Is it possible to change your last name

Changing an Adult's Name to Conform to Gender Identity If you want to change your name to make it match your gender identity, select this process. Recognition of gender change If you want to legally change your gender with or without a name change too , proceed with this option. Getting married If you recently got married and want to change your last name to your spouse's last name, you may not have to go to court.

I want to change my last name? Is that possible? Do I just go to the social security office? Can I just go to the office and tell them to change it? What if I was not recently divorced or married, or what if my child has not been involved in any court cases? How am I supposed to get a court order? What is this document that I need to file, and where do I file it? Are there requirements I must meet in order to file an Application for Change of Name?

After I file for the name change, do I have to let anyone know I am doing this? Do I have to go to a hearing for the name change? Most government agencies or businesses like the DMV, Social Security Administration, and airlines will not accept your new name without a court order. There are 2 ways to officially change your name.

Marriage or Divorce. Marriage: You and your spouse-to-be can change your names when you marry. For example,. Just put the new name that you choose on your marriage license application. Divorce: Either spouse can ask the court to use any name used before the marriage when divorcing. New York divorce judgments include an order allowing you to return to a previous family name or surname, whether you ask for that permission or not.

You will need to send out notices of your name change to Social Security, the DMV, and other agencies who have your records.

Some sample notification forms can be found at:. To change your name for any other reason. To do that, you must fill out and file these court forms:.

Where can I get the court forms? There is also a free, official do-it-yourself online program made by the New York court's Office of Justice Initiatives that you can find here. This service is only available if you legally changed your last name using the discontinued Election to Change Surname service. When you legally change your name back to your previous name, you get a certificate of name change and a new birth certificate if you were born in Ontario.

If your application is complete and accurate, a change of name certificate and your new birth certificate if you were born in Ontario will be mailed within 6 to 8 weeks from the date we receive the application. If all or part of a document sent in support of your application is not written in English or French, you must send us an English or French translation. If a translation is required, your application must include:.