If your current name doesn’t match your birth certificate, you
must provide proof of name change before you can retire. This
also includes your spouse, state-registered domestic partner, or
Alameda County domestic partner.
We understand that in California, you have the common law right
to change your name by the “usage method.” This means that you
simply pick a new name and start using it consistently in all
parts of your life (but this method cannot be used by people who
are in state prison, on probation, on parole, or been a convicted
sex offender, or to change a minor’s name).
However, due to the fight against identity theft, fraud and
terrorism, changing ones name by the “use method” is highly
scrutinized. Therefore, our member or their spouse,
state-registered domestic partner, or Alameda County domestic
partner has to comply with our requirements to show official name
change.
Provide as many of the following documents as you can provide:
- Proof of amended birth certificate
- Driver’s license and/ or passport with current name
- Proof of time of name change (such as school records with
original and new names; professional license with original name;
driver’s license with original name; passport with original name;
social security card with original name; baptismal records, etc.)
How to Provide Documents
- Scan your documents on a scanner, or use the free Adobe
Scan app to scan documents with your iOS or Android device.
- Upload your documents in your ACERA account.
Get
Adobe Scan
Upload
Documents in Your Account
Alternatively, you can mail or QIC copies of your documents
to
ACERA.
Please Don’t Email Document: Please refrain from
emailing documents to ACERA, as your personal documents
contain personally identifying information and email is not the
most secure way to transmit this information.
