How to Update Voter Registration After a Name Change
Updated May 2026 · Informational only · Not legal advice
After a legal name change, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Rules, deadlines, and channels differ by state. The table below summarizes typical update paths and links to each state’s official voter registration hub on Vote.gov. Always confirm details with your local election office—especially close to an election.
If you are also following federal legislation discussed as the SAVE Act, start with our SAVE Act and name change overview and the shorter explainer on married women and voter registration.
50-state + D.C. snapshot
“Online common” means many voters can start or complete updates online in typical cases; it does not guarantee every county or every name scenario is online-only.
| State / district | Typical update path | Deadline context | Online? | Documents (typical) | Official hub |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Submit a corrected registration with your county board of elections. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Mail / in person | Government-issued ID in your current legal name; proof of residence if your address changed. | Register / update |
| Alaska | File an update with the Division of Elections (often by mail or in person). | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Mail / in person | ID showing your new legal name; prior registration details if requested. | Register / update |
| Arizona | Update through your county recorder or the statewide voter portal. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | AZ-issued ID or other listed ID in your current legal name; residence verification if required. | Register / update |
| Arkansas | Send a signed registration update to your county clerk. | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Mail / in person | ID in your new legal name; SSN last four may be used for matching. | Register / update |
| California | Use the California DMV voter registration flow or submit a paper update to your county elections office. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | Current legal name on ID or acceptable proof documents per county instructions. | Register / update |
| Colorado | Update through the Secretary of State’s online voter service or by returned mail ballot envelope instructions. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | Colorado ID/driver license reflecting your legal name; address confirmation if needed. | Register / update |
| Connecticut | Submit a new registration form or change card to your local registrar of voters. | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Often online | CT DMV-issued ID or other permitted ID with your current legal name. | Register / update |
| Delaware | File an update with your county Department of Elections. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | DE ID or SSN/DMV signature match per state form instructions. | Register / update |
| Florida | Submit a signed registration update to your county supervisor of elections. | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Often online | FL driver license or ID number, or last four of SSN; signature on file. | Register / update |
| Georgia | Update via the Secretary of State’s online voter registration or your county board. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | GA driver’s license/ID number; citizenship and residence attestations on the form. | Register / update |
| Hawaii | Submit an affidavit or updated application to your county elections clerk. | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Often online | HI ID or driver license in your current legal name; proof of principal residence. | Register / update |
| Idaho | Mail or deliver an updated registration to your county clerk. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Mail / in person | ID driver’s license number or last four of SSN; legal name on supporting ID. | Register / update |
| Illinois | Use the Illinois Online Voter Registration system or mail a form to your election authority. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | IL driver’s license/state ID number or last four of SSN; name must match official records. | Register / update |
| Indiana | Update through the Indiana voter portal or your county voter registration office. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | IN driver’s license or ID number; legal name as shown on BMV records. | Register / update |
| Iowa | Submit changes to your county auditor (online options exist for many updates). | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | IA driver’s license or non-operator ID number; current legal name. | Register / update |
| Kansas | Submit a new registration form to your county election officer. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | KS driver’s license number or non-driver ID; name must match motor vehicle records. | Register / update |
| Kentucky | Mail or deliver an update to your county clerk’s office. | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Mail / in person | Social Security card or other ID showing your new legal name; proof of residence. | Register / update |
| Louisiana | Submit a voter registration application with corrections to your parish registrar. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | LA driver’s license or special ID number; updated legal name. | Register / update |
| Maine | Update with your town or city clerk or through the statewide voter registration system. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | ME driver’s license/state ID or last four of SSN; current legal name. | Register / update |
| Maryland | Use Maryland’s online voter registration or mail a change to your local board. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | MD driver’s license number or MVA ID; legal name on MVA records. | Register / update |
| Massachusetts | Submit an update to your local election office or use Massachusetts’s online registration. | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Often online | MA driver’s license/ID or SSN; name must match RMV records for online updates. | Register / update |
| Michigan | Update at a Secretary of State office or by mail; online updates are available when ID records match. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | MI driver’s license or state ID; legal name must align with SOS records. | Register / update |
| Minnesota | Submit a Minnesota Voter Registration Application with your new name to your county auditor. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | MN driver’s license, learner permit, or last four of SSN; current legal name. | Register / update |
| Mississippi | Mail or deliver an updated application to your municipal clerk or county circuit clerk. | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Mail / in person | MS driver’s license number or last four of SSN; ID with new legal name. | Register / update |
| Missouri | Submit a new registration form to your local election authority. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | MO driver’s license or nondriver ID; legal name as on state ID. | Register / update |
