When you apply for an ID, your documents need to match your legal name.
If it has changed, you must provide proof that your old name and your new name belong to the same person.
Original or certified copies are required!
The specific documents you need depend on how you changed your name:
Marriage or Divorce Records
You can use a marriage certificate and/or a divorce certificate (called a decree in some states) if that is how you changed your name.
Learn how to request marriage or divorce records
Updated Birth Certificate
An updated (“amended”) birth certificate provides a consistent, official record of your new name.
Updating your birth certificate to reflect a legal name change may be required in some states. When your name matches across all your records, your DMV visit is more likely to go smoothly.
Here’s how to amend your birth certificate
Name-Change Court Order
You may also be able to use an official copy of your court order as proof of a legal name change.
Find more info in VoteRiders’ guide for changing your legal name
For information only. Not legal advice.
