essay on name change

The complete guide to legally changing your name

No matter the reason why you want to change your name (marriage, divorce, gender change, or personal preference), there is a procedure you must follow. Find out what you need to do to change your name.

Find out more about divorce

by   Brette Sember, J.D.

Brette is a former attorney and has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 4...

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Updated on: May 7, 2024 · 11 min read

Deciding to change your name

How to change your name, steps for legally changing your name, changing your name based on your marriage certificate.

• Changing a child's name

The process of legally changing your name depends on your state's laws and the reason you are changing your name.

Common reasons to legally change your name include marriage or divorce, gender identity change, and personal preference. But no matter your reason, you'll have to make a legal name change request.

Once you do change your name, there is a long list of people, entities, and other institutions to contact with the new information to make sure the change is complete.

In this article we'll explain the processes for legally changing your name to a new name and the steps for getting a name change order.

Deciding to legally change your name is a big step and one that should not be made lightly. In most situations, you must have a very good reason to change your name, and a judge must approve your request and issue a name change order unless the name change is related to marital status.

You may change your first name, middle name, and/or last name to a new name or names. Note that you can change your title (for example, Mr., Ms., or Mrs.) at any time you want since it is not a legal designation.

If you decide you want to legally change your name (first name, middle name, or last name) for a reason not related to marriage or divorce (such as gender change or gender identity, because your name is hard to spell or pronounce, or because you just do not like it), you must go through a court process, make a name change request, and receive a court order to be allowed to change your name. The simple process is easy to do, is the same process whatever your reason, and is governed by state law.

How to file for a name change

In most states, your local court clerk at your county courthouse can provide you with the legal forms, legal documents, name change request form, or name change document with the basic steps you need to request a name change. You must file the original completed documents with the court.

You may have to show your current driver's license as legal proof of identity when you submit your paperwork. You will likely need to submit a petition for a name change along with other documents required in your court. There will be a local document fee which varies by state. The fee varies by state but is usually under $300. In Texas, for example, the filing fee for the petition with the court is between $150 and $300, depending on where you live.

The court may require you to undergo a background check by the FBI and have your fingerprints taken in addition to the completed form you must file. You will pay a fee for this as well.

Your state might also require you to publish a public notice of your name change in a local newspaper so that anyone who objects can be heard. The court clerk or county clerk's office will give you step-by-step instructions. You will have to provide proof of publication and pay the publication cost.

In most states, you will likely have to attend a brief court hearing at a court date where the judge may ask a few questions about why you are changing your name. The entire process from filing to completion may take a few weeks to a few months, depending on how busy the courts are.

You cannot change your name to impersonate someone else (such as a famous person), hide your identity, escape prosecution for a crime or a debt, or defraud anyone. You cannot change your name to something obscene or offensive, like a racial slur. In most states, your name must use letters, not numbers. Your new name must meet your state's requirements for a legal name.

Once you work through the court process for legally changing your name, submit your completed form, and have your court appearance, there are still more steps you need to take to ensure that your new name is fully in use.

1. Obtain the court order and new birth certificate

Once your court procedure is completed, the court will issue a court order legally changing your name to the new name. You may need to obtain a certified copy of the order. Your state will then issue a new birth certificate. This document is key because you will need to present it to change other documents and records. You may need a certified copy of it for some institutions.

2. Change government and financial records

Once you have your new birth certificate, get a copy with a raised seal (getting this upfront will save hours because you will have to request it later) and present that to the DMV and the Social Security Administration to get your new driver's license or photo ID, and Social Security card. They will each have specific forms you will need to complete and may have other documents you must bring with you for the change. The DMV may have a fee for the change.

Once you have the new driver's license and Social Security card, you can use those to change other documents and obtain altered items such as your new passport (make sure the passport matches your name on other documents), insurance card, car registration, credit cards, bank accounts, credit union accounts, investment accounts, government offices, voter registration information, bank statements, Global Entry, investments, financial records, other financial accounts, deeds, titles, and other documents.

If you aren't sure how to change your name on something, check with the issuing agency. Changing your name everywhere can be time-consuming, but it is important to be thorough.

It is also important to note that simply changing your name does not change your intestacy rights to inheritance.

If you want to know how to change your name after marriage, the first thing to know about a name change after marriage is that it is your choice whether to change it or not. You do not need a court order or a change document to change your name after you get married.

If you are wondering how to legally change your last name after marriage, you can take your spouse's last name or hyphenate your last name and your spouse's last name. In a name change after marriage, you cannot change your first name, but you can also change your current middle name if you change it to your premarital last name.

If you want to change your last name after marriage to your spouse's last name, all you need to do is show a copy of your marriage certificate to get your name changed everywhere. Once you have your new driver's license or passport, that will work for the name change request.

The marriage certificate itself will not show your married name, but the certificate provides proof that you are permitted to do a name change after marriage.

