How do i get my name changed

If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you must tell Social Security so you can get a corrected card. You cannot apply for a corrected card online. The same applies once you receive the I-766 card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). See Defining the legal Name for an SSN.

To get a corrected Social Security card, you will need to:

• Show the required documents. You will need proof of your identity. Sometimes you also may need to prove your current U.S. citizenship or lawful noncitizen status. See Learn What Documents You Need for more information. Under the heading, “Type of Card,” select “Corrected” for a list of the documents you need.

Note: If you are a U.S. Citizen, applying for a replacement SSN card, and choose to mail your application to your local office, you may use original or certified copies of secondary proofs of identity such as:

• A marriage document showing your name and either date of birth or age (only when submitted to support the application for a name change)
• A U.S. government employee identification card.
• A non-government employee identity card/badge card showing your name and either a photograph or your date of birth.
• A health insurance card or U.S. Medicaid card showing your name and one of the following:
  • Date of birth.
  • A photograph.
• A school identity card
• A school record or transcript (for the current school year) showing your name and one of the following:
  • Date of birth.
  • A photograph.
• A life insurance policy showing your name and age or date of birth.

• Note: U.S. Citizens applying for a replacement SSN card are not required to submit original primary evidence (e.g. driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport), for mailed applications.

• Fill out and print an Application for a Social Security Card.
• Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to find out your submission options.

For complete instructions, please go to our Social Security Number and Card page. 
For more information, read our pamphlet, Your Social Security Number and Card.

Other Questions You May Find Helpful

• How can I change my address?
• How long will it take to receive a Social Security card?

Legally change your name by submitting a petition to a Superior Court.

To legally change your name, you must submit a petition to your local Superior Court.  When you request to change your name, you are required to publicize your petition and wait at least 30 days before a hearing. After the court approves your name change request, you should update your name on government identification and other documents.

If you filed for a name change when you applied for your marriage license in order to take the name of your spouse, your marriage certificate from your county’s probate court is your legal name change document. You do not need to apply again for a name change through the county’s Superior Court.

• Have a question about Name or Gender Change? 

  
  Look for a “Chat Now” button in the right bottom corner of your screen. If you don’t see it, disable any pop-up/ad blockers on your browser.

You can legally change your name by filing papers in court. If a judge agrees, they will give you a court order that states your new legal name. You need this order to change your name on identity documents, like your driver’s license, passport, or social security card. 

Basic steps to change a name

To start the process, you file forms with the court

You pay a $435-$450 filing fee. If you can’t afford the fee, you can ask the court to waive it. The clerk will give you a date when a judge will make a decision.

A judge will make a decision in about 2 to 3 months, after you complete a few more steps.

Before a judge can decide, you must have the forms published in a newspaper for one month. This means that the request shows up in a legal notice section of a paper. There’s a fee to publish in a newspaper.

You use a similar process to change your name to match to your gender identity or to get a court order recognizing your gender (recognizing a change of gender). But, in these cases, you do not publish your request in a paper. 

If you’re asking to change your child’s name, your child's other parent may need to get a copy of your request. This is called serving court papers.

After you get the court order, you will use it to have your identity documents updated.

Consider other ways to change a name

There are other ways to change your name if it is related to marriage, divorce, or becoming a U.S. citizen.

• How to change your name through marriage license application process.
• How to change your name as part of your divorce case. You can do this even if you were divorced years ago.
• How to change your name as part of the naturalization process. 

A name change will not change who a child's legal parent is. 

If you want to be added to a child's birth certificate or be legally recognized as their parent, changing their name will not do it. You may need to start a different type of case. This is called establishing parentage. You can ask to change a child's name in this process.

To correct a clerical error on a legal identity document, contact the agency that issues legal identity documents. 

How much does it cost the change your name?

How difficult is it to change your name?

What is the first thing to do to change your name?

How much is it to change your name in Florida?