How to update last name on EDD account for SDI and PDL claims after marriage?
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I recently got married and need to update my last name on my EDD account before filing for disability leave and pregnancy disability leave. I've already updated it with the SSA and DMV, but EDD seems to be a whole different beast. Anyone gone through this process recently? Any tips or tricks to make it smoother? I'm worried about delays in my claims if I don't get this sorted out soon.
28 comments


Keisha Jackson
Congrats on the marriage! 🎉 I went through this last year, and it was a bit of a hassle. Here's what worked for me: 1. Log into your EDD account 2. Go to 'Manage My Account' section 3. Look for 'Update Personal Information' or something similar 4. Upload a scanned copy of your marriage certificate 5. Fill out any required forms (there should be one specifically for name changes) 6. Submit and wait... it took about 2-3 weeks for mine to process Make sure you follow up if you don't hear anything after a couple weeks. Good luck!
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StarGazer101
•Thank you so much! This is super helpful. Did you have any issues with your claims during the processing time?
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Keisha Jackson
•Nope, no issues! Just make sure you do this BEFORE you file any new claims. It's easier that way.
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Paolo Romano
•2-3 weeks?! That's crazy. The government moves at a snails pace 🐌
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Amina Diop
ugh, the EDD is such a nightmare. I tried updating my address last month and I'm still waiting for it to go through. Good luck with the name change!
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Oliver Schmidt
Have you tried calling them? Sometimes talking to a real person can speed things up.
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StarGazer101
•I've been trying, but I can never get through. It's always busy or I'm on hold forever 😫
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Natasha Volkov
•Pro tip: I found a way to actually get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
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Javier Torres
•Wait, what? You have to pay to talk to a government agency? That's messed up.
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Natasha Volkov
•I know it sounds sketchy, but after spending hours trying to get through, it was worth it for me. Saved me a ton of time and stress.
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Emma Wilson
•Hmm, interesting. Has anyone else tried this service? Sounds too good to be true.
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Natasha Volkov
•I was skeptical at first too, but it really did work for me. Just sharing what helped me out!
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QuantumLeap
make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING. The EDD lost my paperwork twice when I was updating my info. CYA all the way!
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StarGazer101
•Oof, that's rough. Thanks for the heads up!
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Malik Johnson
Anyone else feel like the EDD website was designed in 1995 and never updated? 🤣
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Isabella Santos
•LOL for real tho. It's like stepping into a time machine every time I log in 💀
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Ravi Sharma
•Hey now, don't insult 1995 like that! 😂
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Freya Larsen
Quick question - are you planning on taking SDI before or after PDL? I'm in a similar boat and trying to figure out the best way to maximize my leave.
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StarGazer101
•I'm actually not sure yet. Still trying to figure out all the details. If anyone has advice on this, I'd love to hear it!
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Omar Hassan
Protip: If you're having trouble with the online system, sometimes going old school and mailing in a paper form can actually be faster. Crazy, I know, but it worked for me!
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Norah Quay
•That's actually brilliant! Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. Do you know where I can find the paper forms? Are they on the EDD website or do I need to request them?
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Yara Elias
•You can find the paper forms on the EDD website under the "Forms" section, or you can call and request them to be mailed to you. I'd recommend downloading and printing them yourself if possible - it's faster than waiting for them to mail you the forms. Just make sure you're using the most current version!
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Ravi Gupta
I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago! One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - make sure you update your name with EDD BEFORE you start any claims process. I made the mistake of filing my PDL claim with my maiden name still on file, and it created a whole mess that took weeks to sort out. The system got confused and kept rejecting my documentation. Also, when you upload your marriage certificate, make sure it's a certified copy - they wouldn't accept a regular photocopy when I tried. Save yourself the headache and get everything updated first! Good luck with your pregnancy and congratulations again! 💕
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Isabella Costa
•This is such valuable advice! I definitely want to avoid that kind of mess. Quick question - when you say "certified copy" of the marriage certificate, did you have to get that from the county clerk's office where you got married? Or was there another way to get a certified copy? I'm trying to figure out the fastest way to get the right documentation together.
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Harper Thompson
I just went through this exact process a few months ago! One thing I want to add - if you're dealing with both SDI and PDL, make sure to ask the EDD representative (when you finally get through to one) about how the name change affects both programs. In my case, they had to update my records in two separate systems, and it wasn't automatic. Also, pro tip: take screenshots of every step of the online process and save confirmation numbers if you get any. The EDD system can be glitchy and sometimes "loses" your submissions. Having that documentation saved me when I had to re-submit everything. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me, but it was worth doing it right the first time rather than dealing with claim delays later!
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Liam O'Sullivan
•This is incredibly helpful! Taking screenshots is such a smart idea - I never would have thought of that. Did you run into any issues with the two separate systems not syncing up properly? I'm wondering if I should submit the name change request for both SDI and PDL at the same time or do them separately to avoid any confusion.
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Zainab Ibrahim
I actually just finished this process last month! Here's what I learned that might save you some time: 1. **Do it all at once** - Submit the name change for both SDI and PDL simultaneously. The systems are separate but the representatives can flag both for update if you mention it upfront. 2. **Best time to call** - Try calling right at 8 AM when they open. I had better luck getting through then versus later in the day. 3. **Required documents** - You'll need a certified copy of your marriage certificate (get it from the county where you were married) AND sometimes they ask for an updated Social Security card showing your new name, even though you said you already updated with SSA. 4. **Timeline** - Mine took exactly 18 business days to process, so plan accordingly if you need to file claims soon. 5. **Follow up** - They don't always send confirmation emails, so call back after 2 weeks to verify the change went through. The whole thing was definitely frustrating, but once it was done, filing my PDL claim was smooth sailing. Hang in there! 🤞
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Mia Roberts
•This is such a comprehensive guide, thank you! The tip about calling right at 8 AM is gold - I've been trying to get through at random times during the day with no luck. Quick question about the updated Social Security card - did they specifically ask you for the physical card, or was showing proof that you'd updated it with SSA sufficient? I'm trying to figure out if I need to wait for the new card to arrive in the mail before I can complete the EDD name change process.
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