How to Change Your Name in Cook County, Illinois
Changing your name in Cook County (county seat: Chicago) means working through several offices in a specific order. This page lays out the exact steps, offices, and fees for Cook County after marriage, divorce, or a court order.
The short answer
After a marriage: order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Cook County Clerk — $15 first certified copy + $4 each additional copy of the same record (VitalChek online adds a processing fee) each. Then update Social Security, then your Illinois Secretary of State license, then your passport, in that order. No court filing is required.
After a divorce or a court order: your certified copies come from the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk instead. The rest of the sequence is identical.
Order matters. Social Security has to be updated before the Illinois Secretary of State — the license office checks your SSA record, and if it still shows your old name they will turn you away.
Step 1 — Get your certified copies
Every agency needs to see an original certified document. For a marriage name change, order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Cook County Clerk. For divorce or a court order, you'll get certified copies from the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk (below).
Cook County Clerk
Phone: (312) 603-0996 (Cook County Clerk, Vital Records)
Certified copy fee: $15 first certified copy + $4 each additional copy of the same record (VitalChek online adds a processing fee)
www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/vital-records/marriage-civil-union/marriage-certificates
Step 2 — Update Social Security
Update your Social Security record first — it must come before your driver's license. It's free, but bring your certified document and a current photo ID.
Local Social Security office
Step 3 — Update your Illinois Secretary of State license
Once your Social Security record is updated, visit the Illinois Secretary of State to reissue your driver's license or state ID with your new name.
Illinois Secretary of State office
Driver's license / ID fee: $5.00 corrected driver's license; $10.00 corrected state ID card
Step 4 — Update your passport
Submit the correct passport form with a certified copy of your name-change document. Passport services are available in Chicago Passport Agency (230 S. Dearborn St, Kluczynski Federal Bldg, 18th floor) for urgent travel by appointment only; routine applications/renewals via USPS, public library, and county clerk passport acceptance facilities (see iafdb.travel.state.gov)..
Fees at a glance
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copies (Cook County) | $15 first certified copy + $4 each additional copy of the same record (VitalChek online adds a processing fee) |
| Social Security card update | Free |
| Driver's license reissue | $5.00 corrected driver's license; $10.00 corrected state ID card |
| U.S. passport update | $0–$130 (depends on timing) |
Local note: Illinois marriage name change: NO court filing — the certified marriage certificate IS the legal name-change document. Order of operations: (1) certified marriage certificate from the COUNTY CLERK that issued the license; (2) SSA card update in person by appointment, free (appointments required since Jan 2025) — must be done BEFORE the DMV; (3) Illinois SOS Driver Services in person to apply for a corrected license/ID within 30 days ($5 license / $10 ID); (4) U.S. passport; (5) voter & vehicle registration. COOK-SPECIFIC: same-day certified copies only at the downtown office (118 N. Clark St., Rm 120); suburban courthouse branches offer vital-records service but not same-day. Confirm the current fee ($15/$4) before quoting a customer.
You have the addresses. Here is what still goes wrong.
This page has to work for everyone — marriage, divorce and court order alike. Your guide is built for one of them. The exact forms for your reason, what to bring to each counter so you are not sent home to come back, the order that avoids a second trip, and a tracker you fill in as you go.
Built for Cook County · Emailed in minutes · Find anything wrong in it and I will fix it and refund you the same day.
Get my Cook County guide → $24.99Frequently asked questions
- How do I change my name after marriage in Cook County, IL?
- Order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Cook County Clerk, then update your Social Security record, your Illinois Secretary of State driver's license, and your passport — in that order.
- How much does a certified copy cost in Cook County?
- The Cook County Clerk charges $15 first certified copy + $4 each additional copy of the same record (VitalChek online adds a processing fee) for certified copies. Order at least three so each agency can keep one.
- Where is the Cook County Clerk's office?
- Phone: (312) 603-0996 (Cook County Clerk, Vital Records). Confirm current hours before visiting.
- Do I need to go to court to change my name in Cook County?
- No for a marriage or divorce name change — your certificate or decree is your legal document. A court-order name change requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court Clerk and attending a hearing.
Sources: Cook County Clerk · Social Security Administration · how we verify this