Change Your Last Name
Getting Started!
The first step begins with you. Once you're ready to change your last name, you'll need to begin using your new last name in both your personal and professional life. Next, comes the hard part -- officially changing your last name on all of your personal and professional records and identification cards.
It's best to change your last name first with the Social Security Administration and then with the Department of Motor Vehicles, as these are often the most recognized and accepted forms of identification. But the battle doesn't end there! You'll still need to change your last name with your Credit Card Companies . . . Financial Institutions . . . Utility Providers . . . Employer . . . Insurance/Healthcare Providers . . . and countless other governmental agencies and private organizations and clubs.
Sound overwhelming? Don't worry, we have simplified the process of changing your last name. By clicking on the appropriate hyperlink below you will be given explicit instructions on how to change your last name with each agency or organization and follow-up procedures to ensure that your last name is properly changed. We have also included online all of the documentation that you will need in order to change your last name:
Social Security Administration (social security number)
· Passport Office (passport)
· Department of Motor Vehicles (driver’s license and vehicle title and registration)
· Credit Card Companies (credit and charge cards)
· Financial Institutions (banking records, lenders, investments/retirement plans)
· Utility Providers (gas, telephone, electric, etc.)
· Insurance Companies (health, medical, life and property)
· Employer (employer/employee records)
· Healthcare Providers (doctors and dentist offices)
· Professional Organizations (professional licenses and membership organizations)
· Clubs (social and membership)
· Subscription Organizations (magazines, newspapers and periodicals)
· Professional Advisors (lawyers, accountants and investment advisors)
· Internal Revenue Service
· State Taxing Authorities
· Post Office
· Voter Registration
· Public Assistance Office (welfare and other agencies rendering aid)
· Veterans Administration
· Schools (colleges, universities, high school, primary school and others)
· Miscellaneous (friends, family, etc.)So let's get started today by clicking on the Order Here button below! If you have already ordered our name change kit, just click on the appropriate hyperlink above and enter your password to get started with your name change.
Before you begin to change your last name you will need to get certified copies of your marriage license or divorce decree. Please make sure that the certified copies of your marriage license or divorce decree contain the date and place of birth for both you and your spouse. Most governmental agencies are now required to verify this information due to a recent change in the law.
You will need to get 8-10 certified copies of your marriage license or divorce decree before you can start the process of changing your last name, as you will need these documents as evidence of your legal name change.
A certified copy is one that is issued, signed and certified as a true copy of the original document by the person who is customarily charged with safekeeping the original document; generally the clerk of the court. A copy is "certified" by imprinting a seal or other official notification on the face of the document.
If you did not get certified copies of your marriage license or divorce decree at the time of filing, you will need to contact the clerk of the county where your marriage license or divorce decree was recorded.
Once you obtain certified copies of your marriage license or divorce decree, you should make photocopies of the same for your records. Some organizations may accept a photocopy of the certified copy of your marriage license or divorce decree as proof of your legal name change, while others may insist on an original as proof of your legal name change.