Once you are married, you can change your name to your spouse's name at any time you want—immediately or months or years later. Whenever you do it, your marriage certificate is the proof you need to show.

Changing your name after marriage: other situations

Sometimes when changing their name after marriage, a couple may decide they both want to change their names to an entirely new last name or combination of their previous names. In that instance, each spouse will need to file a formal name change petition with a local court.

It is important to understand that if your marriage ends, your name remains the same unless you take steps to change it.

Social Security card

After your marriage, you take your marriage certificate along with the required Social Security form and other documents requested to the local Social Security Administration office, and you will be issued a new Social Security card in your married name.

Your local Social Security office

To locate your local Social Security office or branch location, visit www.ssa.gov/locator. This is where you will go to get the name on your Social Security card changed after your name change.

Driver's license

To change your last name on your driver's license after marriage, you take your marriage certificate to the Department of Motor Vehicles, complete the required paperwork, pay a fee, and provide any further documentation.

Other steps in marriage name change process

Once you have your new driver's license and Social Security card, you can go on to legally change your name with other government agencies. Note that your name is not changed when you do a name change after getting married unless you actively ask for it to be changed on all documents.

When can you change your name with a divorce?

If you changed your name to your spouse's name when you married and had a new married name, you might want to change your name back to your maiden name (also called a premarital name) if you get divorced. You are not required to do so, however. If you have a child, you might want to keep your married name so it will match your child's name. Your former spouse does not have to give permission or agree if you want to do a name change after divorce.

Steps for changing your name after divorce

To change your name after divorce back to your former name, you must decide that you want to change your name back (or that you want to have the option to change it back) during the divorce proceedings or divorce case. During the divorce process, you must make a request to the court to be able to change your name. Your name will not automatically revert to your maiden name or premarital name. You must request the legal name change.

Divorce decree and name change process

If you ask the court for the right to change your name to your premarital name, the judge will include a clause in your divorce decree giving you the legal ability to change your name to your premarital name. You do not need to go through any other court process or file for a legal name change. Your name after divorce can be legally changed to your premarital name without any other court order.

How to legally change your name in the divorce process

Once the divorce is concluded and your state's court has issued the  divorce judgment or divorce decree , you will then use that document to legally change your name elsewhere as part of your name change process.

Birth certificate after divorce

If you changed your name when you married, your birth certificate was not altered. Therefore, when you get divorced, you do not need to make any changes to your birth certificate.

Social Security Administration legal name change

After you have your divorce decree, take it to a Social Security office and have your Social Security card changed back to your premarital name as part of your name change process. You will get a new Social Security card.

Other steps

After you have completed the legal steps for changing your name after a marriage or divorce, make sure you change your name on documents and accounts, including with your insurance companies, utilities, Global Entry, financial institutions, investment accounts, doctor's offices, driver's license, your current passport, credit cards, brokerage account, banks, investments, loyalty programs, your employer, and payroll information.

Banks require that you provide legal identification when you change your name on accounts, so bring the document that authorizes the change as well as your new driver's license.

You may also want to change your name on your social media accounts, but you don't have to wait for the name change to be official to do that.

You don't need to notify the United State Postal Service of the name change since all mail addressed to your address will be delivered. But if you move soon after a name change and have an address change, be sure to forward mail in both names.

If you have airline tickets, be sure the name on the boarding pass matches the ID you present. It may be wise to hold off on booking tickets until you complete your name change.

Changing a child's name

If you want to change your child's birth name, you must file a petition for a name change in court, and both parents must agree, or a court must order the child's name change when a judge signs an order if a parent makes an ex parte application. Sometimes after a divorce, a parent wants the child's name to change to a stepparent's last name because of the child's relationship with the stepparent. This is only possible if the other parent agrees.

If a child is adopted, their legal name is legally changed on their new birth certificate.

Your name is a very personal choice, and you have the right to change it to fit your marital status, personal preferences, and other life changes. The name change process just requires a few steps and attention to detail. You do not need to buy name change kits and can make the change on your own. Name changes are simple to do and give you control over your identity.

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

How to change your name and what government agencies to notify

You might change your name through marriage, divorce, or court. Update your new name with Social Security, the motor vehicle office, and other government agencies.

How to legally change your name

The process of changing your name through marriage, divorce, or a court order can vary between states. 

Before you get married, you must apply for a marriage license. After you apply for the license and get married, your new name will be reflected on your marriage certificate. Contact the local government where you are getting married to learn about applying for a marriage license and how to change your name.

When you file for divorce, you can change your name back to the name you used before you got married. In most states, you may do so when you apply for your divorce decree. Contact your local government to learn more about changing your name when you file for divorce.

Court order

In most cases, you must file a petition with your local court to change your name. To do so, you may need to file paperwork and appear before a judge to complete the process. Find your local government website and contact your circuit court to get information about how you can legally change your name.

