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Every year, thousands of people legally change their names. Marriage and divorce are still the most common reasons, but more people are also changing their names as part of gender transition, and adoption-related name changes happen all the time. The exact number of name changes each year can be hard to track since not all states report them, but one thing is clear: it's becoming more common as people embrace life changes and make their names match their identities.
Changing your name is a big deal, but it's something plenty of people do every year in all of those situations. Whatever your reason may be, the process can feel like a lot to handle. That's where name change services come in - they help you cut through the paperwork and make sure everything gets updated without the hassle.
Tuesday, May 20th
Changing your last name doesn't have to be a headache, when NewlyNamed makes it simple, stress-free, and even a little bit fun. Founded in 2018 and used by over 400,000 people and counting, this service streamlines the process with step-by-step instructions, pre-filled applications, and excellent customer support. Whether you're changing your name after marriage, divorce, or a court order, NewlyNamed covers everything from Social Security and passports to TSA Precheck and loyalty programs. With two package options ($39 DIY or $99 print-and-ship), a 100% happiness guarantee, and thousands of glowing reviews, it should be no surprise that NewlyNamed is our #1 pick for name change services.
Easy Name Change makes updating your last name surprisingly simple, whether you're celebrating a marriage, finalizing a divorce, or embracing the name that feels right. With over a million users since 2008, this service streamlines the paperwork for everything from banks to the DMV. You can go DIY with the $39 Print-at-Home package or have everything printed and mailed for $79. While based in Australia, Easy Name Change still serves US customers well, despite occasional non-American spellings and a long-standing website typo. Customer support is available via email and live chat, and security-conscious users can choose how much personal info to enter digitally. With an "A+" BBB rating, a 4.8-star Trustpilot average, and a 60-day refund policy, Easy Name Change has earned a reputation for reliability - enough for us to boost its rating this time around.
Changing your name after marriage can be a hassle, but Miss Now Mrs makes it easy with a streamlined, tech-friendly service that saves you time. Whether you want to print forms yourself for $39.95 or have everything mailed with prepaid envelopes for $69.95, you'll get access to all the paperwork you need - plus an optional $179.95 Ultimate package with extra perks like live chat support and budget planning tools. While the focus here is on brides, you could technically use it for other situations, though the branding doesn't reflect that. The company still holds an "A+” rating with the BBB, but recent customer feedback is scarce, and their social media presence has gone quiet. The good news? You get an actual toll-free number for support and a money-back guarantee (though the details aren't super clear). If you're a newlywed looking to simplify your name change paperwork, this service could be worth a look - but we'd still suggest looking at Miss Now Mrs' rivals before committing.
LegalShield offers a unique approach to name change services through a monthly legal membership rather than a one-time package. Founded in 1999, the company has served over 4 million individuals and 140,000 businesses, providing access to legal advice at a lower cost than traditional attorneys. Plans start at $26.95/month (billed annually) or $29.95 month-to-month, covering legal guidance for getting name changes approved - though not assistance with filling out forms letting others know of the change. While LegalShield holds an "A+” BBB rating and boasts over 6,000 five-star reviews, its refund policy is vague, and customer service can be hit-or-miss. If you need legal help from the start of the name change process, LegalShield is a solid option, but since it doesn't handle post-approval paperwork like other name change platforms, we give it a middle-of-the-road rating.
Name Change Kit offers an affordable, no-frills solution for updating your name, but it feels outdated compared to more modern services. While it provides packages for marriage, divorce, and legal name changes, all forms must be filled out by hand, with no digital automation or online form completion. The company holds an "A+" BBB rating under its parent company, KitBiz, but has very little customer feedback outside of its own website. If you're looking for a basic, budget-friendly name change service and don't mind a DIY process, Name Change Kit might work for you - but we strongly recommend looking at your options higher on our list first.
US Legal Forms might be an option if you need name change documents, especially for cases beyond marriage or divorce. With a massive library of 85,000+ state-specific forms, this service has been around for nearly 30 years and has helped over three million users. You'll need a subscription - $39/month for basic access or $59/month for premium features like e-signatures and document editing - but be sure to read the refund policy since it's limited. The site can be tricky to navigate, with occasional broken links and an overwhelming number of forms, but users praise the service for saving time and money compared to hiring an attorney. US Legal Forms holds an "A+" BBB rating and a 4.4-star Trustpilot average, but some customers have been frustrated by the auto-renewing subscriptions and annual billing. You're likely to have a better overall experience with a higher-ranked name change service.
HitchSwitch gives you a few ways to handle your name change, from a budget-friendly Print at Home option ($39.99) to the all-inclusive Platinum Plus package ($129.99) with concierge support and even a Shutterfly photo book. No matter which one you pick, your forms are auto-filled, and you'll get step-by-step instructions to make the process smoother. Unfortunately, not everyone has had a great experience here. Some customers have run into outdated instructions, like being told to mail forms that actually need to be submitted in person, and many have struggled to get help from customer service. HitchSwitch still holds an "A-” rating with the BBB, but with ongoing complaints about incorrect information and lack of support, we've dropped their ranking to "below average”.
Update My Name promises to save you time by providing all the necessary forms for a name change, whether you're getting married, divorced, or making a legal switch. Their packages range from $39 for Print At Home to $99 for Platinum, with features like auto-filled forms, premium support, and even a concierge service at the highest tier. Unlike some competitors, they don't seem to charge for shipping - though it's unclear how forms actually get delivered. The company also has conflicting refund policies, no clear customer support channels, and little online reputation to back up its claims. With so much uncertainty, we're giving Update My Name a lower rating and recommend choosing a more established name change service instead.
Find Legal Forms is the lowest-rated name change service on our list, offering cheap, downloadable forms but little else. With no interactive guidance, minimal customer support, and an outdated DIY approach, it leaves users to navigate the process alone. Despite claiming to serve millions, it has almost no reviews, and its BBB rating has dropped to a "B-” due to unresolved complaints. While Find Legal Forms is one of the most affordable name change services, the lack of reliability and hard-to-reach customer service make it a platform we'd avoid.
One important thing to know is that most name change services don't actually grant you a legal name change. You need to have the right legal documents first, like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Once you have that, the real work begins - updating your name everywhere it matters. That means letting the Social Security Administration know, getting a new driver's license or state ID, updating your bank and credit card info, and making sure your employer, insurance company, and other accounts all reflect your new name.
A name change service takes the headache out of this process. Instead of figuring it all out on your own, they provide the right forms, pre-fill your info where possible, and guide you through every step. Some even handle submitting certain documents for you, saving you time and avoiding mistakes. Instead of spending hours on government websites or waiting on hold, you can just follow their process and get everything done smoothly.
If you're thinking about using a name change service, you might get bogged down by all of the options out there. Which one is right for you? Here are some things to consider:
Changing your name is a fresh start, but dealing with the paperwork doesn't have to be a pain: just use one of today's most popular name change services, researched and ranked by the experts at Top Consumer Reviews. These services can take care of the details so you can focus on confidently moving forward with your new name!
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