The Virginia 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)Virginia DMV: Start Name Changedmv.virginia.gov/online-services/name-change
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 and Substitute Titles (VSA 67, PDF)dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/vsa67.pdf
Voter registrationVirginia Voter Forms (online and paper application)elections.virginia.gov/registration/voter-forms/
How we checked

Checked against the agency itself

The Virginia guide's verification log lists 19 state facts: 19 confirmed on the official page. Sources checked October 21, 2026.

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The Virginia Edition

Your whole Virginia 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.

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