It’s not always as black and white as my surname or his surname. You have a few more options.

Religious or government certificates are both accepted when changing names. We explain how order your marriage certificate and request extra copies.

You can still change names if married abroad. While not everyone accepts a foreign marriage certificate, there is usually a way around it.  

If you have the legal right to permanently reside in the USA you can change names here too.

There's different forms to use depending when your passport was issued. Follow the links to download the form you need.

The SSA allows you to revert to your prior name after divorce. If you don't have an order restoring your former name you can request a name correction with the SSA instead. 

Make sure you ask for an order to restore your former name as part of your divorce proceedings then start changing names everywhere. Update SSA first, then the DMV, then everywhere else.

Unlike marriage name change reverting to your former name without being divorced can be complicated.

You can be known by any name, but to get identification and records changed you need a court order.

Legal name change orders are managed at a state level. Turnaround times and filing fees vary significantly.

Once you have a court document you must then contact all the necessary companies to get your accounts and identification updated.

You can change names online once logged in. A change from marriage, divorce or legally will require a proof document to be uploaded.

IRS don’t need to be notified of name changes as records are pulled from the SSA. However there are some other considerations.

There’s a number of different forms, so be sure to complete the correct one based on your name change situation.

The experience of changing names in your home country while residing abroad will be different for everyone as it depends on the policy from each of your organizations.