Government agencies to notify when you change your name

Use certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates or name change orders as proof to notify these federal and state agencies that you changed your name.

Social Security card

Notify the Social Security Administration  (SSA) early. Other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA.

Driver’s license or state ID card

Contact your  state motor vehicle office . Having an updated license or state ID will make changing your name with other agencies easier.

Tax returns

Every name on your tax return must match Social Security Administration records. The IRS says it is critical to  update names with the SSA before filing your tax return .

U.S. passport

Report your name change  to the State Department as soon as possible to get an updated passport.

Naturalization certificate and certificate of citizenship

Complete a USCIS application online or by mail  to update the name on your naturalization or citizenship certificate.

Veterans benefits

If you receive veterans health care or benefits, notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) .

Voter registration

Update your state voter registration:

• Online through vote.gov  or
• By mail using the National Mail Voter Registration form

Postal service

Report your name change to the  local post office  that delivers your mail.

State benefits programs

Contact your  state's social services office  if you receive SNAP (food stamps), TANF (welfare), or other public assistance.

State and property taxes

Notify your state taxing authority .

If you own a home, notify the city or county property tax office.

LAST UPDATED: February 2, 2024

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Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

7 Things To Know Before Legally Changing Your Name

By suzanne raga | dec 29, 2022, 12:07 pm est.

People legally change their first, middle, or last names for a variety of reasons: Major life changes— getting married , divorced, or undergoing a gender reassignment—might catalyze a name change, or people might just hate the name they were born with.

“The biggest thing to keep in mind about any name change is that it is a process, rather than a one-stop shop,” Anna Phipps, former VP of experience at HitchSwitch , a name change service geared toward newlyweds, told Mental Floss in 2016. Obtaining a legal document such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court granted petition will allow you to change your name but won’t make your name change official, she explained. “You won’t be legally recognized by your new name until you’ve submitted applications with the Social Security Administration, DMV, etc.”

If you’re considering getting a legal name change, here are seven things you should know.

1. You can name yourself anything—with a few exceptions.

If you don’t like your birth name , you can legally change it to whatever you want … with a few exceptions . You can’t name yourself after a celebrity (because that could be viewed as intentionally misleading), a trademarked name, a numeral (like 4 or 8), a punctuation mark (like ? or !), or something offensive or obscene. You also can’t change your name to commit fraud, evade law enforcement, or avoid paying any debts you owe.

Jo-Anne Stayner of I’m a Mrs. Name Change Service recommends that people who are legally changing their name make sure they’re 100 percent certain of the spelling and format of their new name. “It might seem obvious, but we get several inquiries a year for people needing to make a legal name change because of a misspelling,” she told Mental Floss in 2016.

2. The simplest times to change your last name are during marriage and divorce.

In most states, people can legally change their last name to their new spouse’s surname, hyphenate their two surnames, or create a new amalgamation of their surnames (like when actors Alexa Vega and Carlos Pena got married in 2014, and changed both of their last names to PenaVega).

If you decide to change your last name when you get married, you don’t need a court order. Just write your new last name on your marriage license and show your marriage certificate (not license) to places such as the DMV, your bank, and Social Security Administration as proof of your new last name.

And if you get divorced and want to legally change your name back to your maiden name, you can usually get the judge to take care of that during the divorce proceedings. Your name change should appear on your decree of dissolution (a.k.a. divorce decree), then you can start using your maiden name again.

3. You don’t need to hire a lawyer …

Although it may be seem daunting to show up at court or fill out legal paperwork, you don’t need to hire a lawyer to change your name.

Filling out a petition for name change can be fairly straightforward. But if you do feel overwhelmed by navigating the name change process yourself, consider outside help. Companies such as LegalZoom offer packages that streamline it, giving you the paperwork you need to fill out for your state.

Services such as I’m a Mrs. and HitchSwitch can also simplify the name change process by putting all the forms and instructions you need in one place. “We save our members time by auto-populating forms, pre-drafting emails, and providing specific contact details and tips on organizations’ preferred method to submit name changes,” Stayner explained.

4. ... But be ready to pay a few hundred dollars.

In most states, you have to pay a fee (usually $150 to $200) to file your name change petition in court. It also costs a small amount of money to get forms notarized . And if you’re getting married, you may want to pay for additional certified copies of your marriage certificate to use as proof of your new last name.

5. Update everyone about your new name …

You’ll need to make government agencies , businesses, family, and friends aware of your new name. First, apprise the Social Security Administration of your new name, then notify the IRS and the DMV—you may need to get a new driver’s license. Don’t forget to tell banks , credit card companies, utility companies, and mortgage or loan companies about your new name, and make a list of any identification documents—like your passport —that you’ll need to update.

Other things you should do? Get new checks, notify the post office, and update your medical records and insurance. If you have legal documents like a will or trust, you’ll want to look into changing them as well.

6. … But don’t jump the gun.

