How to Change Your Name in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Changing your name in Philadelphia County (county seat: Philadelphia) means working through several offices in a specific order. This page lays out the exact steps, offices, and fees for Philadelphia County after marriage, divorce, or a court order.
The short answer
After a marriage: order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Philadelphia County Clerk — MAIL: $15 search + $25 certified copy = $40 (check/money order to 'Clerk of the Orphans' Court'), 7–10 business days. IN-PERSON same-day: $95 (money order/cashier's check to 'City of Philadelphia'). 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia County Clerk. For divorce or a court order, you'll get certified copies from the Philadelphia County Prothonotary (Court of Common Pleas) (below).
Philadelphia County Clerk
Phone: (215) 686-2234 (Marriage Records Dept., Clerk of the Orphans' Court)
Certified copy fee: MAIL: $15 search + $25 certified copy = $40 (check/money order to 'Clerk of the Orphans' Court'), 7–10 business days. IN-PERSON same-day: $95 (money order/cashier's check to 'City of Philadelphia').
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 (Philadelphia County) | MAIL: $15 search + $25 certified copy = $40 (check/money order to 'Clerk of the Orphans' Court'), 7–10 business days. IN-PERSON same-day: $95 (money order/cashier's check to 'City of Philadelphia'). |
| 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). PHILADELPHIA-SPECIFIC TRAP: in-person same-day certified copy is $95 (payable to 'City of Philadelphia'), but a MAILED request is only $40 total ($15 search + $25 copy, payable to 'Clerk of the Orphans' Court') — advise mail unless the customer needs it same-day. Office: City Hall Room 415, open only 8:00 AM–2:30 PM.
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- How do I change my name after marriage in Philadelphia County, PA?
- Order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia County?
- The Philadelphia County Clerk charges MAIL: $15 search + $25 certified copy = $40 (check/money order to 'Clerk of the Orphans' Court'), 7–10 business days. IN-PERSON same-day: $95 (money order/cashier's check to 'City of Philadelphia'). for certified copies. Order at least three so each agency can keep one.
- Where is the Philadelphia County Clerk's office?
- Phone: (215) 686-2234 (Marriage Records Dept., Clerk of the Orphans' Court). Confirm current hours before visiting.
- Do I need to go to court to change my name in Philadelphia 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: Philadelphia County Clerk · Social Security Administration · how we verify this