How to do your Name Change
How to change your name after you get Married
You must get a certified copy of your marriage from the county.
Then FIRST go to the Social Security office THEN to the DMV.
Social Security
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, tell Social Security so that you can get a corrected card. If you are working, also tell your employer. If you do not tell us when your name changes, it may:
Delay your tax refund; and
Prevent your wages from being posted correctly to your Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your future Social Security benefits.
To change your name on your Social Security card:
Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5);
Show us proof of your:
U.S. citizenship (if you have not previously established your citizenship with us) or immigration status;
Legal name change; and
Identity.
Take (or mail) your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office.
All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
Documents for a name change: If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change. Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:
Marriage document;
Divorce decree;
Certificate of Naturalization showing a new name; or
Court order for a name change.
If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records or if you legally changed your name more than two years ago, you must provide Social Security with additional documentation.
Marriage, divorce or annulment: In addition to showing us a legal document proving your marriage, divorce or annulment, you must provide an identity document. That document must show your old name, as well as other identifying information or a recent photograph. (We can accept an expired document as evidence of your old name.)
DMV
How to change your name on your driver license and/or identification (ID) card
To apply for a name change you will need to:
· Visit a DMV office (make an appointment for faster service)
· Complete application form DL 44 with your new information. (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.)
· Give a thumb print
· Have your picture taken
· Pay the application fee (No fee for a senior citizen ID card)
Acceptable evidence of your new name may be provided by showing an original or certified copy of a Birth Date/Legal Presence document or a true full name document.
Please contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to change your name on SSA records, if you have not already done so. DMV electronically verifies your name, birth date and social security number with the SSA.
If your information does not verify, you will not receive your new California driver license or identification card. You will receive a Request for Verification of Information letter from DMV informing you that the information you provided (name, birth date, and/or SSN) does not match SSA's records.
You will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days and/or a receipt for your ID card until you receive your new photo license and/or photo ID card in the mail. Check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if your address is incorrect. Your new license and/or ID card will be mailed to you within 60 days. If you do not receive your license and/or ID card after 60 days, call 1 (800) 777-0133 to check on the status. Have your interim license and/or ID card receipt with you to provide information when requested.
Note: A name change on your driver license or identification card will not change your vehicle registration information.
To change or correct your name on your vehicle/vessel's DMV record you must:
· Submit your Certificate of Title with your correct name printed or typed in the "New Registered Owner" section.
· Complete the Name Statement on a Statements of Facts (REG 256) indicating the reason for the change and sign the bottom of the form.