Enrichment · Life Skills

One new name,
every record.

A new name has to reach dozens of places, and the order matters: Social Security first, because tax records, payroll and many motor vehicle offices check against it. Work down the list, see which passport form fits your dates, and keep track of every account still showing the old name.

Start your listWhat you get

Your name change

The worked example is made up: a marriage in September, the Social Security card and payroll done, a passport issued nine months ago and a flight in December. Saved on this device only.

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What you get

Enrichment · Life SkillsFree

What you finish with
A record per name change with the legal document, certified copies, passport issue date and next flight; five identity records in order, six money and benefits accounts and five everyday records, each updated, to do or not applicable; any other place you add. Names the passport form that fits and flags the license done before Social Security, too few certified copies and a flight before the passport is updated.
Who it is for
Anyone changing their name after a marriage, divorce or court order, and the family member helping with the forms.
Format
Browser checklist with a saved record per name change. Prints the checklist, a summary or a blank copy; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Life Skills space in Caveat Enrichment.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Add the new name, the document and how many certified copies you have.
  2. Start with Social Security, then work down the identity records in order.
  3. Enter your passport’s issue date to see which form fits.
  4. Mark accounts as you update them; add any place the list misses.
  5. Print it and carry it with the certified copies.

Start your list

The order that works

Why Social Security goes firstSocialSecurityrecordYour tax returnThe IRS matches the name and number toSocial Security. A mismatch can hold up arefund.Your paycheckYour employer reports wages under the nameand number on file.Your licenseMany motor vehicle offices check the nameagainst Social Security before they print acard.Why Social Security goes firstSocial Security recordYour tax returnThe IRS matches the name and number toSocial Security. A mismatch can hold upa refund.Your paycheckYour employer reports wages under thename and number on file.Your licenseMany motor vehicle offices check thename against Social Security before theyprint a card.
One record feeds the others. Change it first and the rest line up.

Passport forms by date

Within a year of the passport being issued, a name change is corrected with Form DS-5504 and no fee. After that, Form DS-82 renews it by mail when the passport is undamaged, was issued within the last 15 years and was issued when you were 16 or older. Otherwise apply in person with Form DS-11.

Certified copies

Offices want a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order, issued by the office that keeps the record. Some keep it for weeks. Ordering three or four at once lets the Social Security, passport and license steps run side by side.

Sources

  1. Social Security Administration. Change Name With Social Security and Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card (ssa.gov).
  2. U.S. Department of State. Change or Correct a Passport, Forms DS-5504, DS-82 and DS-11 (travel.state.gov).
  3. Internal Revenue Service. Name changes and Social Security number matching issues (irs.gov).
  4. Transportation Security Administration. Identification: the name on the ticket and the ID (tsa.gov).

The worked example is made up. Rules for driver’s licenses, voter records and court orders are set by each state; follow your state’s office. Federal forms and fees change, so confirm on the agency’s own site before you file. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.