Name Change Checklist

No matter what your reason for changing names, it's up to you to notify the various organizations of your new name and the process is the same for everyone.

• Always start with the Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Workplace (401k, insurance policies, email, internal directories, business cards)
• State driver's license (car title & registration at the same time)
• Bank accounts (checkings, savings, term deposits)
• Credit cards
• Passport
• Voter registration
• Insurance (home, car, health)
• Communications (phone, TV, internet)
• Loans (mortgage, car, personal loans)
• Utilities (power, gas, water)
• Memberships (frequent flyers, hotel rewards, shopping and store cards)
• Medical (doctors, dentists)
• Professional associations
• Alumni (High school, university)
• Online (PayPal, Facebook, Ebay, LinkedIn)
• Other (voicemail, road toll accounts, subscriptions, charities, church)

Customize your checklist

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CUSTOMIZE YOUR CHECKLIST

Tips:

• It's always a good idea to update your will when changing names, especially if recently married or divorced.
• Request 2-3 original copies (also called certified copies) of your marriage certificate, divorce order or legal name change order. After changing names you can keep one of the extra copies with a friend or relative for safekeeping.
• Aim to get all your records updated within a week or two. Name changes that are dragged out for months become very frustrating and you may have difficulties proving your identity
• Get all your notifications prepared at once. If you need multiple documents notarized it's easier to do it all at once and get one or two extra copies.