The complete name-change checklist
Update the government first and in order — Social Security → driver's license / REAL ID → passport — then your bank, employer, insurance, and everyday accounts. Social Security goes first because the DMV checks your name against its records. The rest can be done in any order once your ID matches your new name.
This is the full who-to-update list, in the order that keeps anything from being rejected. It's the same list whether you're changing your name after marriage or after a divorce — only the document you start with differs. Want it personalized to your accounts? The free generator builds your list and the notify letters.
Government — do these in order, first
These gate each other, so the order matters. Social Security goes first; the DMV checks your name against its records.
- Social Security card (free — do this first)
- Driver's license / REAL ID at your state DMV
- U.S. passport (free within 1 year of issuance via Form DS-5504)
- Voter registration
Money & work
Once your ID matches your new name, these are quick. They don't gate each other.
- Bank and credit-union accounts
- Credit cards
- Employer / payroll and HR
- Retirement and investment accounts
- Tax records (the IRS uses your Social Security record)
Insurance & health
Update these so claims and coverage match your new name.
- Health insurance
- Auto and home / renters insurance
- Life insurance and beneficiaries
- Doctor, dentist, and pharmacy records
Everyday accounts
The long tail — easy to miss, easy to do whenever.
- Utilities and phone / internet
- Mortgage or landlord / lease
- Vehicle title and registration
- Professional licenses and memberships
- Subscriptions, loyalty programs, and email/online accounts
Get your personalized checklist
The free checklist generator turns this into your list — only the accounts you actually have — and drafts the notify letters so you're not re-explaining the change to a dozen companies.
Open the free checklist generator →See your exact steps free
Answer a few quick questions and we'll tell you what to do first, second, and third for your exact situation — each step linked to the real .gov page. No account, no card.
Frequently asked questions
- Who do I need to notify when I change my name?
- Start with the government in order — Social Security, then your DMV / REAL ID, then your passport — then update your bank, credit cards, employer, insurance, and everyday accounts. Social Security comes first because the DMV verifies your name against its records.
- What's the right order for a name-change checklist?
- Government first and in sequence: Social Security, then driver's license / REAL ID, then passport. After that, your bank, employer, insurance, and the rest can be done in any order, because they don't depend on each other.
- Do I need to change my name on everything?
- Update anything tied to your legal identity or money — Social Security, your ID, passport, bank, employer, insurance, and tax records. Smaller accounts (subscriptions, loyalty programs) are optional, but matching them avoids confusion later.
- Is this checklist the same after marriage and after divorce?
- Yes — the list of who to update is the same. The only thing that differs by reason is the document you start with: a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order. Pick your reason for the exact, .gov-verified steps.
Not legal advice · Not a government service · Not affiliated with any government agency.