How do you change a name while protecting against identity theft risks?

When you legally change your name in California, your personal information—such as your current name, new name, and sometimes details about your address or family—is included in the court petition and may be published in a local newspaper. Understandably, this raises concerns about identity theft. The good news is that the Superior Court has safeguards built into the process. Petitions are kept within the court system, your Social Security number and other sensitive details are not made public, and the publication requirement is limited to your name change request itself, not your private data. In certain cases, such as victims of domestic violence or participants in California’s Safe at Home program, you may even be exempt from publishing in a newspaper, further protecting your privacy.

Even after your name change is granted, the most important step in preventing identity theft is to promptly update all of your records. That means notifying the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport agency, banks, credit bureaus, and healthcare providers so there is no gap where your old and new names might create confusion or opportunity for fraud. It’s also wise to monitor your credit reports closely during this transition. You can place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus if you’re concerned. Being proactive ensures that all your accounts and identification remain secure and aligned with your new legal identity.

EZ Name Change has helped thousands of Californians complete their legal name changes while minimizing risk. Because we prepare and file all of your paperwork correctly and track your case through the court system, we reduce the chance of errors that could expose your personal details unnecessarily. We also provide guidance on how to update your records after your court order is granted, so you can move forward with confidence that your new legal name is protected and fully recognized across every system that matters.