Voter Registration Name Change Guide for Newlyweds

Congratulations on recently getting married! While we'd bet that all the excitement hasn't faded quite yet, it's time to square away newlywed tasks like changing your last name (if you've chosen to do so). Be sure to add a voter registration name change to your to-do list along with updating your passport and other documents to reflect your new moniker.

"If you've legally changed your last name, you do need to re-register to vote," says attorney Mitchel Ashley of The Ashley Law Firm. "You don't need to show ID to vote, but you do need to sign your name. If you now have a new last name, you have to register to vote under that name."

To help you navigate this process (which isn't too hard—we promise!), we've put together a comprehensive guide on how to change your name and address (if needed) on your voter registration. As the next presidential election is on November 5, 2024, voter registration deadlines by state are quickly approaching in September or October—so you and your partner will need to update your voter registration with any changes ASAP. From how to check your current voter registration status to the deadline to get all this taken care of, learn it all below.

In this article:

• How to Change The Name on Your Voter Registration
• When Is the Voter Registration Deadline?
• How to Check Your Voter Registration
• Do You Have to Register Your Name Change to Vote?
• How to Change Your Address on Voter Registration
• Do I Have to Change My Voter Registration If My Name Hasn't Changed?

How to Change the Name on Your Voter Registration

The requirements for a voter registration name change differ from state to state. You can find out your state's specific requirements on websites such as Vote.gov, Vote.org and Headcount.org, which all offer information on how to change the name on your voter registration.

Generally speaking, though, there are four primary ways you can change the name on your voter's registration:

• Online: This option is available in most states in addition to the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. Go to Vote.gov and identify which state you live in. From there, the site will direct you to your state's election website so you can complete your online voter registration. You'll need your driver's license and the last four digits of your social security number to confirm your identity.
• Mail: Head to Vote.gov or your state's election website to download the form and fill it out. Mail the registration form to the correct office ASAP (give yourself extra time in case of delays).
• Phone: Locate your election office by heading to Usa.gov/election-office. Once you identify the correct location, call the number and confirm your voter registration name change details over the phone.
• In-Person: Changing your voter registration in person is another option. Simply identify your local election office and call to see if/when they're open or offering in-person services. If they currently don't offer in-person registration, you'll have to change your name information over the phone, by mail or online.

When is the Voter Registration Deadline?

The next presidential election is on November 5, 2024, and voter registration deadlines are quickly approaching. Check your voter's registration status and get registered ASAP (or help your partner do so). As with requirements for changing your name, Ashley notes that voter registration deadlines vary from state to state. We encourage couples to refer directly to the guide on Vote.org, which lists the deadlines for in-person, mail-in and online registration.

If you're planning on mailing your registration information, factor in extra time for delays. There are also unique deadlines associated with presidential primaries and local elections.

How to Check Your Voter Registration

There's an easy way to double-check that your newly updated voter registration name change went through smoothly: Head to Vote.org, which provides an efficient online form that confirms your current registration status. Simply fill out the required information and check to see what it says. If you're registered correctly, you're good to go.

Do You Have to Register Your Name Change to Vote?

You can vote only with your current legal name. If you've yet to legally change your last name when the elections roll around and you are registered to vote with your original last name, then you should use your original last name to vote.

If you've legally changed your last name but haven't formally indicated that on your voter registration before the registration deadline, then your vote will not be counted.

Can I Vote With My Maiden Name?

If you or your partner have legally changed your last names—including hyphenated names—then you cannot vote with your maiden name. As Ashley explains, this is because your voter registration information won't match public records, thus making your current registration invalid.

Follow the voter registration name change steps outlined above and you're golden. If you never legally changed your last name, then you can vote with your maiden or original last name.

How to Change Your Address on Voter Registration

A marriage and a new house? Look at you thriving! If you and your partner have moved to a new home since exchanging vows, you'll need to change the address on your voter registration accordingly. The process is the same for changing your name: Change your address on your voter registration online (if your state allows it), by mail, over the phone or in person.

Give yourself enough time to change your voter registration address before your state's deadline. Be sure to research the candidates on your ballot and vote on (or by) November 5, 2024. Mark the occasion by planning a special date night after you vote so you can celebrate your civic contribution!

Do I Have to Change My Voter Registration If My Name Hasn't Changed?

You do not need to complete a voter registration name change until you legally change your last name. If you're currently navigating that process, we have step-by-step guides for every state, including Texas, New York, Illinois, California and Wyoming.

To streamline the process even more so, using a name change service like HitchSwitch also makes the process extremely easy for newlyweds everywhere. "Clients no longer have to endlessly search Google only to have to read through multiple pages of single-spaced government instructions," says Jake Wolff, founder of HitchSwitch. "HitchSwitch helps newlyweds by taking all of the complexities out of the name change process."

All that said, know that you don't have to change your name after getting married. In fact, many don't! In that case, you don't need to worry about all the legal hoops and complete a voter registration name change.