How to Change Your Name in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Changing your name in Montgomery County (county seat: Norristown) means working through several offices in a specific order. This page lays out the exact steps, offices, and fees for Montgomery County after marriage, divorce, or a court order.
The short answer
After a marriage: order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Montgomery County Clerk — $25 certified copy; a $15 search fee may also apply if the exact marriage date is not provided each. Then update Social Security, then your PennDOT 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 Montgomery County Prothonotary (Court of Common Pleas) instead. The rest of the sequence is identical.
Order matters. Social Security has to be updated before the PennDOT — 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 Montgomery County Clerk. For divorce or a court order, you'll get certified copies from the Montgomery County Prothonotary (Court of Common Pleas) (below).
Montgomery County Clerk
Phone: (610) 278-3400 (Register of Wills / Clerk of the Orphans' Court)
Certified copy fee: $25 certified copy; a $15 search fee may also apply if the exact marriage date is not provided
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 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
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 (Montgomery County) | $25 certified copy; a $15 search fee may also apply 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). MONTGOMERY-SPECIFIC: certified copy $25, and a separate $15 search fee applies if you can't supply the exact marriage date — provide the exact date to avoid it. Office hours are 8:30 AM–4:15 PM.
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Get my Montgomery County guide → $24.99Frequently asked questions
- How do I change my name after marriage in Montgomery County, PA?
- Order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Montgomery 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 Montgomery County?
- The Montgomery County Clerk charges $25 certified copy; a $15 search fee may also apply if the exact marriage date is not provided for certified copies. Order at least three so each agency can keep one.
- Where is the Montgomery County Clerk's office?
- Phone: (610) 278-3400 (Register of Wills / Clerk of the Orphans' Court). Confirm current hours before visiting.
- Do I need to go to court to change my name in Montgomery 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.
Sources: Montgomery County Clerk · Social Security Administration · how we verify this