What documents do you need to change your name?
The one rule that trips people up: agencies need an original or a copy certified by the issuing agency — a plain photocopy or a notarized copy is not accepted. Your certified marriage certificate (or a divorce decree that restores your former name) is your name-change document; you also bring proof of identity, and at the DMV, documents that trace your name and prove your address and lawful status for a REAL ID.
Why a certified copy, not a photocopy?
This is the most common reason people get turned away. In SSA's own words, every document must be “either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency; photocopies or notarized copies cannot be accepted.” The passport office requires an original or certified copy as well. A certified copy comes from the county or state office that recorded your marriage or divorce — it carries an official seal. The copy you printed at home or had notarized won't clear the counter.
Your marriage certificate or divorce decree IS the name-change document
For a marriage name change, you don't need a separate court order. Your certified marriage certificate is the legal basis every agency accepts. For a divorce, a decree that restores your former name does the same job. If your decree didn't restore your name, that's a different path — you may need to petition your county or circuit court.
What each agency asks to see
- Social Security: proof of identity (driver's license, state ID, or U.S. passport), your name-change document (certified marriage certificate or divorce decree), and — if SSA doesn't already have it — proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful noncitizen status. All originals or issuing-agency-certified copies.
- DMV / REAL ID: proof of your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of address, and lawful status — plus a name-traceability document (your marriage certificate) connecting your old name to your new one. States may add requirements; check your state DMV page.
- Passport: your most recent U.S. passport, an original or certified name-change document, the right form (DS-5504 within 1 year of issuance, otherwise DS-82 or DS-11), and one passport photo for a DS-5504.
The REAL ID name-traceability chain
For a REAL ID, DHS asks you to show “name traceability” — a clear link between the name on your source document and the name you want on the card. Your marriage certificate is the link between your old name and your new one. If you've changed your name more than once, you may need a document for each step in the chain so the line from birth name to current name is unbroken. Each state decides which documents it accepts.
Official sources
Every step is backed by an official government page — confirm the current rules on the source before you act.
- https://www.ssa.gov/life-events/change-name
- https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-01981.html
- https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm
- https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
- https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10513.pdf
- https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/renew-replace/change-correct-passport.html
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/change-correct.html
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew.html
- https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/forms.html
- https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions
- https://www.tsa.gov/realid/realid-faqs
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
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Frequently asked questions
- What documents do I need to change my name?
- Three things: your name-change document (a certified marriage certificate, or a divorce decree that restores your former name), proof of your identity (a driver's license, state ID, or passport), and — at the DMV for a REAL ID — documents that trace your name and prove your address and lawful status. Everything must be an original or a copy certified by the issuing agency.
- Can I use a photocopy of my marriage certificate?
- No. SSA states plainly that all documents must be originals or copies certified by the issuing agency — photocopies and notarized copies cannot be accepted. The passport office requires an original or certified copy too. Order certified copies from the office that recorded your marriage or divorce.
- Is my marriage certificate or divorce decree the name-change document?
- Yes. After marriage, your certified marriage certificate is your legal proof of the name change. After divorce, a divorce decree that restores your former name is the document. You don't need a separate court order for a marriage or divorce name change — the certificate or decree is what agencies accept.
- How many certified copies should I order?
- Order several at once. You'll likely need a certified copy for Social Security, possibly for the DMV, and for your passport — and agencies don't always return them quickly. Ordering a few up front saves a second trip to vital records.
- What documents does the DMV need for a REAL ID name change?
- DHS requires proof of your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of address, and lawful status — plus a name-traceability document (typically your marriage certificate) if your current name differs from your source document. States can add requirements, so check your state DMV page before you go.
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