How do I change my name after marriage in St. Clair County, IL?

Order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the St. Clair 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 St. Clair County?

The St. Clair County Clerk charges $15 first certified copy + $8 each additional copy of the same record for certified copies. Order at least three so each agency can keep one.

Where is the St. Clair County Clerk's office?

Phone: (618) 277-6600 ext. 2378 (St. Clair County Clerk, Vital Records). Confirm current hours before visiting.

Do I need to go to court to change my name in St. Clair 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.

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How to Change Your Name in St. Clair County, Illinois

Changing your name in St. Clair County (county seat: Belleville) means working through several offices in a specific order. This page lays out the exact steps, offices, and fees for St. Clair County after marriage, divorce, or a court order.

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 St. Clair County Clerk. For divorce or a court order, you'll get certified copies from the St. Clair County Circuit Court Clerk (below).

St. Clair County Clerk

Phone: (618) 277-6600 ext. 2378 (St. Clair County Clerk, Vital Records)

Certified copy fee: $15 first certified copy + $8 each additional copy of the same record

www.co.st-clair.il.us/departments/county-clerk/vital-records

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

SSA field offices serving St. Clair County (e.g., Belleville, East St. Louis area) — confirm nearest and book appointment at ssa.gov/locator.

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

Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) Driver Services facility — name change in person only (cannot be done online/by mail). Must update SSA FIRST, then apply for a corrected license/ID within 30 days; bring current IL license/ID + original or certified marriage certificate (updated SS card helpful).

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 for urgent travel by appointment only; routine applications/renewals via USPS, public library, and county clerk passport acceptance facilities (see iafdb.travel.state.gov). Downstate applicants typically use a local USPS acceptance facility..

Fees at a glance

Item	Cost
Certified copies (St. Clair County)	$15 first certified copy + $8 each additional copy of the same record
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. ST. CLAIR-SPECIFIC: County Clerk does not take credit cards or online orders directly — use VitalChek for card/online. Certified copies issued by the County Clerk in Belleville.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I change my name after marriage in St. Clair County, IL?: Order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the St. Clair 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 St. Clair County?: The St. Clair County Clerk charges $15 first certified copy + $8 each additional copy of the same record for certified copies. Order at least three so each agency can keep one.
Where is the St. Clair County Clerk's office?: Phone: (618) 277-6600 ext. 2378 (St. Clair County Clerk, Vital Records). Confirm current hours before visiting.
Do I need to go to court to change my name in St. Clair 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.