Although it’s important to notify people of your new name, doing it too soon could create logistical problems. “Wait until you get your official paperwork (court papers, marriage certificate, divorce decree) in hand before starting to change your name broadly—you’ll save a lot of time this way,” Stayner said.

Waiting can also help you preserve your good credit —you don’t want to lose credit history that you’ve built under your old name. Additionally, it can take several weeks to notify the passport office of your new married name, so if you’re traveling internationally for your honeymoon, use your maiden name (to match the name on your passport) to book flights.

Finally, transgender people who are undergoing gender-affirming care should proceed with caution when changing their names with their health insurance companies to avoid confusion and ensure coverage.

7. State laws vary, so do your research.

Not all states require that you file your name change in court, but some states do. In California, for example, you can technically choose a new name and start using it consistently under the state’s usage method . But realistically, you might still need a court order to show as proof of your name change to banks, the SSA, or the DMV because these organizations are wary of identity theft. Some states also require that you advertise your new name by publishing it in a newspaper . No matter where you live, do your research (your state government’s website is a good place to start) to make sure you’re following your state’s protocol.

A version of this story originally ran in 2016; it has been updated for 2022.

I Want to Change My Name

There are many steps involved in changing your name. The steps include:

• filing your completed petition
• paying fees
• getting a criminal background check (for everyone 22 or older)
• publishing a notice of hearing (in most cases), and
• attending a hearing

Read this article to learn more about the process.

If You are Getting Divorced

If you took your spouse’s last name when you were married and you are now getting divorced, you may ask the judge to let you change your last name as part of your divorce. Read Finishing Your Michigan Divorce without Minor Children  or Finishing Your Michigan Divorce with Minor Children to learn more about changing your name as part of your divorce.

The Process and Requirements

File a Petition for Name Change to start the process of changing your name. You can use the  Do-It-Yourself Name Change tool to complete your petition. The process to change your name typically takes between four and six months. The processing time varies depending on if you need to have a criminal background check or not.

Along with the other information required in your petition, you must say why you want to change your name. You can’t change your name for fraudulent reasons. Fraudulent reasons include wanting to deceive creditors or escape a criminal history.

Once you complete the petition, make a copy of it. File the original with the circuit court in the county where you live. You must have lived in that county for at least one year before you file your petition. It will cost $175 to file your petition. If you cannot afford to pay this, you can ask the judge to waive the fee. Read the article Fee Waivers in Court Cases to learn more about fee waivers.

If You are a Minor

If you are a minor who is at least 14 years old, you can ask the judge to change your name, but both your parents must agree to it.

If your noncustodial parent objects to the name change, the judge may still approve it if that parent:

• Had the ability to pay support, but did not provide you with substantial support for the last two years, AND had the ability to visit or contact you, but has not had substantial contact with you in the last two years, 
• Was convicted of child abuse or a sexual assault crime and you or one of your siblings was the victim,  OR
• Was convicted of first-degree or second-degree murder.

Your noncustodial parent must be given legal notice of the hearing and have a chance to object to the proposed name change. If you do not know their address, you must publish a notice with their name, to try to notify them about the name change. The Do-It-Yourself Name Change tool will create the forms you need to do this. 

If one of your parents is deceased, and your other parent has custody of you, that parent must agree to your name change. If that parent does not have custody of you, you must still notify your parent about your proposed name change and the hearing date.

If both your parents are deceased, your legal guardian must agree to your name change. You must submit letters of guardianship with your Petition for Name Change.

Criminal Background Check

If you are 22 years old or older, you must get a criminal background check. The processing fee for the criminal background check is $43.25.

First, you need to get fingerprinted. Some courts require that your fingerprints be submitted on a Michigan Applicant Fingerprint card (RI-008). Other courts will accept an electronic or "Live Scan" submission. Call the court where you are filing your Petition to find out which option the court will accept.

RI-008 Card Fingerprints

If your court uses the RI-008 card process, go to a local Michigan law enforcement agency and ask to be fingerprinted on a Michigan Applicant Fingerprint card (RI-008). Complete the card entirely. The law enforcement agency will take your fingerprints and give you the completed RI-008 card. The cost to get fingerprinted varies depending on the police station. Check with your local police station about the cost.

Then mail your fingerprints, a copy of your Petition for Name Change, and a check or money order for $43.25 to the Michigan State Police Department: 

Michigan State Police CJIC P.O. Box 30266 Lansing, Michigan 48909-7766

Once the state police receive your fingerprint card, it usually takes three to five weeks to process it.

Electronic Live Scan Fingerprints

If the court where you filed your petition uses Live Scan, the court will give you the Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request form when you file your Petition. Contact the Live Scan vendor the court gives you to schedule a fingerprint appointment. If the court does not have a specific vendor it works with, select a vendor closest to you from the list of  Live Scan Vendors . 

