Name Change After Domestic Partnership

[zogetifid]

I am a part of a registered Domestic Partnership in the State of Washington. We went to the Social Security Office on Monday to change our names using our Domestic Partnership Certificate. We were told that we needed to submit a Name Change Form with the Secretary of State in Olympia and then to return with that form to change our names. We did so and returned the next day. We were seen by an agent of the Social Security who took the documents (after conferring with a supervisor) and said that because there were two of us and it was lengthy she would process the name change and then send us he receipt. Today, we received a voice mail that said her supervisor had called the Regional Office and that we would not be able to change our names without a legal court order. Everything that I have read indicates that this is not true. Can anyone help us to shed light on this matter so that we know how to proceed?

 

[Proserpina]

They're actually correct. You need to first change your name legally via the court.

(From SSA.gov)

QUESTION
You asked whether registration of a domestic partnership in Washington can provide a basis for a Social Security Number (SSN) name change after December 3, 2009, when amendments to Washington's registered domestic partnership statutes took effect.
SHORT ANSWER
No. Registration of a domestic partnership in Washington does not effectuate or yield proof of a legal name change.

So, change your names in court first and resubmit once you've done so.

 

[army judge]

The federal government does not recognize "domestic partnerships".

The federal government (in your case, social insecurity) requires a court order indicating a name change or a valid marriage certificate.

In your case, a "domestic partnership agreement/certificate" is neither.