Please note that the two drop-down sections below apply to people who currently live in Connecticut and plan to continue to do so. If you live in another state, different regulations may apply to you. No matter where you live, the large “Other places to change your name” section most likely applies to you.

What Connecticut calls the Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV” for short) your home state may call “Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)”, “Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)”, or something else entirely.

“How do I change my last name after I get married in Connecticut?”

“After you marry us, where should I change my last name?”

Thank you for asking!

1. The first place that you contact must be the Social Security Administration. You may want to change your address when you change your name.

• This Social Security Administration Page can help you get started. Or you can go to your local Social Security Office (you may need to make an appointment).
• You must bring with you a Certified Copy of your Marriage License. Not a photocopy of your Certified Copy!
• You must also bring identification with a photograph such as a driver's license or a passport. It must be the original document, not a photocopy. Neither the Social Security Administration nor the Department of Motor Vehicles will accept a photo on your phone (nor anywhere else) of any identification!
• If you have a “Green Card” you must also bring that with you.
• The rest of this Page should help you with lists of places to change your name!

“Where do I go next to change my name?”

2. The second place to contact is the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• To go to any Department of Motor Vehicles Office in person you must make an appointment. (The DMV website has a lot of information!)
• You may want to change your address at the same time as you change your name.
• You must bring with you your existing / old Driver's License plus your new Social Security Card. Neither the Social Security Administration nor the Department of Motor Vehicles will accept a photo on your phone (nor anywhere else) of any identification!
• Be prepared to have your picture taken. The DMV will not use an old photo.
• You will be issued a new Driver's License with your existing / old Driver's License number.
• Your new Driver's License will probably be sent in the mail, not be given to you immediately.
• You will probably receive a black & white printed copy of your new license. If you are stopped by the police for any reason (or no reason) you must have your old license and this printed document with you until you have received and carry with you your new license! Failure to carry current identification is a crime just by itself.

The rest of this Page should help you with lists of places to change your name!

Other places to change your name (and address if you move or have moved.)

• Passport – State Department
• Employer
• Work identification (e.g., badge, door / desk nameplate)
• Emergency contact information
• Healthcare (if your healthcare insurance is through your employer)
• Business cards
• Insurance
• Healthcare
• Homeowners / Renters
• Car / Vehicle / Boat
• Life insurance (you may want to change your beneficiary as well)
• Banks / credit unions / brokerage accounts / investments / financial planners
• Checking and savings (order new checks? change to a joint account?)
• CDs (Certificates of Deposit)
• Mortgages / loans
• IRA / 401k / retirement plan (may be through your employer)
• Stocks and bonds
• Mutual funds
• Trusts and estate planning (please seek help from an attorney)
• Safe deposit boxes
• Credit cards / debit cards
• Landlord / property management company / homeowners’ association
• Utilities (electric, gas, oil, water, phone / cell phone, cable, TV, Internet)
• Professional licenses and credentials, unions
• Post Office (United States Postal Service)
• Change of address
• Add / change name on home mailbox(es) and P. O. Box(es)
• Schools
• Your student registration / identification (if you are enrolled)
• Children's school records / emergency contact information
• Alumnae / alumni organizations and sororities / fraternities
• Alarm / security company (you may want to change your password, too)
• Professional and social organizations
• Boat slip / parking garage
• Tax records / land records
• State and Federal income taxes
• Voter registration
• Your attorney and your spouse's attorney
• Religious institutions and charities
• Red Cross / blood banks
• Doctors' / dentists' / medical professionals' offices / hospitals
• Veterinarian and pet’s microchip company
• Pharmacies / optometrists / ambulance associations
• Medicare (if applicable)
• Airlines’ frequent-flier plans / loyalty (shopping) cards
• Library card / membership cards (e.g., AAA, BJ’s, Sam’s Club, gym)
• Subscriptions
• Royalties / patents (name changes will probably need legal advice)
• Wills, Living Wills, and Powers of Attorney (please see notes below)
• Organ donor records
• Any person or company with whom you have an existing contract
• Email / voicemail (both home and business)
• Your personal / professional website(s)
• Social media (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X [formerly known as Twitter] )
• Any person or company to whom you would send a change of address

The website WWW.AnnualCreditReport.Com was established by the Federal Government for consumers to receive their absolutely free credit report. There are no fees. This is not a subscription. You can order a free credit report to be sure all your old accounts have been closed, and no one has opened accounts in your previous name.