| Montana | Deliver or mail an updated registration to your county election administrator. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Mail / in person | MT driver’s license/ID, last four of SSN, or other listed ID; new legal name. | Register / update |
| Nebraska | Update through your county election office or the state’s online registration where available. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | NE driver’s license or state ID number; updated legal name. | Register / update |
| Nevada | Update via Nevada’s online voter registration or your county clerk/registrar. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | NV driver’s license or DMV ID number; DMV signature on file for many updates. | Register / update |
| New Hampshire | Register or update in person with your town or city clerk (NH is not NVRA motor-voter). | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Mail / in person | ID proving identity, age, citizenship, and domicile; documents should reflect your legal name. | Register / update |
| New Jersey | Submit updates to your county commissioner of registration. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | NJ driver’s license or MVC-issued ID number; legal name on MVC records. | Register / update |
| New Mexico | Use the Secretary of State’s online portal or mail a paper update to your county clerk. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | NM driver’s license or state ID number; current legal name. | Register / update |
| New York | Submit a voter registration form to your county board of elections (DMV transactions may also update records). | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Often online | NY driver’s license number, non-driver ID, or last four of SSN; legal name. | Register / update |
| North Carolina | Submit changes to your county board of elections (online options exist for many voters). | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | NC driver’s license or DMV ID number, last four of SSN, or other listed verification. | Register / update |
| North Dakota | Update with your county auditor (ND is not a standard NVRA motor-voter state). | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Mail / in person | ND driver’s license or ID in your current legal name; proof of residence. | Register / update |
| Ohio | Update online through Ohio’s voter portal or mail a form to your county board of elections. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | OH driver’s license or state ID number, last four of SSN, or other accepted ID. | Register / update |
| Oklahoma | Submit a voter registration application with your county election board. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | OK driver’s license number or last four of SSN; legal name on official ID. | Register / update |
| Oregon | Update through the Oregon Elections Division or your county elections office. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | OR driver’s license/ID or last four of SSN; updated legal name. | Register / update |
| Pennsylvania | Submit a change to your county board of elections or use Pennsylvania’s online registration. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | PA driver’s license or PennDOT ID number, last four of SSN, or a signature upload path. | Register / update |
| Rhode Island | Mail or deliver an update to your local board of canvassers. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | RI driver’s license or state ID number; current legal name. | Register / update |
| South Carolina | Submit updates to your county board of voter registration and elections. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | SC driver’s license number or DMV-issued ID; legal name on DMV records. | Register / update |
| South Dakota | Return a signed registration form to your county auditor. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Mail / in person | SD driver’s license number or last four of SSN; ID with new legal name if requested. | Register / update |
| Tennessee | Submit a paper registration update to your county election commission (TN requires paper for most changes). | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Mail / in person | TN driver’s license number or SSN; government-issued ID with current legal name. | Register / update |
| Texas | Mail or deliver a corrected registration to your county voter registrar. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Mail / in person | TX driver’s license or personal ID number if issued; otherwise SSN or other permitted ID. | Register / update |
| Utah | Update through the Lieutenant Governor’s voter website or your county clerk. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | UT driver’s license or state ID; legal name must match driver license database for online updates. | Register / update |
| Vermont | Submit an updated registration to your town or city clerk or use Vermont’s online tools when available. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | VT driver’s license or non-driver ID number; current legal name. | Register / update |
| Virginia | Update online via the Virginia citizen portal or mail a form to your general registrar. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | VA driver’s license or DMV ID number; legal name on DMV records. | Register / update |
| Washington | Update through VoteWA.gov or your county elections department. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | WA driver’s license/state ID or last four of SSN; updated legal name. | Register / update |
| Washington D.C. | Submit an update to the D.C. Board of Elections. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | ID in your current legal name; proof of DC residence if applicable. | Register / update |
| West Virginia | Submit a voter registration form to your county clerk. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Often online | WV driver’s license or ID number; legal name on DMV records. | Register / update |
| Wisconsin | Mail or deliver a new EL-131 form to your municipal clerk (WI is not a standard NVRA motor-voter state). | Many elections use a pre–Election Day registration deadline (often 15–30 days before). Plan ahead so your updated legal name appears on poll books. | Mail / in person | WI driver’s license or state ID number, or last four of SSN; proof of residence. | Register / update |
| Wyoming | Submit a registration update to your county clerk. | New registrations often have a cutoff before Election Day (commonly 7–30 days; varies by election). Update your name as soon as it changes so your ID and rolls match before you vote. | Mail / in person | WY driver’s license number or last four of SSN; ID with current legal name. | Register / update |
Suggested order of updates
- Update Social Security when your court order or certificate supports it.
- Update your driver’s license or state ID so poll-worker checks align with registration databases.
- Update voter registration with your new legal name (and address, if needed).
Guides: Social Security name change · Driver’s license name change