7 Key Things to Understand Before Legally Changing Your Name

People opt to change their first, middle, or last names for various reasons: significant life events—such as marriage, divorce, or gender reassignment—can spark the desire for a name change, or individuals may simply dislike the name they were given at birth.

“The most important thing to remember about a name change is that it’s a process, not a one-step task,” said Anna Phipps, former VP of experience at HitchSwitch, a service designed to assist newlyweds with name changes, in an interview with Mytour in 2016. She noted that securing official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-granted petition enables a name change, but it won’t make it official until further steps are taken. “Your new name won't be legally recognized until you’ve filed the necessary forms with the Social Security Administration, DMV, and others,” she explained.

If you’re thinking about changing your name legally, here are seven important facts to consider.

1. You can choose any name you like—within certain limitations.

If you’re dissatisfied with your birth name, you can legally change it to whatever you choose... with a few limitations. You cannot adopt the name of a celebrity (as this might be seen as intentionally deceptive), a trademarked term, a numeral (such as 4 or 8), a punctuation mark (like ? or !), or something offensive or inappropriate. Additionally, you cannot change your name to commit fraud, evade law enforcement, or escape paying your debts.

Jo-Anne Stayner from I’m a Mrs. Name Change Service advises those changing their name to ensure they are completely certain about the spelling and format of their new name. “It may seem obvious, but we receive numerous inquiries every year from people seeking a legal name change due to a misspelling,” she shared with Mytour in 2016.

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

In most states, individuals can legally take their new spouse’s surname, hyphenate their last names, or create a combination of both surnames (like when actors Alexa Vega and Carlos Pena got married in 2014 and combined their last names into PenaVega).

If you decide to change your last name upon marriage, a court order is not necessary. Simply write your new last name on your marriage license and present your marriage certificate (not the license) to institutions such as the DMV, your bank, and the Social Security Administration as verification of your new surname.

If you get divorced and wish to revert to your maiden name, you can typically have the judge handle it during the divorce process. The change should be reflected in your decree of dissolution (also known as the divorce decree), and then you can resume using your maiden name.

3. No need to hire an attorney …

While the idea of going to court or completing legal forms may seem intimidating, you don’t need to hire a lawyer to change your name.

Filling out a petition to change your name can be relatively simple. However, if you find the process overwhelming, you might want to consider professional assistance. Services like LegalZoom offer packages that streamline the process by providing the necessary paperwork for your state.

Services like I’m a Mrs. and HitchSwitch can also make the name change process easier by compiling all the forms and instructions you’ll need in one place. “We save our clients time by auto-filling forms, drafting emails, and offering specific guidance on how to submit name changes to various organizations,” Stayner shared.

4. ... But be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars.

In most states, there’s a fee (typically ranging from $150 to $200) to file your name change petition with the court. You’ll also have to pay a small fee for notarizing documents. Additionally, if you're getting married, you may want to purchase extra certified copies of your marriage certificate to serve as proof of your new surname.

5. Let everyone know about your new name …

You’ll need to notify government agencies, businesses, family, and friends about your name change. Start by informing the Social Security Administration, then update the IRS and DMV—you might need to get a new driver’s license. Don’t forget to notify banks, credit card companies, utility providers, and any mortgage or loan agencies. Also, make sure to update any identification documents, such as your passport.

Other tasks to take care of? Order new checks, inform the post office, and update your medical records and insurance. If you have legal documents such as a will or trust, consider updating them as well.

6. … But don’t rush into it.

While it’s crucial to notify others of your new name, acting too soon could cause complications. “It’s best to wait until you have your official paperwork (court documents, marriage certificate, divorce decree) in hand before starting to change your name across the board—you’ll save a lot of time this way,” Stayner advised.

Waiting can also help you protect your good credit—you don’t want to lose the credit history you’ve built under your previous name. Furthermore, updating your name with the passport office can take several weeks, so if you’re planning an international honeymoon, it’s a good idea to use your maiden name (the one on your passport) when booking flights.

Lastly, transgender individuals undergoing gender-affirming care should be cautious when updating their names with health insurance companies to avoid confusion and ensure their coverage remains intact.

7. State regulations differ, so make sure to research your options.

Not all states require you to file a name change in court, but some do. For instance, in California, you can technically adopt a new name and begin using it under the state’s usage method. However, in practice, you may still need a court order as proof of your name change for organizations like banks, the SSA, or the DMV, which are cautious about identity theft. Some states may even require you to announce your new name by publishing it in a newspaper. Regardless of where you live, it’s important to research your state’s requirements (starting with your state government’s website) to ensure you follow the correct process.