A legal name change is making a new name your official (legal) name.
People change their name for many reasons. Some common ones:
- They get married or divorced.
- They want a name that fits who they are.
- They want a different simpler name or a new spelling.
- They need to correct an error on their birth certificate.
Changing your legal name has two main steps:
- Get official proof of your name change. The document you need depends on how you change your name.
- Update your name everywhere. Use this proof to change the name on your ID and records, one by one.
You can change your legal name when you get married or divorced, or via court order.
Helpful Notes
- There is a recommended order for updating your name on ID documents and records.
- Following this order will make the process as easy as possible. See the “Updating Key Documents” section of this guide for more information.
- You do not (and cannot!) fix everything at once.
- It is okay if some IDs still have your old name while you work on updating them. Your name-change documents prove both names belong to you.
For information only. Not legal advice.
