How to Legally Change Your Name With the Government

There are many reasons why a person in the United States may wish to change their name. Some of the more common reasons for changing a person's last name may include marriage, divorce and adoption. Some people simply do not like their birth name given by their parents and would like to change it. Certain name change scenarios such as divorce, adoption and wanting to change it to one of your liking require a local court hearing. You must also inform the federal government of your name change for social security and tax purposes.

Things You'll Need

• Court hearing to request the name change
• Social security form SS-5
• Old driver's license
• Passport or birth certificate
• Court documents reflecting name change or divorce decree

Instructions

1. Call your local court system and ask them about their particular process with regard to changing your name. Alternatively, contact an attorney and have him petition the court on your behalf and set up a hearing. Be prepared to pay for attorney costs and/or court filing fees in order to have your name legally changed.

2. Take the court documents to your local Social Security Administration office and ask for the SS-5 form. Fill out the form, turn it in to the Social Security Administration, and present them with your driver's license/identification card, passport/birth certificate as well as any other document that reflects your old name for verification purposes. You will receive an updated Social Security card through the mail within a couple weeks of submitting the SS-5 form.

3. Travel to your local driver's license branch and obtain a new ID or driver's license reflecting your name change. Call the license branch ahead of time to find out all the documents you will need to bring in order for them to verify your identity and issue you a updated driver's license/ID card. Inform your place of employment, banking institution, health care provider and any other business you associate with of your name change.

Tips & Warnings

• Federal employees will need to inform the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in addition to the Social Security office and the local department of motor vehicles.

• The Internal Revenue Service updates their records from the Social Security Administration every ten days. If you do not inform Social Security of your name change, you will have trouble when it is time to file your income taxes due to the mismatched name and social security number on record.

References

• USA: Changing Your Name
• Social Security Administration: Corrected Card for a U.S. Born Adult