Legal name change
Have questions? Call (866) 766-5504 for a free discovery call.
Get dedicated attorney support to prepare your legal name change documents for an affordable flat fee.
Our law firm LZ Legal Services co-counsels with experienced local attorneys to guide you through the process and draft the name change legal documents for you to file in court.
Save time with one convenient place to find experienced attorneys, track document progress, and get the dedicated legal support you deserve.
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Work with a dedicated legal team
Our law firm LZ Legal Services co-counsels with local attorneys who are experienced in your legal issues to provide dedicated legal services. Easily schedule calls and track progress through your LegalZoom account.
Your dedicated attorney will review your information then upload a customized document or recommendations to your account so you can download and sign or notarize, if necessary, to make it official.
Have questions? Call (866) 766-5504 for a free discovery call.
Gather your documentation:
You'll need to gather the necessary documents, such as your marriage license, divorce decree, and birth certificate, to facilitate your legal name change.
Complete court forms:
The attorney will complete the required court forms for your name change.
Court filing and publication instructions:
You will receive detailed instructions on how to file your name change petition with the court clerk and any publication requirements.
Additional consultation:
If necessary, an additional consultation with the assigned attorney is available to address any questions or concerns.
Once your name change is legally approved, several documents need to be updated with your new name. Below is a list of some of the documents you’ll need to make sure get updated.
Government identification
Your government-issued IDs are the most critical documents to update first to reflect your new name legally. This ensures all your current passport and future legal and personal documents match:
Social Security card (should be done first):
Update your Social Security card with the Social Security Administration to ensure your records are accurate.
Driver’s license / new driver’s license:
Visit your local DMV to update your driver's license to reflect your new name.
State or federal ID:
Ensure all forms of identification are consistent.
Passport / new passport:
Update your passport to match your new name for international travel.
Other government agencies:
Notify agencies like the U.S. Postal Service and any local entities needing to update their records.
Legal documents
Updating your legal documents ensures that all other documents and official records are consistent with your new name, preventing future legal complications:
Marriage certificates:
Update your name on your marriage certificate if you’ve recently married.
Divorce decrees:
Reflect your new name if your name change is due to a divorce.
Birth certificate (only in certain situations, such as adoption):
Update your birth certificate if applicable.
Financial accounts
Ensure your financial identity is consistent across all banking and investment platforms to avoid access issues and discrepancies:
Bank accounts:
Notify your bank to update your name on all accounts.
Credit cards:
Contact your credit card companies to update your name.
Investment portfolios:
Update your name on all investment accounts to avoid future discrepancies.
Mortgages:
Ensure your mortgage records reflect your new name.
Loans:
Notify all lenders of your name change.
Work records
Keeping your employment records up-to-date is crucial for payroll, benefits, and professional communication:
Employee benefits:
Update your benefits to ensure there are no interruptions.
Payroll information:
Ensure your payroll reflects your new name for accurate payments.
Work emails:
Update your work email to reflect your new name.
Retirement accounts:
Ensure your retirement accounts are updated.
Tax information
Updating your tax information prevents issues with filing taxes and ensures your records with the IRS are accurate:
IRS records:
Update your records with the IRS to reflect your new name.
Accountant and tax preparer records:
Notify your accountant or tax preparer of your name change.
Deeds and titles
Updating property-related documents helps maintain accurate ownership records and prevent legal issues related to your assets:
Vehicle titles and registration:
Update your vehicle titles to reflect your new name.
Property deeds:
Ensure property deeds reflect your new name.
Online accounts
Make sure all your online profiles reflect your new name to maintain professional and personal consistency:
Emails:
Update all email accounts to reflect your new name.
Social media accounts:
Update your social media profiles to reflect your new name.
Professional networking profiles:
Ensure your LinkedIn and other professional profiles are updated.
Work portfolios:
Update your work portfolios to reflect your new name.
Estate plans
Updating your estate planning documents ensures your wishes are accurately recorded and legally binding under your new name:
Wills:
Update your will to reflect your new name.
Trusts:
Ensure your trusts are updated with your new name.
Powers of Attorney:
Update your Power of Attorney documents.
Advance directives:
Ensure your advance directives reflect your new name.
Miscellaneous accounts
Don’t forget to update other important accounts to ensure all aspects of your life reflect your new name:
Utilities:
Update your utility accounts to reflect your new name.
Insurance cards:
Ensure your insurance cards reflect your new name.
Voter registration:
Update your voter registration to reflect your new name.
Business licenses:
Ensure your business licenses reflect your new name.
Memberships:
Update all memberships to reflect your new name.
Changing your name affects many aspects of your daily life. Working with an experienced attorney can help ensure the process goes smoothly. They can advise you on the best way to keep track of everything and so that all your documents reflect your legal name change.
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