Affidavit of Name Change

An affidavit is a written statement you sign before a notary public, swearing that its contents are true. An affidavit of name change states who you are, what your former legal name was, what your new legal name is, and the date and court that authorized the change. Some private institutions — particularly smaller banks, foreign financial accounts, or professional organizations — may request a notarized affidavit rather than (or in addition to) a copy of your court order.

The affidavit is not a replacement for the actual court order — it's a supplemental document for institutions that have specific documentation requirements of their own. Government agencies (SSA, DMV, passport office) don't need or use affidavits — they work directly with your certified court order or marriage/divorce certificate. The affidavit is most useful in the private sector.

A standard affidavit of name change should include: your full former legal name, your full new legal name, the effective date of the name change, the name of the issuing court and case number, a statement that the information is true and accurate, your signature, and the notary's seal and signature. Many online legal document services have templates you can customize.

Most of your name change updates will use your certified court order, but occasionally you'll encounter an institution that wants a different format. Having a prepared, notarized affidavit template saves time when these situations arise — rather than going back to get a specialized document, you can present something you prepared in advance.

Always make sure your affidavit matches your court order exactly — the same spelling of your old and new names, and the correct effective date. Discrepancies between the affidavit and the underlying court order can raise questions and slow down the update process.