Once the ceremony is over, there are a few pieces of paperwork left to close the loop — some of them time-sensitive. Here’s what actually needs to happen, and roughly when.
1. Make sure your license gets filed
Your officiant is generally responsible for signing your marriage license (along with witnesses, in most states) and returning it to the county that issued it, usually within a state-set deadline after the ceremony. This step is what legally records your marriage — skipping it, or an officiant forgetting to file it, is a real (if uncommon) problem. It’s worth confirming directly with your officiant that it was submitted, especially if it’s been several weeks and you haven’t been able to order a certificate yet.
2. Order a certified marriage certificate
Once your county has recorded the marriage, you can request a certified marriage certificate — the actual proof-of-marriage document you’ll need for the steps below. This is a separate request and separate fee from your original license. See our guide on the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate if that distinction is still unclear. Order more than one certified copy if you know you’ll need to submit originals to multiple institutions (some will accept a copy; many require an original certified copy).
3. Legal name change, if you’re changing your name
A marriage certificate is the document that authorizes a name change tied to marriage — you don’t file anything separately to “request” a name change in most states. The general order of operations:
- Social Security Administration first — update your name on your Social Security card using your certified marriage certificate. This is the foundation; most other agencies and institutions check against Social Security records.
- Driver’s license or state ID next, at your state’s DMV or equivalent agency, generally requiring your updated Social Security record.
- Passport, if you have one or plan to travel, through the U.S. State Department.
- Everything else — bank accounts, credit cards, employer records, insurance, voter registration, leases — typically follow once the above three are updated, since most ask for a government-issued ID that already reflects your new name.
This is a broad, non-exhaustive overview, not a full name-change guide — we may expand this into a dedicated resource in the future. Every state’s exact process and required forms differ slightly, so confirm specifics with each agency directly.
4. Update your tax filing status
Your marital status as of December 31 of a given year determines your tax filing options for that entire year, regardless of when in the year you got married. You’re not required to update anything immediately after the wedding for tax purposes — this is simply something to keep in mind for the following tax season, and worth mentioning to your employer if it affects withholding.
Frequently asked questions
How long after the wedding do we have to file the license?
The deadline is set by state law and typically falls somewhere between a few days and a couple of months after the ceremony — it’s your officiant’s responsibility, but confirming it was done is a reasonable follow-up on your end.
Do both spouses need to change their name, or can one keep their original name?
Neither spouse is required to change their name. It’s entirely optional and a personal decision — many couples keep their names as they are, one spouse changes theirs, or both hyphenate or otherwise modify their names. The certificate simply makes a name change possible if you choose to pursue one.
Is there a deadline to change your name after getting married?
No general deadline exists — you can update your name months or even years after your wedding using your marriage certificate. That said, doing it sooner avoids the hassle of your ID and legal name mismatching in the meantime.