Whether it’s for gender reasons, marriage, or you simply don’t like your name and just want to change it, the process is the same. The legal name change part is easy, but there are a ton of steps after that you must do, otherwise things like your credit might get screwed up, or plane travel might be a real pain.
Here’s my step-by-step guide I put together for friends, and I thought I’d share it with all of you.
Step 1: Change your name (and/or gender marker)
The first step is to change your name and/or gender marker with the county. You can either go in person or do it online.
If you go in person and wish to print at home and pre-fill out the form, you can download it here. You can then bring it into the courthouse: 1200 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204.
Make sure to order several copies of the name change certificate; you’ll need them!
Then, after you get the formal name change documents back from the state, you can do the following:
Step 2: Update your name with Social Security and get a new card.
Go to the Social Security office downtown and change your name in person. Pick a quieter day/time to avoid rush. Get a new Social Security card from them. Bring all required documents and budget several hours for this. You may potentially be able to do this online, which would be ideal.
Step 3: Get a new license/ID
Update your name (and marker if you changed it) at the DMV. You do have to pay to get a new license. Update your vehicle registration (and title) while there if possible. Updating your info here should update your voter info, but confirm this with them. You can make an appointment online instead of walking in and waiting, which is recommended.
Those two are the most painful; the rest are easier
Step 4: Update everything else
This list seems daunting, but it can all be done slowly over time. The most important are at the top.
Most of these places are fine with you either emailing or paper mailing a photocopy of your legal name change document to them. I only had to show the original to my bank, and that was in person, and I got to keep it after.
- Go into your bank(s), and change your name (bring the name change document each time to do so). Request new debit or credit cards while there.
- Don’t forget brokerage/retirement accounts.
- Don’t forget any loans, like car loans, student loans, or mortgages.
- Update your new name at each of the three credit reporting companies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian). Do this soon, and do not skip this step. Your credit can get really screwy.
- If you have a valid passport, you’ll need to get a new one or fly internationally under your old name/passport until you replace it. Recommend doing this sooner rather than later.
- TSA pre-check or global entry.
- Update your home’s title if you own a home.
- Update your name at any employer, and any other information they may need to change.
- Update your name with your health insurance. If you use Marketplace, you have to update it there.
- Update your name with your doctor’s office.
- Make sure your name is updated with Social Security before filing taxes for the year.
- Any online accounts, social media, or any other logins.
- Payment services like Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal.
- Let your landlord know if you have one.
- Airline mileage plans
- Insurance: car, renters, homeowners, life, etc.
- Vehicle title/registration (if you didn’t already change it at the DMV when you changed your name)
- Report your name change to the local post office that delivers your mail.
- Change your name on any wills, trusts, or any other legal documents.
- Does anyone have your old name listed as a beneficiary for their bank/retirement/brokerage/life insurance?
- Utilities: water, electricity, gas, internet, trash, etc.
- Any subscription services, or mail order places like Amazon, or anything recurring to your home.
- Any rideshare apps, like Lyft or Uber.
Additional resources:
- How to change your name and what government agencies to notify – USA.gov
- Identification Documents and Transgender People — An Overview of the Name and Gender Marker Change Process in the United States – National Center for Transgender Equality
- Changing Gender Marker on ID FAQ – Oregon DMV
- Changing Your Name and Gender Markers – Basic Rights Oregon
- Name Change Project – Next Steps – Name Change Project
- Oregon Identity Documents – Advocates For Trans Equality