My name is Jillian, and I recently got divorced and got my maiden name back in the divorce decree. The divorce was in another state and as soon as I received the decree in the mail, I went to get my Arizona driver’s license with my new name. I was told that I had to go to the Social Security office first and change it there then come back after 24 hours to get my new driver’s license. So I went to the Social Security Office and waited on line outside for 1 ½ hours and then inside for another hour until my name was called. I had my current driver’s license with my married name, my social security card with my married name, my birth certificate with my maiden name and my certified copy of my divorce decree from the Texas court ordering my name changed back to my maiden name.
The social security office told me I could not change my name on my card and in their records because my divorce decree did not have my date of birth or social security number on it. She said I had to prove my identity with a recent picture ID in my maiden name or have an official document with both age and maiden name, like a driver’s license. She said it was a new rule effective on 1/17/2006. She said I needed to get an affidavit of Divorce or name change from the Texas court. Well, I got a certificate of name change and it has my social security number but not my date of birth. I haven’t been back to the social security office yet because I cannot miss work to stand in line for several hours. I hope I don’t get into trouble. I will never get married and change my name again.
by: Jillian R
Legal Services Corporation