Newly wedded. Wife is taking name. Does she need her social security card with new name change in order to obtain new California driver's license? Or can she provide a certified copy of the marriage certificate and her current driver's license?

Change name first with Social security...then at least 72 hrs.later can go to DMV. If making your drivers license Federal compliant (Real ID), then bring the following: Original Birth cert. or certified copy(no abstracts)... AND... Original marriage cert. or certified copy... AND... Social Security Card... AND... 2 proofs of Residence.. acceptable proofs of address would be... utility bills, bank stmt., insurance bill/stmt., medical bill, rental/lease agreement, or car registration.... If Not doing Real ID, and you just want to renew or update your non-compliant drivers license to show your new last name, then just bring the original marriage cert. after you have changed it with social security.

I believe that she would need two forms of government ID(ssc, passport, birth certificate, or credit card). I'm not sure about the marriage certificate but I would also bring two other options just in case they ask for two of those. BTW, congratulations on the wedding!