The Live Scan vendor will collect the $43.25 processing fee. The Live Scan vendor may charge an additional fee. It will send your fingerprints to the Michigan State Police. Once the state police receive the Live Scan, it usually takes seven business days to process.

Background Check Results

The state police department will report its findings and any information it got from the FBI to the court . They will not send you a copy. 

The background check will likely show any criminal records you have, including:

• open or closed criminal cases
• cases from out of state
• very old records, including juvenile records
• expunged records

If you have no pending charges or criminal record, the state police will destroy its copy of your fingerprints.

If You Have a Criminal Record

If your background check shows a criminal record, the judge will presume you want to change your name to escape your criminal history. You have to convince the judge that you're not trying to hide the criminal record with your name change. To do this, you can explain the the real reasons for your name change at the name change hearing.

If the judge grants your name change, the order will be sent to the state police, and maybe:

• The department of corrections if you are now in prison, on parole, or you were in prison during the last two years,
• The sheriff of the county where you were last convicted, if you were in a county jail anytime during the last two years, or
• A court that has jurisdiction over you. A court has jurisdiction over you if you were the Plaintiff (or Petitioner) or Defendant (or Respondent) in a case in that court.

Publishing Notice of the Name Change

The process.

Most notices of name change hearings must be published in a local newspaper. This gives people your name change may affect a chance to object to it. You can use the  Do-It-Yourself Name Change tool to get your Publication of Notice of Hearing form.

If publishing notice of the hearing would be dangerous or harmful, you can ask the judge not to publish. For more information, read Asking the Judge NOT to Publish Notice of the Name Change below.

Some courts work with the local Legal News for publication. In these courts, a copy of the Publication of Notice of Hearing form is sent to the Legal News for publishing when you file it. The Legal News will bill for the amount owed. After the fee is paid, the Legal News will mail you the original Affidavit of Publication. File it with the court.

Other courts require you to contact a local newspaper to publish your notice. Ask the newspaper to publish your notice right away.

After the local newspaper publishes your name change notice, submit a copy of the published notice and Affidavit of Publication to the court. The newspaper must complete the Affidavit of Publication, not you. The Affidavit of Publication must list the qualifications of the newspaper and the date or dates the notice was published.

Most newspapers have a standard affidavit form they use. If the newspaper publishing your notice does not, you can send it this Affidavit of Publication Form .

The judge will not sign the order granting your name change without the published notice and the Affidavit of Publication.

The notice must be published before your name change hearing . Depending on the county you live in, the notice needs to be published between two and eight weeks before the hearing. Some courts require you to check with them three days before your hearing to make sure they got the publication information. You can contact your local circuit court to find out its publication requirements. Use the  Courts & Agencies  section of this website to get contact information for your local circuit court.

Publication Fees and Fee Waivers

There is usually a fee for publishing notice of a name change. Some newspapers also charge a fee for the Affidavit of Publication. The prices depend on your county and the newspaper.

If you get a fee waiver, the court must pay the publication and affidavit costs. Read Fee Waivers in Court Cases to learn more about fee waivers.

Asking the Judge NOT to Publish Notice of the Name Change

If you have a good reason you don’t want to publish notice of the name change, you can ask the judge to keep the record of the proceedings confidential. The Do-It-Yourself Name Change tool will give you the forms you need. 

You need to show there is “good cause” not to publish. The Do-It-Yourself Name Change tool includes options to explain that there is good cause for any of these reasons:

• Publishing would put someone in physical danger;
• Publishing would put someone at risk of discrimination (for example, discrimination against transgender people); and/or
• Publishing would be harmful for another important reason.

After you file your petition the judge may either agree or disagree with your request. If the judge agrees and grants your request, you can continue the name change process without publishing. (Note, if a minor is changing their name, and one of their parents has no known address, you may still have to publish the parents' names.)  

If the judge decides not to grant your written request, you have three choices:

• You can publish notice of the name change hearing and continue with the process.
• You can stop the name change process. You can file again in the future if you want. 
• You can request a special hearing about publication. At the publication hearing, you explain why publishing notice of the name change would be harmful. If the judge still doesn’t agree with you, you will have another chance to choose one of the two options above.

For step-by-step instructions, go to Filing for a Name Change , and find the instructions that apply to you.

The Name Change Hearing

On the day of your name change hearing, bring any documents that are related to your name change. It is always a good idea to have two copies of the documents, so you can give the judge one.

At the hearing, the judge will likely ask you questions about the information in your petition. The judge will also give anyone who objects to your name change a chance to talk about their reasons for objecting.

If your petition is approved, the judge will complete and sign the order changing your name. The order is one of the documents that you can get by using the  Do-It-Yourself Name Change  tool. There is a $10 fee to have the court enter the order. A certified copy of the order costs another $11. It is generally a good idea to get two certified copies, if possible.

If the judge ordered your name change records be kept confidential, then the records will be kept in a sealed envelope marked confidential and placed in a private file. Only you will have access to these records, unless a judge orders otherwise.

