General information, not legal advice. NewLastName isn't a law firm, doesn't give legal advice about your situation, and doesn't refer you to lawyers.
Documents needed to change your name
The document you need is the one that legally changed your name: a certified marriage certificate, a signed court decree, or a divorce order that restores a former name. Social Security and the State Department both ask for that proof. In a California court case you file NC-100, NC-110, NC-120, and NC-130 before a decree exists.
Last checked: 2026-10-10 for the court and agency pages linked here. California's filing fee was checked on the statewide civil fee schedule on 2026-10-12. Other fee figures in tables come from our state cost file, last verified 2026-10-12 (Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. filing fees in that file were verified 2026-10-09). Newspaper and certified-copy amounts were not re-checked against every county fee schedule.
Key facts
| Path | Paper agencies ask to see |
|---|---|
| Marriage | Certified marriage certificate |
| California court petition, before the hearing | NC-100, NC-110, NC-120, NC-130, and CM-010 if the court requires it |
| After a California court grants the name | Signed decree, form NC-130, certified copies |
| Former name after a California divorce | Signed judgment (FL-180) or signed FL-395 |
| Passport | The name-change document, plus the form the State Department's page lists for your situation (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/change-correct.html) |
Steps
- Match the paper to the path. The State Department passport name-change page lists a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order as examples of a name-change document.
- Use certified copies. The California divorce name page says many agencies want a certified copy. Our cost figures assume 4 certified copies for a court order and 3 for a marriage certificate or divorce judgment. Certified-copy prices vary by county. Check your court's fee schedule.
- Social Security first. Request the replacement card on the Social Security name-change page. Bring the legal paper and the identity documents that page asks for.
- Keep a copy at home. You will show the same paper more than once. The court or vital-records office can make more certified copies later.
What differs by state
Court form numbers are local. The federal agencies take the document your state issued. Documents needed is the older checklist on this site.
| State | Official page | State guide |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| California | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Florida | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Georgia | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Illinois | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Massachusetts | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Michigan | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| New Jersey | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| New York | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| North Carolina | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Ohio | See the state guide | State guide · Court petition page |
| Pennsylvania | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Texas | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Virginia | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Washington | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Washington, D.C. | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
Free official help
The court clerk says which copies are certified. Each office decides what it accepts, so call ahead if you're unsure.
Also on this site
- Name-change cost
- Cost calculator
- California name-change cost
- Texas name-change cost
- How long a California name change takes
- Marriage and a court order
- All name-change guides
- Order of agencies
- Court order and form NC-100
- Former name after divorce
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.
- Change your name with Social Security (Social Security Administration) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Name change for a U.S. passport or correct an error (U.S. Department of State) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Start the name change process (adult forms) (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-10.
- Change your name in your divorce case (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-10.
- Update your identity documents (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-10.
General information, not legal advice. NewLastName isn't a law firm, doesn't give legal advice about your situation, and doesn't refer you to lawyers.