What constitutes a legal document for a name change?

A government-issued document, such as a marriage certificate, is recognized as a legal document for a name change because it is issued by an official authority and carries legal weight. These types of documents serve as verified evidence of a change in an individual's legal identity, making it possible to update other forms of identification, including driver's licenses, social security cards, and other official records.

In contrast, relying solely on a driver's license doesn't provide the full spectrum of verification needed for a name change since it generally reflects the name on initial application and doesn’t inherently validate a new name. An informal family note lacks legal standing and is not an acceptable form of documentation recognized by authorities. Therefore, the marriage certificate or similar government-issued documentation provides the necessary legitimacy required for such a change.