Your checklist

Every step, in the right order.

A personalized, ordered checklist for legally changing your name in the U.S. — built from your situation, not a generic list.

No checklist generated yet Saved on this device
Intake — tell us your situation
1. Why are you changing your name?
2. Which state do you live in?
3. Do you have a U.S. passport?
4. Do you own a car?
5. Are you currently employed?
6. Housing situation?
7. Do you hold a professional license (nursing, law, real estate, etc.)?
8. Do you have Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or a military ID?
Nothing you enter here leaves your device — answers are stored locally to this tool.
Find your Social Security office → Find your state DMV → Find your county clerk →
Good to know: the IRS doesn't need a separate form. Once Social Security updates its records, your name syncs there automatically. Filing a tax return before that sync finishes is the single most common cause of delayed refunds — so hold off on filing until your new Social Security card is confirmed.