Family Name Changes

When you ask to change your own name, you can also ask the judge to change your child’s name or the last name of your entire family using the same petition. The same general rules apply.

Complete and file the Petition for Name Change with the family division of the circuit court in the county where you and your child or family live. Anyone listed on the petition must have lived in that county for at least one year. Pay the fees associated with a name change. Everyone 22 years old or older must get a criminal background check. Publish the Notice of Hearing (unless the judge orders your case be kept confidential). 

If you are not currently living with your child’s other parent, you must notify your child’s other parent.

If your child’s noncustodial parent objects to the proposed name change, to have the name change approved you must prove that parent:

• Had the ability to pay, but failed to provide your child with substantial support for the last two years, AND had the ability to visit or contact your child, but has not had substantial contact with your child in the last two years;
• Was convicted of child abuse or a sexual assault crime and your child or one of your child’s siblings was the victim;  OR

Any minor child listed on the petition who is 14 years old or older must agree to the name change and sign the Minor's Consent to Name Change form in front of the judge during the hearing. If any child listed on the petition is younger than 14 years old (typically seven or older), the judge will decide if the child is capable of expressing a preference, and will consider that child’s wishes.

After Your Name Change

Not all documents that have your old name on them will automatically change. To learn more about what you should do after your name change, read the article  After Your Name Change .

Finding a Lawyer

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What should I do if I get a call claiming there is a problem with my Social Security number or account?

Change name with Social Security

You’ll make this change by requesting a replacement Social Security card. We’ll mail your free replacement card after we update your record.

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Fill out the Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) (PDF) and bring it to a local office along with unexpired identification and proof of name change, such as a marriage or divorce document, adoption decree, amended or corrected birth certificate, court order with the name change, or tribal document. Documents must be original or have a signature, stamp, or raised seal from the issuing agency. We don't accept photocopies.

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Home Resources Personal & Family Name Change Form: Everything You Need to Know

Name Change Form: Everything You Need to Know

Updated July 27, 2023 | Written by Susan Chai, Esq.

What is a Name Change Form?

Major life events like a marriage or divorce may prompt you to change your name, but some people change their names for various personal reasons.

Most states allow you to start using a new name without paperwork (i.e., standard law name change).

If you want banks or government institutions to recognize your new name officially, a court order from your state court is usually required (i.e., the court decreed name change) to register your new name.

Asking government institutions to recognize a name change usually requires you to provide the following:

• Legal Document: a certified marriage certificate, final decree of divorce, or name change judgment from the court is needed
• Identification: driver’s license, state ID card, naturalization certificate, or passport with your birth name
• Date of Birth: a birth certificate, adoption record, or hospital record

Some states require you to publish a notice in your local newspaper notifying people of your proposed name change. Anyone affected may then attend the scheduled hearing.

As a reference, people often call a Name Change by other names:

• Application for Change of Name
• Certificate of Name Change
• Change of Name Hearing
• Name Change Judgment
• Name Change Petition
• Petition for Change of Name

When a Name Change is Needed

Why do i need a name change.

Government institutions like the Social Security Administration for benefits, IRS for tax returns, and State Department for passports often need a court-decreed name change.

The process of legally changing your name varies from state to state. Usually, it requires filing a petition in your local court and attending a hearing where others may comment or object to the proposed name change.

When the court issues a judgment granting the name change, your new name is official.

The Consequences of Not Getting a Name Change

What happens if i do not get a name change.

Even if you have been using a new name with your family, friends, and co-workers, you will not have the legal right to change your name with government agencies like the Social Security Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles until you obtain an order from your local court.

Should you change your name after marriage?

According to a June 2015 New York Times article, women are increasingly keeping their maiden names, especially if they are Asian, Hispanic, have an advanced degree, or “made a name” for themselves professionally before marriage.

More than ten years ago, however, a 2004 Harvard Study found a decrease in women keeping their maiden names , at least in Massachusetts.

Independent of these trends, a 2010 Dutch study found that women who adopt their partner’s names are judged as “more caring, more dependent, less intelligent, more emotional, less competent, and less ambitious” compared to women who kept their names and even took home nearly $500 a month more in salary.

Maybe Lucy Stone , the first American woman to keep her name after marriage in 1855, was on to something.

An earlier 2013 New York Times article offers another solution — become a “situational name user” — use your maiden name in professional situations and your married name in social situations.

If you choose not to change your name legally, carefully purchase plane tickets using the name on your driver’s license to avoid getting stuck in the airport because your ticket does not match your ID.

The Most Common Name Change Situations

Who needs a name change.

A Name Change is commonly used in the following situations:

If you are undergoing a gender change or reassignment, the courts of California guide how to change your name and gender through the court process. Consider a “Sealed Name Change” if you want to seal court records so the public cannot see them.

For example, you are changing your name to protect yourself from an abuser in a domestic violence situation.

