Everything You Need to Know to Get Your Name Changed in Oklahoma

Okay, Sooner Staters: Here's what you have to do to make your married moniker official.

Hibben Photography

Updated Dec 19, 2023

Changing your name after you get hitched? Making the moniker transition takes a few more steps than perfecting your new signature. In fact, there's an entire legal process involved, and it's slightly different from state to state and depending on each person's unique situation. Changing your name in Oklahoma, for example, requires working with your county clerk's office and the Department of Public Safety to make things official. Plus, you'll have to contact the Social Security Administration and possibly even the US Department of State.

The good news is, a name change service can help make the whole process way simpler, with less research to do and fewer forms to complete. If you work with our personal favorite, HitchSwitch, you'll answer just one simple questionnaire! (It takes less than three minutes to complete.) From there, the team of pros will use the info you provide to locate the paperwork you'll need, autofill it for you and send you everything ready to deliver to the appropriate offices. (And yep, the instructions provided to do so are impressively clear.)

Whether you decide to utilize the service (which we highly recommend if you're already worn out from wedding stress) or DIY your surname switch, we're breaking down exactly what's involved in the process. Here's how to change your name in Oklahoma after marriage.

In this article:

How to Apply for an Oklahoma Marriage License
How to Petition for a Name Change in Oklahoma
How to Get a Social Security Card Name Change in Oklahoma
How to Get a Driver's License Name Change in Oklahoma
How to Get a Passport Name Change in Oklahoma
How to Complete a Name Change in Oklahoma

How to Apply for an Oklahoma Marriage License

The first step in your name change journey happens before you even get married: applying for an Oklahoma marriage license. That's because a marriage-related name change requires, well, proof of marriage. You'll need your license to legally wed and receive a marriage certificate, which will likely serve as your legal name change document postnuptials.

You and your future spouse should visit your local county clerk to apply to wed. Before you go, brush up on how to get a marriage license in Oklahoma by contacting the office. The instructions and requirements may vary slightly from county to county, so it's best to play it safe and avoid a headache when you get there. And if you're getting married out of state, you'll actually apply there instead.

What documents do you need?

Typically, along with a filled-out marriage license application, you'll need to bring along proof of age and identity. This could be your driver's license, birth certificate (with a raised seal) or current passport.

How much does it cost?

How much is a marriage license in Oklahoma? The cost may vary slightly from location to location, but many Oklahoma county clerks charge around $50. Heads up: You might qualify for a discount (and pay as little as $5!) if you can prove you've received premarital counseling. Check with your clerk's office to find out, as well as what's required to get the discount.

Important things to remember:

Your marriage license is what you get prior to the wedding—it's basically permission to tie the knot. Your marriage certificate is what you receive after the wedding to signify that you are, in fact, married. How you fill out your marriage license determines the way the certificate is worded, which in turn determines whether or not you can use it to change your name. (If you can't use it, you'll have to use a court order as your legal name change document instead—more on that in the next section.)

Check with your county clerk to see if your marriage license application will facilitate your desired name change. If you're taking your spouse's last name (exactly as it appears on the marriage license), you should be in the clear. If you're already married and you're not sure if you can use your certificate for your intended name change, don't panic—this is where HitchSwitch really comes in handy! You can send the team a photo of the document and they'll advise you accordingly.

How to Petition for a Name Change in Oklahoma

Some people aren't able to go the typical route and instead have to petition for a name change. This might be necessary if you want to create a new last name from scratch for you and your partner to share (yep, that's an option!), or if you're trying to legally change your first name. If a judge approves your petition, you'll receive a court order that'll serve as the legal document needed to get your name changed elsewhere.

Contact your district court for specific instructions on how to file your petition there. The legal name change Oklahoma form will look something like this.

The Social Security card name change process is actually the same in Oklahoma as it is across the rest of the country. This is a crucial next step, since your official identity is directly tied to the Social Security Administration's records. And trust us, you don't want to mess up your taxes or future retirement benefits.

What documents do you need?

Fill out and print Form SS-5. You should be able to mail it to your local Social Security office (as opposed to bringing it in person), but check out the SSA's instructions for getting a corrected card to know for sure. No matter what, include the following with your submission:

Your legal name change document (your marriage certificate or court order)
Proof of identity (your current state ID or passport, for example)
Proof of citizenship (your birth certificate or passport) ... but only if you haven't established this with the SSA already

How much does it cost?

The Oklahoma name change cost may add up fast, but this national step is absolutely free—score!

Important things to remember:

Use the Social Security Administration office locator to find your nearest location. Now's also a good time to note that most government agencies (including the SSA) require original or certified versions of all necessary documentation. We recommend picking up certified copies of your marriage certificate or court order (for a small fee) so you don't have to part with your OG copies.

How to Get a Driver's License Name Change in Oklahoma

Oklahoma residents are required to notify the Department of Public Safety of their name change within 10 days of the switch, so get a move on, Oklahoman! (The same goes for a new address, newlywed nester.)

What documents do you need?

To change your name on your driver's license or state ID, visit your local DPS office. You'll need:

Your existing state ID
Your state-issued birth certificate
Your legal name change document

You should also have your Social Security number handy. Find more information on the Oklahoma DPS website.

How much does it cost?

It costs $25 for a duplicate ID in Oklahoma.

Important things to remember:

For extra convenience, you can schedule your appointment with the DPS online if you're changing your name.

How to Get a Passport Name Change in Oklahoma

You might also want to get a start on updating your US passport (or getting a brand new one with your new last name), since that can take eight to eleven weeks. Even if you aren't traveling internationally any time soon, it never hurts to have another government document with your married moniker on it as proof of your identity change. Get complete instructions for changing your name on your passport at the US Department of State website—we've summarized them below.

What documents do you need?

It'll depend on the state of your current passport.

Form DS-5504: This is the form you'll use if you changed your name recently (within a year of receiving your current passport). You'll need to mail in:

The completed form
Your current passport
A certified name change document
A color passport photo

Form DS-82: Use this form if your current passport was issued within the last 15 years, you were at least 16 years old at the time and it's in good condition. Mail in:

The completed form
Your current passport
A certified name change document
A color passport photo

Form DS-11: The passport application form is necessary if you don't fall into either of the above categories. This one requires an in-person visit to the appropriate office. Bring these things with:

Proof of identity (like your driver's license), plus a photocopy
Proof of citizenship (like your birth certificate), plus a photocopy
A certified name change document
A color passport photo

How much does it cost?

Passport correction: $0—lucky you!

Passport renewal: $130 for a passport book and/or $30 for a card, which allows for more limited travel.

Brand new passport: $130 for a passport book, $30 for a card and $35 in additional fees.

Important things to remember:

If you're taking a trip sometime soon, you might be in a hurry to get the updated passport. Luckily, for an extra charge, you can expedite your service. But hold up if you booked your travel with your prior moniker. The name on your tickets must match the name on your passport, so if you planned your honeymoon using your original name, save this step until after you return.

How to Complete a Name Change in Oklahoma

Once you're finished with all of the above, you'll have completed a big chunk of changing your name in Oklahoma. There are other things you'll have to update too though, including your employer's records, insurance policies, bank accounts, credit card accounts, property documents and more. It's also important to change your name on your voter registration in Oklahoma.

Feeling overwhelmed? HitchSwitch can help you make sure you've checked all the name change boxes. The service will provide you with personalized checklists for every step of the process (seriously!), so once you're done, you'll rest easy knowing you've tackled this hefty task thoroughly.

This article has been fact-checked and reviewed for accuracy in November 2023.