Can You Change Your Last Name Without Being Married

Cull the option that best fits your situation:

File a name change petition
Filing a Petition for a Change of Name is the near common procedure and results in a court lodge. This section will walk you lot through the steps.

Divorced or getting divorced
If you lot want to change your name back to your maiden name or a prior married name, select this process.

Changing an Developed'due south Name to Suit to Gender Identity
If you want to modify your name to brand it lucifer your gender identity, select this process.

Recognition of gender change
If you want to legally change your gender (with or without a name modify too), continue with this pick.

Getting married
If you recently got married and want to change your last name to your spouse'due south final name, yous may not have to go to court. Contact both your local DMV role and your social security office, and ask them whether you can change the name on your commuter'due south license and social security menu simply past showing your marriage license or certificate. Note that it is possible they volition tell you to go a court order, so exist prepared for that.

Annotation: In California, you by and large have the legal right to change your proper noun simply past using a new name in all aspects of your life, also known as the "usage method." But, with few exceptions, authorities agencies require a court order equally official proof of a name change and then getting a courtroom order is the best way to make sure yous legally change your name.