Name Changes / Changing Your Name – Connecticut
The information provided on the 211 eLibrary is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice.
Who Can Request a Name Change?
Because the Connecticut Supreme Court has determined that name changes should be granted liberally, any adult Connecticut resident who wishes to formally change his or her name may do so, provided that the name change is not for the purpose of fraud or other illicit activity. Parents of an adopted child may also request a name change for their child.
How to Apply for a Name Change
- Completed forms are submitted to the local Probate Court, which has the authority to grant name changes. These forms are available at the State of Connecticut Probate Court forms web page http://www.ctprobate.gov/Pages/Probate-Court-Forms.aspx. A name change request may also be submitted to Superior Court. However, it is usually more convenient to use the Probate Court for a name change.
- Name changes for adoption can generally be done during the adoption process.
- Anyone wishing to change their name to their spouse’s after marriage can do so without going through Probate Court.
- Anyone wishing to return to their maiden name or previous married name after a divorce must ask for a name change from the same court that issued the divorce decree. A detailed description of the process and the law is available at the Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries: Connecticut Law About Name Changes webpage, https://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/law/namechange.htm.
Changing Your Name on Other Records
Individuals who are changing their name because of marriage or divorce will need to take additional steps to ensure that their name change is reflected in other important records:
- In order to change your name for tax purposes, you must contact the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA will issue a new social security card reflecting your new name and will automatically notify the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of your new name. The national toll-free telephone number for the Social Security Administration is (800) 772-1213. Online information can be found at: https://blog.ssa.gov/need-to-change-your-name-on-your-social-security-card/
- In order to change your name on your Connecticut driver’s license, you will need to go to your nearest DMV full-service branch office to update the information on both your driver’s license and your vehicle registration, if necessary. https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/change-driver-license?language=en_US.
- You may also need to show a certified copy of a marriage license or divorce decree to other organizations, such as banks, utility companies, etc., to change their records.
To Find Providers in Connecticut’s Community Resources Database:
————————
SOURCES: Social Security Administration; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch; Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles; State of Connecticut Probate Court Administrator
PREPARED BY: 211/ch
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2024
