How to Change Your Last Name

Marriage, adoption and even going to court to change your name to one you like more are all simple-sounding ideas. Whatever the reason you have for changing your last name, you must take a few legal steps to make it work.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Choose your new name and attend the ceremony or court meeting that will change your last name. Official documents pertaining to the name change will arrive at your home in a few weeks.
2. Receive and save the official documents. Copy the paperwork you received at the official proceeding where you changed your name. The marriage license, divorce papers, adoption papers and other legal documents are invaluable.
3. Make a list of the documents, people and businesses that need to know and have record of your current last name. This will include your company's HR office, driver's license, passport and banking institutions, as well as the Social Security Administration.
4. Use official name-change forms from each of these entities. It is not legal to them unless it shows up on their form. In addition, your name stays the same until you take care of this little step.

Tips & Warnings

• If applying for any tickets or credit for which you will need to identify yourself, use the name that matches your driver's license.
• The name change at the Social Security Administration is the most important. Do this before anything else.