The short version
- US: update the Social Security Administration first, then your driver's license, passport and accounts. A replacement Social Security card is free.
- Canada: apply for a new passport with your marriage certificate, and update your SIN record online (about 5 business days).
- UK: you can get a passport in your new name up to 3 months before the wedding, ready for the honeymoon.
- Book honeymoon travel in the name on the passport you'll travel with.
Changing your name after marriage is mostly paperwork, done in the right order. Here's how to change your name after marriage in the US, Canada and the UK, using the official government guidance, plus the timing mistakes to avoid before the honeymoon.
United States
- Order certified copies of your marriage certificate.
- Update your name with the Social Security Administration first. Other agencies learn of name changes through it, and a replacement card is free.
- Then update your driver's license, passport, voter registration and bank accounts.
The IRS says the name on your tax return must match Social Security records, so update SSA before you file.
Getting married also opens a 60-day window to join or change a Marketplace health plan on HealthCare.gov.
Canada
To change the last name on your passport, apply for a new passport and include your marriage certificate. Your supporting ID needs to show your new name, so update that first.
You're required to update your Social Insurance Number record when you change your legal name. Online takes about 5 business days; by mail, about 20.
United Kingdom
You can apply for a passport in your married name up to 3 months before the ceremony. It's post-dated, so you can't use it before the wedding, and your old passport is cancelled. You'll need a form signed by your minister or registrar.
Married couples in the UK may also be able to claim the Marriage Allowance, which can cut tax by up to £252 a year.
Frequently asked questions
What should I update first after changing my name in the US?
Start with the Social Security Administration, since other agencies learn of name changes through it. A replacement Social Security card is free. Then update your driver's license, passport and accounts.
Do I need to update my SIN after marriage in Canada?
If you change your legal name, you're required to update your Social Insurance Number record with Service Canada. Online updates take about 5 business days.
Can I get a passport in my married name before the wedding?
In the UK, yes: you can apply up to 3 months before the ceremony for a post-dated passport in your new name. Always book travel in the name on the passport you'll use.
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