Genealogy

This is a current problem for some family members. My DBs have birth certificates with name family used at that time. Some years later, their DF changed it back to their original Italian spelling. Now my DB has a Social Security card with new name, but birth certificate with with old name. I found our state's info in changing birth certificates, but it calls for a court order. If person does not have this order, they are directed to the circuit clerk's office where the order was filed. Question - is there a way for Social Security to provide info on when the name change was done?

Jacquie

Hi Jacquie, that's some name problem you have. I don't know if you can get information from Social Security, other than the info you get with the SSDI because of all the privacy laws. The SSDI data gives you all the information that the person wrote on their application at the time they signed up for SS. It might also give you any supplemental information if he got a new card when he changed his name.

If the name was legally changed, there should be a court record of it, and there should be an index of cases, showing the names of those that petitioned the court. It could take you some time to search, or the county might do it for you for a fee. That could take some time and might cost a bit, depending on how many areas you need to search. From what I understand, in my area you can legally use any name you want, as long as it's not done to defraud others. You don't even need to do it in a court, as long as you publish a notice of use of an assumed name in the news paper.

Good luck with your search!  

Hi Jacquie, it looksd like Jan gave you the info you need, she's very thorough.