Pillar guide
After-court update checklist
At a glance
The sequence in one paragraph
- Order 5-10 certified copies of the court order from the clerk ($5-$15 each).
- Update SSA first (Form SS-5, free, mail or in person). New card arrives 10-14 business days.
- Update DMV next (in person, $5-$30 typical). Brings: court order, existing license, SSA card. Most states will not issue Real ID without SSA match.
- Update US passport (DS-82 by mail if eligible most-recent passport, otherwise DS-11 in person). 6-8 weeks routine; 2-3 expedited.
- Update employer / banks / professional licenses / utilities / voter registration in parallel after SSA. Voter registration may auto-update via Motor Voter when DMV updates.
After-court update sequence
Complete in order. SSA must precede DMV. Passport requires SSA + DMV match.
- Step 1
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Update name on Social Security record (Form SS-5)
Bring
- Certified copy of court order
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or US passport)
- Proof of US citizenship or lawful immigration status
Timing
Do this FIRST. Most state DMVs and the US passport require an SSA-issued name match before they'll update.
No fee. SSA mails the new card; SSN does not change.
- Step 2
State DMV / driver's license
Update driver's license or state ID name
Bring
- Certified copy of court order
- Existing license/ID
- Proof of SSA name update (sometimes required)
- Real ID supporting documents if Real ID compliant
Timing
After SSA. Most states require SSA to have updated first so the records reconcile.
Fee varies by state ($5-$30 typical). Real-ID-compliant states may require additional evidence.
- Step 3
US Department of State (Passport)
Update US passport (Form DS-82 if recent passport, DS-11 if not)
Bring
- Certified copy of court order
- Existing passport (if updating, not new)
- Passport photo
- Application fee
Timing
After SSA. Passport name MUST match SSA name on file.
DS-82 by mail if eligible; DS-11 in person if first passport in new name. Fee varies $130-$165.
- Step 4
Employer / HR
Update employment records, W-4, payroll, benefits
Bring
- Certified copy of court order
- Updated SSA card (employer must verify SSA name match for W-2)
Timing
After SSA card arrives so W-4 / W-2 names reconcile with the SSA record.
- Step 5
Banks / brokerage / IRA
Update accounts, debit/credit cards, IRA/brokerage
Bring
- Certified copy of court order
- Updated photo ID
Timing
After DMV (most banks want a matching ID).
Brokerage / IRA accounts especially — name mismatches between SSA and brokerage records cause 1099 reconciliation issues at tax time.
- Step 6
Professional licenses / state bars
Update professional license records (medical, legal, real estate, contractor, etc.)
Bring
- Certified copy of court order
- License-specific name-change form (varies by board)
Timing
After SSA + DMV. License boards usually require SSA reconciliation.
Some boards charge a re-issue fee; some publish a name-change notice on the licensee roster.
- Step 7
Utilities / leases / mortgage
Update utility accounts, lease/rental agreement, mortgage
Bring
- Certified copy of court order
- Updated photo ID
Timing
Anytime after court order issued.
Many utilities accept update by phone or web with the court order PDF.
- Step 8
Voter registration
Update voter registration name + address if moved
Bring
- Certified copy of court order or updated DMV ID
- State-specific voter registration form
Timing
After DMV. Many states auto-update voter registration when DMV name updates (Motor Voter).
Federal records guide
For SSA, Real ID, and passport — full procedural detail, forms, fees, gotchas, and primary-source authority links live on the federal-records pillar.
Federal records pillar →