Surname changes are common after marriage or divorce. In addition to following the name change process defined by the laws in your state, you must also make agencies such as the Social Security Administration and Department of Motor Vehicles aware of this change. Although many states charge a filing fee to change your name, in the case of a marriage or divorce, many provide a small window where they will waive the filing fee.
Step 1
Get information on name change laws in your state. You can get this information from an online source such as your state's official website, your local courthouse, or your attorney. Ask for the required forms when you apply for your marriage license, consult your attorney or contact the clerk's office at your local courthouse to get information and forms. If you are getting divorced, find out if your state includes a surname change as part of the final divorce decree. If this is the case, you will not have to file any papers with the court.
Step 2
Get two to three certified copies of your marriage certificate or divorce decree. You may have to wait for a week or more for the court to record and file the certificate or decree. Expect to pay a fee to obtain these documents.
Step 3
Fill out and file name change forms at your local courthouse. Pay the required fee, if any.
Step 4
Get a new Social Security card. Fill out and submit a name change form SS-5, along with one copy of your certified marriage certificate or divorce decree to your local Social Security office. Your new card will arrive via postal mail. There is no charge for a new Social Security card.
Step 5
Get a new drivers license or identification card. Wait for your new social security to arrive and then take your current license or ID card, social security card and a certified copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree to your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Fill out a request for a new drivers license and pay the required fee.
Step 6
Inform other agencies of your name change. Contact your employer, bank, credit card companies, loan companies and insurance companies and inform them of your name change. Your bank may require you to complete this in person and provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree. Other agencies may allow you to do this over the telephone or by filling out an online form.
Tips and Warnings
- The Social Security office takes care of informing the Internal Revenue Service of your name change. According to BankRate.com, you do not need to submit a name change form to credit reporting agencies such as TransUnion, Equifax or Experian. Your creditors will update this information and it should appear on your credit report within a few months. However, you may want to wait three months or so and then get a copy of your credit report to verify your information is correct.
Things You'll Need
- Name change forms
- Certified copies of marriage certificate/divorce decree
- Social security SS-5
- Driver license or identification card, current
