so I legally changed my name a year ago.  I just obtained a copy of my credit report and it still says my formal name under that social security number.  My new name is not attached to my social security number with the credit bureaus.  I was under the impression when you change your name with the ssa it would automatically change your credit report...  did you ladies or guys for that matter have to notify the credit bureaus yourself?  how did you go about doing this?  Also is there any way to get your former name taken completely off (in the event of singing a lease, a new job, etc...  or am I going to always be outed in these situations??)   

Thanks so much.

Bella

Being that I had a name change less than a month ago, I am also curious about this.

You can never assume that anything having to do with your credit report will be done automatically. Credit reporting agencies are private companies, and their income comes from the businesses that use them to screen customers; they have absolutely no responsibility to individual people other than giving you the one free annual credit report required by law. They have no interest in getting things right except insofar as it impacts their bottom line. And your name change doesn't.

It's vaguely possible that some people have seen their names automatically changed. But if you actually want it done in a timely manner, you're going to have to file the name change with the credit reporting agencies yourself.

As for whether the old name will be removed completely: zi don't know. I wouldn't bet on it, but it's possible.