Completing a Name Change

Once you have a marriage license, divorce certificate, or court order granting your name change, you will need to notify government institutions, banks, and others to complete the process of changing your name:

• Social Security:  use Form SS-5 to change your name on your Social Security Card  and visit your local Social Security Office
• Driver’s License: visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles to get a new driver’s license and change your vehicle title and registration AFTER receiving a certificate from the Social Security Office approving your name change
• Taxes:  file IRS Form 8822 – Change of Address – to update your tax returns, but you do not need to change your name with the Social Security Administration. If you want to file your taxes jointly, select “married filing jointly” according to the IRS
• Naturalization Certificate:   Form N-565 allows changes to your citizenship document
• Passport:  change the name on your U.S. passport with the U.S. Department of State or check the change of sex marker information if you are in the process of completing a gender reassignment
• USPS:  complete the change of address form with your new name and new address
• Elections:  update your voter registration card at your local election commission office
• Banks:  order new checks and credit cards by contacting your banks
• E-mail: change your e-mail (i.e., Gmail ) and work e-mails accordingly
• Business Cards:  ask your human resources office at the office for help
• Social Media:  change your name on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram
• Others:  doctors, insurance companies, clubs, retirement plans, and memberships

Susan Chai, Esq.

Legal Counsel

Susan Chai is Legal Counsel and Legal Editor at LegalTemplates and has been with the company from the ground floor. She has 15 years of experience in the corporate and regulatory compliance space.

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I didn't change my name after I got married despite being traditional in other ways. It doesn't make me less in love.

• I had initially planned on changing my name, but decided not to after giving it more thought.
• I still had to contend with family, friends, and strangers' opinions.
• Although I'm self-conscious about it sometimes, I am still happy in my decision.

In some ways, I was the last person people expected to keep her maiden name . I got engaged at 23 and married my college sweetheart in a big church wedding. My husband is the only person I've ever had sex with. I was a stay-at-home mom for years, and I'm in the PTA.

I had originally intended on changing my name and I don't hate tradition. What I hate are tons of paperwork and jumping through hoops. Changing one's name involves a lot of hassle. None of the other women on either side of my family had ever kept their maiden names, and only one of my close friends had. And many of them — including my mother, decades after her nuptials — still face some hassles occasionally.

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I wasn't really trying to make some sort of statement by keeping my name ; I was sparing myself a logistical headache.

I briefly changed it on Facebook

But I also started to think about the work (research and writing) I've published and the desire to retain a surname attached to that work. And not only did I feel some attachment to those accomplishments, but I was also attached to my family. I remember taking my husband's name on Facebook and being tagged in a photo with my brother. I didn't like how that felt, seeing last names that didn't match. Even more so with my dad ; he and I are very close. So I changed my name back to its original, and the short-lived Facebook change was as close as I ever got to being Mrs. James.

If my husband had felt strongly about it, I probably would have made the change. But I talked to him about my decision more than once, and he was fine with it every time I brought it up. But it was surprising how many other people had something to say about it. For example, almost five years after the wedding, multiple voicemails contained tiresome corrections of my " Hello, you've reached Danielle Hayden… " greeting, reminding me that I needed to update it to reflect my new married name.

I don't mind at all when people refer to me as Mrs. James; I just grew weary of encounters where people chastised me about it. To this day, I still sometimes get cards in the mail from family members addressed to Danielle James or even Danielle Hayden James, his last name tacked on right after my own. I'm not bothered by the envelopes the way I was annoyed by the finger-wagging voicemails, but I do wonder why my own name is ignored.

I worry about being judged

My last name is really not a big deal in the big picture. Several other cultures don't even engage in this practice. That doesn't make them any less "in love" or any less of a family unit.

After I had my daughter, though, I did think about stereotypes toward Black women — the default assumption of out-of-wedlock births and single motherhood — that would only be encouraged by me keeping my name.

Every time I sign a permission slip, take my doctor to an appointment, or register her for an extracurricular activity, I feel self-conscious. Sometimes, I'll admit, I do write James to avoid judgment. And once, when we rented a car, an employee didn't believe we were married and, therefore, both were permitted to drive, despite our wedding rings and my insistence. But legally, I will remain Hayden, and I am satisfied with this decision over a decade after I said, "I do."

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Citizenship Name Change Process Explained

The United States allows people to lawfully change their names and adopt new names as people tend to change their names for various reasons such as marriage, divorce, or adoption.

Citizenship Name Change While Applying for Citizenship

People applying for U.S. citizenship can change their names as a part of the U.S. naturalization process. When applying for U.S. citizenship if you wish to change your name, you can apply for naturalization and for legal name change together on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

Based on the instructions for Form N-400 you can just check the box beside the question, “Would you like to legally change your name?”, in the second part of the naturalization application.

Many choose to change their names while applying for U.S. citizenship as they need not pay separate fees for U.S. citizenship and to legally change their names.

