How to Change Your Name in Wisconsin
Changing your last name after a divorce involves a few essential steps:
- Including a name change request with your divorce petition to streamline the process.
- Ensuring that your final divorce decree explicitly mentions the name change.
- Using the divorce decree or certificate as proof to update your name with government agencies and businesses, such as the Social Security Administration (SSA), your bank, your employer, the DMV, etc.
Before Going to DMV, You Must Change Your Name on Your Social Security Card:
All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. They do not accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
Documents for a name change: If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change. Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:
If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give enough information to identify you in the records or if you legally changed your name more than two years ago, you must provide Social Security with additional documentation.
Marriage, divorce or annulment: In addition to showing a legal document proving your marriage, divorce or annulment, you must provide an identity document. That document must show your old name, as well as other identifying information or a recent photograph. (They do accept an expired document as evidence of your old name.)
Adoption, naturalization or other name change: In addition to showing a legal document citing your new name, such as a court order, adoption decree or Certificate of Naturalization, you must provide them with two identity documents, including:
Both of these documents must show identifying information or a recent photograph.
Then Go to DMV to Change Name:
If you have legally changed your name, you will need to change your name with the Social Security Administration Office before coming to a DMV Service Center. When you come to a DMV Service Center to change your name on your Driver License or Identification Card, you will be required to show proof of your name change. The following are acceptable documents to show proof of your name change:
You also must show proof of identity, which can be proved by:
If applying for your first WI driver’s license or ID card, you must also provide proof of your name and date of birth, proof of residency, and proof of legal residence. For acceptable documents log on to: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/name-change.htm
- Complete an Application For A Social Security Card – Click Here to download form;
- Show proof of your:
- U.S. citizenship (if you have not previously established your citizenship with us) or immigration status;
- Legal name change; and
- Identity.
- Take (or mail) your completed application and documents to:Social Security
Suite 260
310 W Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone Number: 1-800-772-1213
All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. They do not accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
Documents for a name change: If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change. Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:
- Marriage document;
- Divorce decree;
- Certificate of Naturalization showing a new name; or
- Court order for a name change.
If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give enough information to identify you in the records or if you legally changed your name more than two years ago, you must provide Social Security with additional documentation.
Marriage, divorce or annulment: In addition to showing a legal document proving your marriage, divorce or annulment, you must provide an identity document. That document must show your old name, as well as other identifying information or a recent photograph. (They do accept an expired document as evidence of your old name.)
Adoption, naturalization or other name change: In addition to showing a legal document citing your new name, such as a court order, adoption decree or Certificate of Naturalization, you must provide them with two identity documents, including:
- One identity document in your old name (which can be expired); and
- One identity document in your new legal name, which must be current (unexpired).
Both of these documents must show identifying information or a recent photograph.
Then Go to DMV to Change Name:
If you have legally changed your name, you will need to change your name with the Social Security Administration Office before coming to a DMV Service Center. When you come to a DMV Service Center to change your name on your Driver License or Identification Card, you will be required to show proof of your name change. The following are acceptable documents to show proof of your name change:
- Certified record of marriage
- Certified record of divorce
- Certified court order
You also must show proof of identity, which can be proved by:
- A valid WI or out-of-state driver’s license
- A valid WI or out-of-state ID card with photograph
- U.S. Government and Military Dependent ID card
- Military discharge papers, including Federal DD-214
- Certified copy of a Marriage Certificate or Judgment of Divorce
- Social Security Card issued by the Social Security Administration
If applying for your first WI driver’s license or ID card, you must also provide proof of your name and date of birth, proof of residency, and proof of legal residence. For acceptable documents log on to: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/name-change.htm
