[Roadsend]

For your information. In 1975 I changed my first and last name at the California DMV after getting married.

Back in 1975 all I needed to show was my current Ca. drivers license. Also changed my SS name.

To get a passport in 1987 I did need notarized statements from my parents about my name change.

No problems until moved to a different state in 2006.

A Birth certificate and social security card were required to get a drivers license. They refused to give me one because my birth certificate name was different than my out of state license and SS card.

Previously I was able to just use my passport and out of state license to get a new license. But I stupidly let it expire past the easy renew period.

DMV said I needed a legal name change through the court or try to have my birth certificate changed.

You now need to be finger printed to get a legal name change.

All my Identification is expired over 2 years and can't provide the ID required to get finger printed.

I hope this information can help someone.

My next step will probably be to contact a lawyer.

[AK lawyer]

Moved to a new thread from here.

...
DMV said I needed a legal name change through the court or try to have my birth certificate changed.

You now need to be finger printed to get a legal name change.

All my Identification is expired over 2 years and can't provide the ID required to get finger printed.

You didn't indicate what state is to which you have moved.

You don't need to change your birth certificate.

But it appears to me that if your driver's license is expired, you will need to apply for a new one.

To do that, present your birth certificate and, if you want your "current" name, your marriage certificate. You may also need a statement from the Social Security Administration that the card issued to you was issued to the same person as named in your birth certificate (in other words, that you changed your SS card from your birth name to your married name).

[ScottGem]

I'm wondering how you changed your name back in 1975. I would guess that because that was a time before large scale computer databases and identity theft and frauds, that the CA DMV was more lax about such things.

Edit: I missed that the OP indicate the change was after getting married. Though I don't understand the first name change. If it was only the last name, then a copy of the marriage license should be sufficient.

Nowadays that would not have happened and you are now finding out that your not doing a legal name change is causing you problems and will require an attorney to sort it out.

[Fr_Chuck]

If you changed your name, even in 1975 to be legal, you went to court and did a name change, so merely get a copy of that record.

Next your passport should still be valid ID.

The rules are much harder today, with the new laws that went into effect this year

[AK lawyer]

if you changed your name, even in 1975 to be legal, you went to court and did a name change, ...

Every newly married bride had to go to court for a name change? Don't think so.

This is from the California DMV web site:

"Your true full name appears on your BD/LP document. If you change your name, then you must provide one of the following documents to verify your name change:
• Adoption documents that contain the legal name as a result of the adoption.
• A name change document that contains the legal name both before and after the name change.
• Marriage certificate (issued from a local or state Office of Vital Statistics).
• A certificate, declaration, or registration document verifying the formation of a domestic partnership.
• Dissolution of marriage document that contains the legal name as a result of the court action.
..."