Every name change guide on Name Change Plan
Marriage, divorce, court · special situations · the process · kits and services · all 50 states + DC via the state guides
Federal steps and tools
Social Security (SS-5)free · always first
PassportDS-5504 / DS-82 / DS-11
Maiden name after divorcethe decree clause
Divorce name change by statewhere the decree copies come from
Cost by statemarriage vs divorce vs court
How many times?no limit, one catch
Honeymoon risk checkerwhich name to book in
REAL ID document chainwhat to bring to the DMV
Embed the plan builderfree widget for your site
Marriage: special situations
Hyphenating Your Last Name After MarriageHyphenating your last name after marriage: which states let the marriage certificate do it…Husband Taking His Wife's Last NameA husband taking his wife's last name: legally identical to the reverse in every state, wh…Taking a New Shared Surname After MarriageBoth spouses taking a brand-new shared surname: which states allow it on the marriage lice…Changing Your First or Middle Name When You MarryChanging a first or middle name at marriage: the certificate covers surnames only (and in …Name Change After Marriage for Green Card Holders and Non-CitizensGreen card holders and non-citizens changing their name after marriage: Social Security's …Name Change After Marriage While Living AbroadU.S. citizens abroad changing their name after marriage: Social Security through the embas…Changing Your Name in the U.S. After Marrying AbroadMarried outside the U.S. and changing your name: what Social Security, the DMV and the pas…Name Change After Marriage for Military SpousesMilitary spouse name change: Social Security first, then DEERS and a new dependent ID at a…Keeping Your Maiden Name Professionally After a Legal Name ChangeUsing your maiden name at work while legally taking your spouse's name: what a professiona…Changing Your Name When You RemarryChanging your name when you remarry: the new marriage certificate works directly, you don'…Name Change After Marriage for Seniors and RetireesChanging your name after marriage when you're retired: Social Security benefits and Medica…
After divorce
Keeping Your Married Name After DivorceKeeping your married name after divorce: it's your right in every state, your ex can't obj…Choosing a New Name After DivorceTaking a brand-new name after divorce: the decree usually only restores a former name, so …Social Security Name Change After DivorceChanging your name with Social Security after divorce: Form SS-5, the decree with a restor…
The process
The Certified Marriage Certificate: What Every Agency Actually WantsWhat a certified marriage certificate is (and isn't) for a name change, who issues it in e…Is It Too Late to Change Your Name After Marriage?There is no deadline to change your name after marriage in any state: a marriage certifica…DMV Name Change After Marriage: What to Bring, Every State's Fee and DeadlineChanging your name at the DMV after marriage: the Social Security prerequisite, what to br…Do You Need a Lawyer to Change Your Name?When a name change needs a lawyer and when it doesn't: marriage and divorce never do, cour…Documents Needed for a Name Change, Agency by AgencyExactly what to bring to Social Security, the DMV, the passport agency, your employer and …How Long Does a Name Change Take?How long a name change takes after marriage or divorce: certified copies, Social Security,…How to Change Your Name in the United StatesHow to change your name in the U.S.: by marriage certificate, by divorce decree, or by cou…REAL ID and Your Name Change After MarriageUpdating a REAL ID after marriage: the document chain the DMV needs from birth name to mar…
Kits and services
What Is a Name Change Kit?What a name change kit contains, who sells them and for how much (NewlyNamed, HitchSwitch,…Name Change Kit vs Doing It YourselfName change kit or do it yourself? What the kits actually save, what they can't do, real p…Best Name Change Services After Marriage: An Honest ComparisonThe best name change services after marriage compared: NewlyNamed, HitchSwitch, Easy Name …