How to Change Your Name in Tennessee

Co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

Last Updated: February 18, 2023 References

These are instructions on how to change your name in Tennessee under state statute 21-37, which allows a resident who has been married, divorced, or wishes to change their name for personal reasons. Download the free forms and change your name in Tennessee yourself.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Changing Your Name After Marriage or Divorce

1
Get a marriage certificate. Apply for marriage licenses after you have set your wedding date and complete the application between seven and 30 days beforehand.^{[1]
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Research source} Apply with the county clerk of court. The officiator of your wedding will send the signed license in to be recorded, after which you will receive a marriage certificate.
2
Get a divorce or annulment certificate. After a divorce has been finalized, you may apply for a copy of the certificate by mail, in person, or via the internet. Apply in person at the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville. Each copy costs $15, and you must pay an additional $4 vendor fee to use the automated kiosk, which you must use if you intend to pay with a credit card. To order copies by mail, send a completed and signed application for certified copy of certificate of divorce along with a photocopy of an identification card that includes a signature. You may also simply have your application notarized. Include a check for $15 per copy made payable to Tennessee Vital Records. To order copies of the divorce certificate online, you must go through the VitalCheck Express Certificate Service via the Tennessee Department of Health website.^{[2]
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3
Change your name with the Social Security Administration. Complete the SS-5 form. Gather certified copies of marriage or divorce or annulment certificate. Bring the completed SS-5 form and certified copies of marriage or divorce certificates along with a Tennessee driver's license, state ID, or passport to the SSA office. You will also need a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. citizenship certificate, or work authorization letter and I-94.^{[3]
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- You can also apply by mail by mailing your documents to your local SSA office along with the SS-5 form; your documents will be mailed back to you.^{[4]
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- You will receive your documents and new social security card with your new name by mail.
4
Change your name on your driver's license or state ID. Provide a current Tennessee driver’s license (with photo), a non-expired U.S. passport, or your Social Security card to your local Driver Service Center along with proof of your name change, such as your marriage certificate (original/certified copy) or record of divorce (certified). You will have to surrender your current driver's license with your old name, and pay a fee of between $8 and $16 for a duplicate showing your new name.^{[5]
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5
Change your name on your car title and registration. Visit the county clerk's office with a completed Multi-Purpose Application, your original title, and your certified marriage or divorce documents. The county clerk will then be able to change your name on both the registration and the title.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Changing Your name for Other Reasons

1
Complete a Petition for Change of Name form. Obtain the name change form that is used in your county of residence from your county circuit court. Complete the application as completely as you can, leaving the date and clerk signature fields blank. You must have the form verified via affidavit.
2
Gather copies of your original birth certificate, social security card, and official photo identification. You will be required to submit these with the petition. Have original/certified copies available along with photocopies to be sure you have the required copies to submit to the circuit court with your petition.
3
Submit Petition for Change of Name form. Submit your Petition for Change of Name form along with your copies of your original birth certificate, social security card, and official photo identification to the circuit court. Your case will be handled either by the circuit court, probate division, or county court. Call the court who handles name changes in your county to find out where to submit your petition and copies of forms ahead of time to be sure you have everything you need and to find out where you should submit your paperwork. Retain copies for yourself.
4
Attend your hearing. State law requires that the individual whose name will be changed must attend the hearing.^{[7]
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Research source} Bring your copies of your paperwork and any additional documents or information provided to you by the circuit court prior to your hearing. You may be asked to explain why you want to change your name during the hearing. If your name change is granted, the court will mail your official name change document or give you a copy after your hearing.
- Your official name change document will allow you to change your name with public or private institutions, such as your work place, bank, etc.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Changing the Name of a Minor Child

1
Complete a Petition for Change of Name Minor form. Obtain the minor name change form that is used in your county of residence from your county circuit court. Complete the application as completely as you can, leaving the date and clerk signature fields blank. You must have the form verified via affidavit signed by both parents.^{[8]
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- Should both parents not submit the petition together, or should the identity or location of a parent be unknown, the petition needs to be specific with all facts, which includes efforts to identify or contact the non-petitioning parent.
- If there is no father on the birth certificate, you must complete legitimation proceedings prior to filing the Petition for Change of Name Minor form.
- Service of process is required for any non-petitioning parent.
2
Gather documents. You will need copies of the minor's original birth certificate, as well as those of both parents, social security cards and official photo identification of both parents, a photograph of the minor and their social security card. These documents will be submitted to the court along with the petition.^{[9]
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Research source} Have original/certified copies available along with photocopies to be sure you have the required copies to submit to the circuit court.
3
Attend hearing. Both parents and the minor must appear in court. If one parent is a non-petitioner, they must be served with notice of the name change via service of process. In such a case, the court may grant the name change of the minor without requiring both parents to attend the hearing. Provided there is sufficient evidence that the name change is what is best for the minor, the petition should be granted.^{[10]
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