Name Change After Marriage in Connecticut: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Connecticut Probate Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
In Connecticut, 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
Probate Court for the district where you live (Superior Court is a statutory alternative under C.G.S. § 52-11)
Step by step
- 1
Order a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the Connecticut DPH State Vital Records Office (or the town where the marriage occurred) — 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 7–10 business days.
- 3
Take the certified marriage certificate and your updated Social Security record to a Connecticut DMV office with Form E-78 to update your driver's license or ID ($30).
- 4
Update your US passport (Form DS-5504 is free if issued within the last year), then banks, employer, USPS, and update voter registration through the Secretary of the State.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Update Social Security before the DMV — Connecticut DMV verifies your SSN, which can take up to 48 hours to sync.
- • The Connecticut DMV name change uses Form E-78 and costs $30, by appointment.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the certificate, update Social Security first, then your Connecticut license, then your passport and accounts.
Marriage name change in nearby states
Name Change After Marriage in Connecticut: FAQ
Do I need a court order to change my name after marriage in Connecticut?
How much does it cost to change my name after marriage in Connecticut?
Can I hyphenate or combine last names in Connecticut?
What's the first thing to update after marriage in Connecticut?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records/marriage-and-civil-union-certificates
- jud.ct.gov
- portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/change-driver-license
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.