Name Change After Marriage in Maryland: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Maryland Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
In Maryland, changing your name after marriage usually needs no court petition — your certified marriage certificate is the legal name-change document. There is no court filing fee. You update Social Security first (free), then the DMV, then your passport.
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What it costs
No court petition needed to take a spouse's name after marriage
Circuit Court in the county (or Baltimore City) where you live, work, or were born
Step by step
- 1
Order a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the Maryland county (or Baltimore City) that issued your marriage license — Maryland marriage records are held by the Circuit Court clerk, and this certified copy is your legal proof of the new name.
- 2
Update Social Security first with Form SS-5 (free); the new card takes about 7–14 business days, and the MVA asks you to do this at least 72 hours before your visit.
- 3
Bring the original or certified marriage certificate (embossed seal, signed by a clerk of court) to a Maryland MVA branch to update your driver's license or ID in person.
- 4
Update your US passport (Form DS-5504 is free if issued within the last year), then banks, employer, and USPS.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Taking a spouse's surname on marriage needs no court order; the certified marriage certificate itself is the proof agencies require.
- • If you were married in Maryland, you can request a new marriage record reflecting your new name by filing Form CC-FM-072 in the Circuit Court of the county that issued the record.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the certificate, update Social Security first, then your Maryland license, then your passport and accounts.
Marriage name change in nearby states
Name Change After Marriage in Maryland: FAQ
Do I need a court order to change my name after marriage in Maryland?
How much does it cost to change my name after marriage in Maryland?
Can I hyphenate or combine last names in Maryland?
What's the first thing to update after marriage in Maryland?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/namechange
- mva.maryland.gov/licenses-ids/update-name-address-or-other-license-info
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.