What is considered as official documentation for a name change?

by Chelsie
(NC)

Question: Would a social security card be documentation or a copy of my military ID card suffice?

Question: Primary evidence of a legal name change include a marriage certificate or a court order. Persons whose names have been changed through use must submit the following information.

Change of surname and/or complete given name without a court order:

A passport shall be issued in the assumed name only when the applicant provides acceptable documents of identity in the assumed name and acceptable evidence which shows exclusive use of the name for at least five years.

1. Three or more public documents (such as school records, military records, employment records, tax records, or other public records) showing exclusive use of the assumed name for at least five years are required.

2. Affidavits (Form DS-71) executed by two or more U.S. citizens attesting that they have known the applicant by both names, and that the applicant has used the assumed name exclusively for all purposes for at least five years, may be provided in place of one of the public documents if the applicant cannot obtain a third public record.

Generally, the attesting U.S. citizen comes into the passport unit to complete the affidavit. A U.S. notarial is provided at no cost. For a list of locations in your area, click the link below.

North Carolina Passport Offices

Assumption of new name as "known as" name:

If the assumed name has been used for at least five years, it may be included in the passport as a "known as" name. The applicant must sign the application with both names and provide acceptable identification in the "known as" name.

An applicant who has assumed a new name as a "known as" name should also submit public documents (such as school records, military records, employment records, tax records, or other public records) showing use of the assumed name. Three or more public documents should be sufficient.

Affidavits (Form DS-71) executed by two or more U.S. citizens attesting that they have known the applicant by both names, and for what purpose(s) the applicant uses each name, may be provided in place of one of the public documents if the applicant cannot obtain a third public record.