How to Notarize a Name Change Affidavit
A notarized name change affidavit helps update your name on records when a court order is not available. Get yours notarized online in 15 minutes.
Need to update your name on records without a court order? Get your name change affidavit notarized online.
Get Notarized Online — 15 MinutesRemote Online Notarization. Video-based. Legally valid in all 50 states.
At a glance
- Notarization required: Yes
- Witnesses required: No (most states)
What Is a Name Change Affidavit?
A name change affidavit is a notarized sworn statement in which you attest to the difference between your legal name and the name you have been using or intend to use. It is not a substitute for a legal name change — it is a document that helps reconcile discrepancies.
When You Might Need One
- Your name on bank or financial accounts does not match your ID after marriage
- You have used a name professionally that differs from your legal name
- A typographical error on a prior document created a name inconsistency
- You have been using a common law name change in a state that allows it
- A foreign-born name has been anglicized or simplified differently across documents
Limitations
Not all institutions accept a name change affidavit. Government agencies (Social Security Administration, DMV, passport office) require official documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Always verify with the specific institution before relying on an affidavit.
Banks, employers, and some private institutions often do accept a notarized affidavit as part of a name reconciliation package alongside a marriage certificate or divorce decree.
Getting It Notarized Online
The online notarization process for a name change affidavit takes about 10 minutes. You will need a government-issued photo ID matching one of the names in the document. The notary will ask you to confirm the sworn statement before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is a notarized name change affidavit used?
- A name change affidavit is used when someone has been using a different name than their legal name — for example, after marriage when updating records that don't accept a marriage certificate, after divorce, or for people who have used a common law name change without a court order.
- Is a name change affidavit the same as a legal name change?
- No. A court-ordered legal name change is the formal process. An affidavit of name change is a sworn statement that you have been using or are adopting a different name. Some institutions accept the affidavit; others require a court order. Check with the institution before preparing the document.
- What should a name change affidavit include?
- It should state your current legal name, the name you are known by or wish to use, the reason for the name difference, your date of birth, and your sworn signature. Some versions include Social Security number and date of birth for identity verification.
- Can I use a name change affidavit to update my Social Security name?
- No. The Social Security Administration requires specific documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) to change your name. An affidavit alone is not accepted by SSA.
- Does a name change affidavit need to be notarized?
- Yes. The notarization is what gives the document its legal weight as a sworn statement. An unnotarized name change statement is just a written claim — not an affidavit.
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