How to Add a Second Surname

It is easiest to add a second surname right after you get married.

You need one of two legal documents to change your surname -- a marriage certificate or a decree from a court. In California, the decree is called a "Decree Changing Name." Because civil courts in most localities are crowded and slow, the fastest way to add a second surname is with a marriage certificate. In all locations in the United States, you may apply to add your spouse's surname to yours up to two years after you marry. If it has been more than two years or if you want to change your name and you are not legally married, or if the second surname you want to add is different from your spouse's, you must apply for a court decree.

Things You'll Need

• State form: Petition for Change of Name
• State form: Attachment to Petition for Change of Name
• State form: Order to Show Cause for Change of Name
• State form: Civil Case Cover Sheet
• State form: Decree Changing Name
• Marriage certificate (in most cases)
• Social Security form SS-5: Application For a Social Security Card
• Driver's license or other proof of identity

Instructions

1. Visit the superior court of the county where you reside in California, if you are not adding the name of a spouse whom you married in the last two years.

2. Obtain a Petition for Change of Name, Form NC-100; Attachment to Petition, Form NC-110; Order to Show Cause for Change of Name, Form NC-120; Civil Case Cover Sheet, Form CSM-010; and Decree Changing Name, Form NC-130.

3. Fill out all five forms, make two copies of each and file them with the Clerk of the Superior Court of the county where you live. Filing fees will vary from county to county.

4. Complete additional forms as required by your county, including a Criminal Background Information Form. The Order to Show Cause for Change of Date will ask for a court date, so while you are there make sure the court date is available. The court date should be at least six weeks after you file.

5. Publish the Order to Show Cause as a classified ad in a newspaper of general circulation one day per week for four consecutive weeks before the scheduled court date. If no written objections are sent to the court two weeks before your court date, the judge may grant the name change without a hearing.

6. Obtain a certified copy of the Decree Changing Name from the Clerk of the Court after the judge signs the decree.

7. Carry either the decree or a marriage certificate to any Social Security office and complete Form SS-5, Application For a Social Security Card. Use this form to change the name on your account. Additional proof of identity, such as a driver's license or a passport, will be required.

8. Take your new Social Security card, when you get it, to the Department of Motor Vehicles and apply for a new driver's license with your new name. In California, your new license may take up to two months to arrive.

9. Use your new license to update your bank account and credit information and all other forms of identification you use.

Tips & Warnings

• The procedure in other states will be similar, but the titles of the forms will vary.

References

• "Forms for Use in Name Change and/or Gender Change Cases"; California Courts Self-Help Center
• "Instructions For Filing A Petition For Name Change"; California Courts Self-Help Center
• "How Much Does It Cost to Change My Name and/or Gender?"; California Courts Self-Help Center
• "Driver License and Identification (ID) Card Information"; California Department of Motor Vehicles
• "Application for a Social Security Card"; Social Security Administration