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How to Change Your Name in Virginia
Every Virginia county handles name changes a little differently — different clerk offices, fees, and processing times. Below are detailed, county-specific guides plus the steps that apply statewide.
Pick your Virginia county
Every Virginia county is covered. Pick yours for the offices, fees and forms that apply where you live.
Accomack County
Albemarle County
Alexandria city
Alleghany County
Amelia County
Amherst County
Appomattox County
Arlington County
Augusta County
Bath County
Bedford County
Bedford city
Bland County
Botetourt County
Bristol city
Brunswick County
Buchanan County
Buckingham County
Buena Vista city
Campbell County
Caroline County
Carroll County
Charles City County
Charlotte County
Charlottesville city
Chesapeake city
Chesterfield County
Clarke County
Colonial Heights city
Covington city
Craig County
Culpeper County
Cumberland County
Danville city
Dickenson County
Dinwiddie County
Emporia city
Essex County
Fairfax County
Fairfax city
Falls Church city
Fauquier County
Floyd County
Fluvanna County
Franklin County
Franklin city
Frederick County
Fredericksburg city
Galax city
Giles County
Gloucester County
Goochland County
Grayson County
Greene County
Greensville County
Halifax County
Hampton city
Hanover County
Harrisonburg city
Henrico County
Henry County
Highland County
Hopewell city
Isle of Wight County
James City County
King George County
King William County
King and Queen County
Lancaster County
Lee County
Lexington city
Loudoun County
Louisa County
Lunenburg County
Lynchburg city
Madison County
Manassas city
Manassas Park city
Martinsville city
Mathews County
Mecklenburg County
Middlesex County
Montgomery County
Nelson County
New Kent County
Newport News city
Norfolk city
Northampton County
Northumberland County
Norton city
Nottoway County
Orange County
Page County
Patrick County
Petersburg city
Pittsylvania County
Poquoson city
Portsmouth city
Powhatan County
Prince Edward County
Prince George County
Prince William County
Pulaski County
Radford city
Rappahannock County
Richmond County
Richmond city
Roanoke County
Roanoke city
Rockbridge County
Rockingham County
Russell County
Salem city
Scott County
Shenandoah County
Smyth County
Southampton County
Spotsylvania County
Stafford County
Staunton city
Suffolk city
Surry County
Sussex County
Tazewell County
Virginia Beach city
Warren County
Washington County
Waynesboro city
Westmoreland County
Williamsburg city
Winchester city
Wise County
Wythe County
York County
The Virginia name-change steps
1. Certified copies. Get them from your county clerk (marriage) or the Circuit Court Clerk (divorce or court order).
2. Social Security. Update your SSA record first — it's free.
3. Virginia DMV. Reissue your license with your new name.
4. Passport. Submit the correct form with a certified copy.
Get your exact Virginia county guide
Personalized to your county and reason — offices, fees, forms, clickable links, and a fillable tracker, emailed straight to you.
Get my guide → $24.99Frequently asked questions
- How do I change my name in Virginia?
- Get certified copies of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, then update Social Security, your Virginia driver's license, and your passport in that order. Exact offices and fees vary by county — pick your county below.
- How long does a name change take in Virginia?
- A marriage or divorce name change usually takes a few weeks once you have certified copies. A court-order name change takes longer because of the petition and hearing.