Social security form to change last name after marriage

A name change is not required by law, but a person may decide to take their spouse's last name when they get married.

State law does not contain step-by-step instructions when changing your last name after marriage. There is no single legal form to fill out. Instead, a person must contact government agencies to let them know of the new legal name. The agency will have rules on how to update your documents with your new name. You will likely be required to submit a certified copy of your marriage license, which you can obtain through the county clerk's office. In addition to government agencies, you may also need to notify your employer, bank or credit union, utility companies, doctor's office, insurance company, etc. of your new legal name. Each person's situation will vary.

The right to change your last name after marriage is based on case law rather than statute. Attorney General opinion JH-0432 from 1974 explains the legal history of this common law right. MW-0225 from 1980 provides a legal opinion on the use of a hyphenated last name. A person can also choose to change their name through the courts. See our Name Changes guide for details.

The links below provide instructions for updating a driver's license or ID, social security card, passport, and voter registration card.

U.S. Passport

Changing your name in your passport

If you have changed your name by marriage or divorce, you may apply for a new passport to be issued in your new name, using form DS-82 or DS-5504.  If you have changed your name any other way, you must apply using form DS-11, Click here for instructions.

• If your current passport was issued less than one year ago and you consequently got married/divorced, you may apply for a passport in your new name by using  Form DS-5504. There will be no charge for routine processing such an application. Please follow the instructions below on how to proceed.
• If your current passport was issued more than one year ago and you consequently got married/divorced you may apply for a passport in your new name using form DS-82.  Go to our section on adult passports for application instructions.  You will be required to the pay regular passport fee.

1. Fill out FORM DS-5504

Complete FORM DS-5504 online, and print it out single-sided. Back to back printed forms cannot be processed. Do not print the instructions as you are to use this website instead.  At ‘Mailing Address’ list your Dutch address, even if it is only temporary.  You cannot currently list a “Country” when completing the “Emergency Contact” section on our forms. Please list an emergency contact in the United States.  You may sign the form at home.  Applications filled out by hand may require longer to process.

3. Proof of U.S. citizenship

Provide your most recently issued full validity (10-year) U.S. passport, with a photo copy of the biographical information page.

5. Evidence of name change through marriage or divorce

You will need to submit your original marriage or divorce certificate.  Documents presented must be in English or be accompanied by a sworn translation into English. If married and divorced in the Netherlands, please submit the original international version made out in several languages, including English, of the marriage certificate (uitreksel uit de huwelijksakte, dienst van de burgerlijke stand). If your divorce decree does not state your maiden name, and you wish to have that name in your passport again, please also your birth certificate.

6. Provide photocopies

Aside from the original(s) provide a plain photocopy of your passport’s biographical information page and any supporting documents as applicable to your application.  Copies of the forms are not required.

9. New passport will be delivered by mail

Provide a prepaid return envelope

• Size: 23 x 16 centimeters or 9×6 inches – no bigger envelopes, no padded envelopes, no big DHL envelopes, please.
• On this envelope attach your DHL label*, or
• write the passport applicant’s name and address, and stick 5 x regular ‘1’ PostNL stamps in the top right corner.

We cannot send passports to addresses outside of the Netherlands.
*We recommend using the trackable “waybill” from DHL express, or DHL parcel label.  These you must order online at: https://my.dhlexpress.nl/pwa/shipment/package/.
When prompted, please select “Mailbox Parcel”, and enter your personal information as the recipient. Check the option “E-mail Notification”.
When asked about the sender, enter your own name and the following mailing address: John Adams Park 1, 2244 BZ Wassenaar. Use your own e-mail address as sender and receiver so you receive all correspondence regarding your shipment.  The cost of the trackable service begins at €3.95.  Print your DHL label and glue or tape it on your return envelope.

When using regular stamps note this way the shipment is not trackable. Mailing is at your own risk.

All valid passports will be canceled during your appointment as you cannot have two valid passports.  Plan your appointment accordingly as you may be without a valid passport for up to three weeks.

If you are also applying for a passport card, bring two prepaid return envelopes as cards arrive two to three weeks after passport books.

Your canceled old passport and all original documents provided, will be returned to you with your new passport.

Processing time

Passports are printed in the United States with a secure photo-digitized image of the bearer.  From receipt of your application by the Consulate General in Amsterdam, you should allow for up to 4 to 6 weeks for your application to be processed.