Changing your name after marriage isn`t complicated, but it`s paper-heavy. Here is a checklist to help you streamline the process. If you are applying for a name change, you must publish a notice of your application. An advertisement must appear at least once a week for 4 weeks in a newspaper specified by the court. You must file a notice form and submit the payment to the Superior Court for the notice to be published. Keep a copy of the publisher`s affidavit as proof that your notice has been published. 5. Fill in the blanksOnce you have a Social Security card and driver`s license in your married name, other changes should be pretty straightforward. Some places only require a phone call; Others may ask for a copy of your marriage certificate or Social Security card. Be sure to notify: Creativity is very personal and some people may feel limited by the name they receive. Changing your name allows you to get creative and choose something unique that will help you stand out from the crowd, as long as it`s not a name change prohibited by your state.
Changing your name to match your spouse`s last name is one of the most common reasons people want to change their name. This can help some couples feel like a shared family unit and can simplify future cases that require identification, such as filing taxes together. No one likes to be teased because of a name they didn`t choose themselves. If you legally change your name, you have the option to delete a name that you find embarrassing or that you think just doesn`t suit you. People change their names for a variety of reasons. By far, the most common reason people change their name (surname) is due to marriage or divorce. Other reasons include: Not in most states, but it`s useful. In most states, you can legally change your name by simply using it. You can choose a name and use it simply in social environments and in your business. This may be a completely legal name change.
Now that your identity and bank accounts match, contact your company`s human resources department or payroll processor to provide your new information as soon as possible. This way, your cheques will be issued with the correct name and direct deposits will be processed correctly. If you got married and want to change your last name, you usually don`t have to file an application with the court. Instead, you must submit documents to the Social Security Administration, including: It`s important to be aware of any restrictions your state has on the type of name change you want, keep proof of your previous name, and make sure your financial and other records are accurate after the change. Marriage and divorce are the most common reasons people change their name, but they can change their name if they want to change their gender identity or change their child`s name. In some cases, you may be asked to report your case. Every important decision comes with a list of pros and cons, and changing the name is no different. Here are some pros and cons of changing your name: Since each state varies in its name change rules, be sure to check with your local clerk to find out your state`s requirements. Be sure to ask for both a new deck of cards and new checkbooks. If you also update your address at this time, bring proof of address (such as your rental or mortgage documents). Now that you have proof of your marriage, you need to let the government know what name you want to bear. You can apply for a new Social Security card by mail or in person at your local Social Security office.
Find the nearest location here. Be sure to change your name on all your personal and legal documents such as wills, deeds, titles, trusts, accounts and powers of attorney. Changing your name on estate planning documents will make it much easier for your heirs in the future. While your heirs may not be disinherited due to a name discrepancy, they may need to go through other steps to show your previous name and true identity before receiving their share. Here we will break down the general process to get a name change. If you apply less than 1 year after your previous passport was issued, you must collect: Change of adult name – For each adult for a name change after marriage, divorce or any other reason. In general, the six steps to a name change vary from state to state, but the following list is a good place to start. Check with your local court to get all the necessary requirements for a name change in your area.
If you need help, a family law lawyer can prepare your petition and answer your questions. The very first step to changing your name starts with your local district office. There, you`ll know if you need a lawyer for the process, but usually your county office will give you self-help information so you can make the name change yourself without hiring a lawyer. Each state has its own procedure, so it`s important to go to your local county office to gather this information. Make a list of all the places where your maiden name appears and gather important documents. It`s time to officially change your last name! Because it varies by state, changing your name usually costs less than a few hundred dollars. After changing your name, the fee adds up with things like a new driver`s license, social security card, and passport. All this costs money to replace it. Again, states charge different fees to replace ID cards and documents. Here are some frequently asked questions about name change.
Marriage and divorce are by far the most common reasons why people change their names. Generally, if you change your name after you get married, a marriage certificate is the only thing you need. A divorce decree is all you need to change your name again after the divorce. If you mix up or create a new name, you have to go to court. The exact logistics vary from state to state, but you`ll seek a court order, likely from the county clerk. Most likely, you will have to fill out a large amount of paperwork that coincides with your name change. There is paperwork when you have to file with the courts, and there is paperwork to change your name on your important documents (such as passports or bank accounts). Overall, it can be a lot of work.
If the order can`t be changed, or you don`t want to go through this process, you may need to request a name change, but keep in mind that many states allow you to simply reuse your previous name as long as you do it regularly. You can then request that it be changed in all your identification and personal records, but only after you have asked the court for a formal and documented change. A: You cannot legally force your ex-spouse to return to his or her old last name. You have the right to keep your last name. In addition to your friends and family, here are some of the entities you should inform once you legally change your name: If you`re planning to keep your maiden name as a middle name, wedding planner Sandy Malone is all for it. “My real middle name, for example, will always be Elizabeth to me,” she says. “But for legal and formal reasons, I became `Sandra Nelson Malone` when I married my husband. This has proven invaluable over the years, as I`ve discovered places where I forgot to change my name – for example, random car rental points or airline frequent flyer miles. It`s also important to reconnect with old friends through social media.
Putting your personal happiness above the opinions of others can be liberating, and that`s true when it comes to changing your name. However, explaining your name change can be tedious, and some people find it not worth sending an announcement to family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. To legally change your name, you must file a petition with your local Supreme Court. If you are requesting a name change, you must publish your petition and wait at least 30 days before a hearing. Once the court approves your name change application, you must update your name on government-issued ID and other documents. Once you`ve legally changed your name, you should also consider changing your name to: If you want your maiden name back after divorce, you can apply for it during divorce proceedings in most states.