How do I change my name after marriage in Delaware County, PA?

Order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Delaware County Clerk, then update your Social Security record, your PennDOT driver's license, and your passport — in that order.

Where is the Delaware County Clerk's office?

Phone: (484) 633-9807 (Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court — Marriage Dept.). Confirm current hours before visiting.

Do I need to go to court to change my name in Delaware 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 Prothonotary (Court of Common Pleas) and attending a hearing.

Home › Pennsylvania › Delaware County

How to Change Your Name in Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Changing your name in Delaware County (county seat: Media) means working through several offices in a specific order. This page lays out the exact steps, offices, and fees for Delaware 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 Delaware County Clerk. For divorce or a court order, you'll get certified copies from the Delaware County Prothonotary (Court of Common Pleas) (below).

Delaware County Clerk

Phone: (484) 633-9807 (Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court — Marriage Dept.)

Certified copy fee: $25 certified copy; $6 plain copy; $30 exemplified. A $25 search fee applies if the exact marriage date is not provided.

www.delcopa.gov/row/marriage-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 Delaware County (e.g., Chester, Upper Darby area) — confirm nearest and book an appointment at ssa.gov/locator.

Step 3 — Update your PennDOT license

Once your Social Security record is updated, visit the PennDOT to reissue your driver's license or state ID with your new name.

PennDOT office

PennDOT Driver License Center — name change IN PERSON only (not online/by mail). Update SSA FIRST, then bring completed Form DL-80 + the original/certified marriage certificate. $27.50 for a new-photo corrected license, or FREE no-photo 'update card' carried with the existing license.

Driver's license / ID fee: $27.50 corrected license with new photo; $0 for a no-photo 'update 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 Philadelphia Passport Agency (US Custom House, 200 Chestnut St) for urgent travel by appointment only; routine applications/renewals via USPS, participating public libraries, and county Register of Wills/Clerk of Courts passport acceptance facilities (see iafdb.travel.state.gov)..

Fees at a glance

Item	Cost
Certified copies (Delaware County)	$25 certified copy; $6 plain copy; $30 exemplified. A $25 search fee applies if the exact marriage date is not provided.
Social Security card update	Free
Driver's license reissue	$27.50 corrected license with new photo; $0 for a no-photo 'update card'
U.S. passport update	$0–$130 (depends on timing)

Local note: Pennsylvania 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 Register of Wills / Clerk of the Orphans' Court (the office that issued the marriage license); (2) SSA card update in person by appointment, free (appointments required since Jan 2025) — must be done BEFORE PennDOT; (3) PennDOT — change name on driver's license/ID IN PERSON at a Driver License Center using Form DL-80, presenting the certified marriage certificate ($27.50 if you want a new photo license; FREE if you accept a no-photo 'update card' carried with your existing license); (4) U.S. passport; (5) voter registration (vote.pa.gov) & vehicle registration (PennDOT). DELAWARE-SPECIFIC: marriage records come from the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court (NOT the Office of Judicial Support, which handles divorce). Online ordering available. Provide the exact marriage date to avoid a $25 search fee. Certified copy $25.

Skip the guesswork — get your Delaware County guide

Your personalized, step-by-step guide for Delaware County — every office, fee, and form, with clickable links and a fillable progress tracker. Delivered to your inbox.

Get my Delaware County guide → $24.99

Frequently asked questions

How do I change my name after marriage in Delaware County, PA?: Order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Delaware County Clerk, then update your Social Security record, your PennDOT driver's license, and your passport — in that order.
How much does a certified copy cost in Delaware County?: The Delaware County Clerk charges $25 certified copy; $6 plain copy; $30 exemplified. A $25 search fee applies if the exact marriage date is not provided. for certified copies. Order at least three so each agency can keep one.
Where is the Delaware County Clerk's office?: Phone: (484) 633-9807 (Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court — Marriage Dept.). Confirm current hours before visiting.
Do I need to go to court to change my name in Delaware 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 Prothonotary (Court of Common Pleas) and attending a hearing.