But this will be possible only if you take the Oath of Allegiance in a court and if the oath is administered by a judge. In this scenario, you need not file a separate application to legally change your name as you can enter your new name in the space that is provided in Form N-400.

However, U.S. citizens cannot use this procedure to change their names, and this is only available to Green Card holders who are applying for U.S. citizenship .

Name Change After Filing Citizenship Application But Before Oath Ceremony

You can apply for a name change even after filing Form N-400 and in this case, you will have to apply for a name change before taking the naturalization oath and you just need to complete and file “Petition for a Change in Name by an Applicant for Citizenship”.

If you file this petition, to legally change your name, you will be issued a naturalization certificate that bears your new name. You can file this petition if you have already filed your naturalization application.

But remember that you can change your name at the time of applying for U.S. citizenship, only if the oath ceremony takes place in a court and if a judge administers the oath as the U.S. district courts are authorized to change the names of the applicants who are applying for U.S. citizenship, while they take the oath. However, you cannot change your name, if you are sworn in by some other official.

If your petition to change your name is approved, your naturalization certificate will bear your new name.

Name Change After Becoming a U.S. Citizen

If you become a U.S. citizen and you need to change your name you can do so by approaching the court. The procedure might vary based on the state you are in but in most cases legally changing your name through the court system is recommended.

Once you have legally changed your name, you can File Form N-565 with the USCIS which is the application to replace your Naturalization or Citizenship certificate with the new name and get an updated copy of your certificate.

Name changes can be done if you are married or divorced or you changed your name through a court order. You should provide the required documents when filing the citizenship certificate replacement application.

You will have to remember a few things while changing your name as you will have to inform your bank, your credit card company, your home country, and other organizations that have your previous name, about your name change and you will also have to change your name in all your other documents.

It is recommended to consult a lawyer before you apply for a name change if you have already filed your citizenship application.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for U.S. Citizenship?

U.s. naturalization process explained, step by step instructions on filling out form n-400, u.s. citizenship is denied: what next, ways to become a u.s. citizen, u.s. citizenship test & interview: everything you need to know, what is a citizenship certificate (updated-2024), replace lost naturalization/citizenship certificate(2024).

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Name and Gender Marker Change

This form may be helpful if you would like to ask the court to change your name or your minor child’s name. There are also forms to change your or your minor child’s gender marker.

What are the qualifications?

For the minor name change forms when parents agree:

• You would like to change the name of your minor child.
• The minor child is not in jail or prison.
• You are the parent or guardian of the minor child.
• The child is less than seventeen (17) years old.
• The other parent has consented, or will consent, to the name change of the child.

For the minor name change forms when parents disagree:

• Consent from the other parent or guardian is not required because a court hearing will be necessary.

For the minor gender marker change forms:

• Child is less than eighteen (18) years old.

For the adult name change forms:

• You would like to change your name.
• You are not in jail or prison.
• You are seventeen (17) years old, or older.
• You are not required to register as a sex or violent offender.
• You are not trying to avoid creditors.

For the adult gender marker change forms:

• You are eighteen (18) years old, or older.

For the adult name and gender marker change forms:

Before Starting

We recommend you set aside 1-2 hours to complete the Forms. Representing yourself in court should not be taken lightly, and there are many reasons why hiring an attorney is a good idea. If you do choose to represent yourself, click here for what you need to know.

Get Started

We’ve provided instructions on how to complete these forms on your own but representing yourself in court should not be taken lightly, and there are many reasons why hiring an attorney is a good idea. In fact, we suggest that even if you use the forms provided on this site that you still talk with an attorney before submitting the forms to a court to get the best result possible.

This Form Helper asks you questions and uses your answers to fill out the forms so you can ask the court to change your name and or your gender marker if you are an adult.

Complete the Name and/or Gender Marker Change Forms by using the Form Helper (*currently down for maintenance) above or printing the appropriate form instructions and forms packet attached at the bottom of the page. The Form Helper will walk you through a series of questions that will automatically fill and complete all forms. If you are printing the forms out to complete, only print the forms and instructions that you would like to file with the court.

Review the resources in this section for information about filing your Name and/or Gender Marker Change Forms with the court.

Once the court approves your court forms, you may need to take more steps. Review the resources in this section for help and information.

Download Forms

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• description Minor Name Change-Parents Disagree Forms download_for_offline
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Representing yourself in court should not be taken lightly, and there are many reasons why hiring an attorney is a good idea. We suggest that even if you use the forms provided on this site that you still talk to an attorney before submitting the forms to a court to get the best result possible. Using the forms and legal information on this site does not make you a client of the Indiana Bar Foundation (Foundation) nor does the Foundation accept responsibility or liability for action taken by users of this information. Communication with Indiana Legal Help or the Foundation is not protected by attorney client privilege or the work product doctrine—that means information shared with Indiana Legal Help or the Foundation may be admissible in court.