When you get married, all you have to do is show your marriage certificate (with your new name) to all relevant intuitions as proof of your new last name, according to The Knot. 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 should file documents with the Social Security Administration, including: Depending on the state you live in and the reason for your name change, you may need to do an FBI background check and have your fingerprints taken. Both also charge a fee. With names, as with many great lifestyle choices, it is advisable to try it before buying. Before making a public announcement, be sure to ask a circle of trusted friends — such as your roommates, your favorite group chat, or a trans community space — to address you by your potential new name for a while. Or, if you`re shy, try using the new name for your next coffee or takeout order, and notice how it feels to hear that name. If you are divorcing, the change to your maiden name is usually covered in divorce proceedings. Your name change should be reflected in your dissolution or divorce judgment, according to the CDC.
Unfortunately, changing your name isn`t as simple as submitting a single form and waiting for your new Social Security card. It`s important to be aware of the restrictions your state places 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. If you want to change your name because you got married, simply present your marriage certificate to request the change. Once you have your driver`s license or passport in the new name, you can use it to change your name elsewhere. At least it takes about 6 weeks from start to finish. Depending on your condition, the name change process can take anywhere from 6 months to 12 months. For example, Florida requires you to file your fingerprints for a criminal record check with the Department of Law Enforcement, and you can`t apply to change your name until the court gets the results. It is these types of requests that can slow down the name change process. The process of legally changing your name differs depending on the laws of your state and why you want the change. If you`re starting a new business, you`ll need to choose a name that can be used in your state and doesn`t go against another company`s brand. “It all started when creditors needed to know if a debtor had changed their name,” Arrowood says of the advertising request.
“In New York, your old name, new name, date of birth, place of birth and place of residence were in the paper.” 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. Some common reasons for name changes include marriage, divorce, and other significant life changes. Whatever the reason for a change, you will learn how to legally change your name. We help you manage this sometimes complex process. Keep in mind that there are legal differences between states and you should consider talking to a legal aid lawyer. The process of changing the name is not difficult, but it requires a laborious effort. There are many steps, which can sometimes be slow, that are necessary to successfully change your name.
It`s easy to change your name in social contexts, all you have to do is introduce yourself with the desired name. It`s changing all your documents, that`s the hard part, including your ID, Social Security card, birth certificate, and credit cards. Below are the steps you need to follow to successfully change your name. While there is no law requiring a name change after marriage, the practice is still common in the United States — and not just for women. Men are increasingly adopting their wives` surnames, and in the case of same-sex marriages, some couples decide that a surname is beneficial to them, especially if they are children. Talking to a family attorney about your state`s specific rules for a name change can help you prepare for future contingencies. Your loved ones may not understand the reasons why you change your name, especially if you choose to give up a surname or change the birth name your parents gave you. The legal change of your name, whether for marriage, divorce or any other reason, can be a great life event.
Each state`s laws are different and you should make sure to do so in accordance with the book, including filing your petition to change your name with the appropriate government agency. Let an experienced family law lawyer guide you through the process. “It may seem obvious, but we get several requests a year for people who need to make a legal name change due to a spelling error,” Jo-Anne Stayner of I`m a Mrs. Name Change Service told Mental Floss. You`ll also likely need certified copies of your name change application documents or marriage certificate to present to various institutions, so plan to pay a pretty penny for these duplicates. In some states, you may end up spending up to $450 on your new name. Most states charge a fee to change your name, amounting to a few hundred dollars. You may also have to pay a small amount to publish a legal opinion in a newspaper. If you don`t have that, you need to save first. If you choose to legally change your name, you will need to apply for a name change in your district court.
Depending on where you live, this can be online or in person. The exact rules vary by state and sometimes even county, so you should ask the court for self-help forms and tools that include specific requirements. Since every state is different in its name change rules, you should check with your local clerk to find out what your state`s requirements are. 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. Yes, it`s just your first name, but to change it legally, you`ll need to apply for a name change in the county where you live. However, it`s usually not necessary to change your first name if you have a formal name like Matthew and want your name to appear like Matt in sensitive documents. Depending on your state, you may need to post a notice regarding your name change request. The court clerk should be able to explain this process, which usually includes an advertisement in the local newspaper. Alternatively, the court can do this for you. In all other cases, the change of name of a minor child requires the filing of an application with the court.
Check with your clerk for advertising details of your new name. Some states require you to advertise in certain newspapers, while others require you to advertise in the county where you live. And yes, you have to pay a fee to the newspaper to publish your name change ad. When you adopt a child, a new birth certificate will be issued when the adoption is completed and this constitutes proof of the child`s name. To change your name for any other reason, you will need to use your state`s name change process in court. If you`re still concerned about privacy — a well-founded fear, given the current prevalence of trans exclusion laws and anti-trans sentiments in the U.S. — you can also use services like DeleteMe or OneRep to remove your old name records from various online databases. In most states, it`s a fairly simple process to change your name through the court system. In fact, most state government websites have online forms that you can print and use.
Questions on the forms are very simple and can include your old name, new name, social security number, the reason for your name change, and a promise that you won`t change your name to avoid debt or criminal liability. 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: A very common thing that most states require is the requirement to publish the new name change in your local newspaper. It`s always a good idea to call your local newspaper and ask about the cost of publishing. Make sure you have enough money to cover legal costs and newspaper publishing costs. If necessary, your report will provide you with the correct document to use in the publication of your journal. You will also need a copy of your name change request. Once it is printed in the newspaper, save it for your next hearing date. As the great William Shakespeare once wrote, “What`s in a name?” It turns out it`s a lot.
