What is the SAVE Act?

The SAVE Act is federal legislation that requires voters to present documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. The accepted documents must show a legal name, creating a burden for married women whose ID reflects a married name not matching their birth certificate.

How much does it cost to change your name for the SAVE Act?

The cost varies by state but typically includes court filing fees ($50-$450), newspaper publication fees where required, certified copies of the court decree, a new birth certificate, and a DMV name update. Total costs typically range from $100 to over $500 depending on the state.

Do married women have to change their name to vote under the SAVE Act?

Under the SAVE Act, voters must present documents where the name matches. Married women who use a married name on their ID but whose birth certificate shows a different name may face challenges. The calculator at donimath.org helps estimate the cost of resolving this discrepancy.

Department of Nominal Independence · donimath.org
Established 2026 by Act of Congress · E Pluribus Burocratum

Department of Nominal Independence

The SAVE Act is the most pro-feminist legislation in a generation. No previous administration has so actively encouraged married women to retain their birth names. We're here to help you take advantage of this historic opportunity.

We checked the math. Congress did not.

The Situation

The SAVE Act requires you to prove your citizenship every time you register to vote — including when you move, change your address, or update your party registration. For the 69 million American women whose birth certificates don't match their current legal name, that means assembling a paper trail of every marriage, divorce, and name change in your life. In person. Every time.

The Math Problem

Turns out, legislation is easy to pass when you haven't done the math. We did.

Before you spend weeks tracking down certified documents from three states and two ex-husbands, let's find out what your options actually cost.

We built a calculator. It will tell you three things:

What it costs to assemble your document chain
What it costs to get a passport
What it costs to just change your name back to your birth name

One of these is probably a lot cheaper than you think.

The Math Congress Didn't Do

All estimates. Fees vary by county. We're just doing math.

Step 1

Your Results

⚠️ PATH A: THE FINE PRINT Under the SAVE Act, you must present your documents in person every time you move, change your address, or update your registration. This is not a one-time cost. This is every election cycle, by law, by design, forever.

PATH A

Gather Documents

Do this again? Yes. Every time you move or update registration.

Documents needed: Full chain. Every time.

PATH B

Get a Passport

Do this again? Only if it expires or your name changes again.

Documents needed: Just your passport.

PATH C

Change Name Back

Do this again? No. Never again.

Documents needed: Birth cert + DL. That's it. Forever.

The Math Congress Didn't Do

All estimates. Fees vary by county. We're just doing math.

E Pluribus Burocratum

DONImath.org

The Solution

If the calculator sent you here, here's what you need to know.

Changing your name requires a court petition. Filing fees range from $0 to $450 depending on your personal income. Stay-at-home spouse? Your fee is likely $0.

Which means changing your name back to your birth name may be a lot cheaper than certifying all the required documents to vote.

$0. Filing fee if you qualify for a fee waiver.

Fee waivers are available to anyone receiving public benefits or below your state's income threshold. If you're a stay-at-home spouse with no personal income, you almost certainly qualify.

All costs shown are estimates — fees vary by county.

When it's done, your birth certificate and your driver's license match. You never have to do this again.

Not because of feminism. Not because of divorce. Because the United States Congress made it the most rational financial decision available to you.

File In Your State

Ready to file? Find your state.

Exact forms, fees, and filing instructions. Select your state below.