After the wedding, everything starts settling and the hectic days of planning become a distant memory. As you start getting comfortable into your new life, you will immediately discover you never gave much thought to a legal name change after marriage. It happens to most couples in New York and in many cases, panic sets in due to lack of information. If you ask around, you will get conflicting idea son the process, and this makes things worse. Coming just after a tiring wedding season, a name change can overwhelm even the most steadfast couples.
The first question that comes to mind is; is it easy? Well, changing your name after marriage is not easy and you have to appreciate this fact. Luckily, there is a new approach that revolutionizes name change after marriage. Read on to find out how to change your name and get a crucial tip to avoid all the hassle that comes with the process.
1. Use Your New Name in Your Marriage Certificate
The first step in changing your name legally after marriage is having the new name reflected on your marriage certificate. When you apply for a marriage license, you should use the desired name because this is what the county office later uses for your marriage certificate. Pay for certified copies of the marriage certificate as they are a requirement at every step of the name change process.
2. Apply For A Social Security Card (SSD)
In New York, you need to apply for a new security card after a legal name change by visiting the state website and downloading Form SS-5. Once you fill the required information, send the form together with a copy of your marriage certificate, old SSD, proof of identity (such as driver’s license, non-driver's ID card, or US passport) and proof of citizenship (use a birth certificate, Certificate of Citizenship, US Consular Report of Birth, or Certificate of Naturalization). The process is free in New York and takes about ten days.
3. Apply For a Driver’s License Name Change
Your driver’s license is a vital identification document, and once you change your name, this has to reflect on the DL too. Visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office for a new DL and while at it, apply for a change of name in your vehicle title and registration and voter registration card.
You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, old DL, US passport or passport card and your new Social Security Card. Fill out (Form MV-44) and (Form MV-82) for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card and the Vehicle Registration/Title Application respectively.
4. Apply For a Passport Name Change
Make sure you change your name on your travel documents to avoid inconvenience in future. However, if you plan to go for honeymoon out of the country, this process can wait till after you come back. To complete the name change download fill out Form DS-5504 if your passport is less than one year old or Form DS-82 if your passport is older than one year. These forms are on the state government website. You need your recent passport, a certified copy of your marriage certificate and any other required identification documents. Send the completed form and required documents to the National Passport Processing Center.
5. Make Sure Everyone Else Knows
You have been using your name for years both formally and informally and you need to notify everyone about the changes. This includes institutions such as your bank, the post office, your employer, Credit Card Company, Mortgage Company, your attorney, doctor’s offices, magazine and newspaper subscription services, utility service companies, schools and everyone else. When sending notifications, make sure you attach a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
How to Simplify Name Change after Marriage
Looking at this name change process for New York couples, you can understand why most dread going through with it. You need a lot of information, make numerous visits to government offices, fill out forms, and in case of a mistake, you have start all over again. To avoid all this hassle, you can approach an online legal name change service.
These companies avail all documents you need to fill on one platform and guide you through the process. You will get a custom name change package depending on your needs. For instance, once you provide all the information required, they fill out all the forms and all you need to do is append your signature and send the complete forms. It saves you time and you avoid the stress of hopping from one office to the other.
Changing your name after marriage in New York used to be a daunting affair but with an online name change service, it is a walk in the park.
The first question that comes to mind is; is it easy? Well, changing your name after marriage is not easy and you have to appreciate this fact. Luckily, there is a new approach that revolutionizes name change after marriage. Read on to find out how to change your name and get a crucial tip to avoid all the hassle that comes with the process.
1. Use Your New Name in Your Marriage Certificate
The first step in changing your name legally after marriage is having the new name reflected on your marriage certificate. When you apply for a marriage license, you should use the desired name because this is what the county office later uses for your marriage certificate. Pay for certified copies of the marriage certificate as they are a requirement at every step of the name change process.
2. Apply For A Social Security Card (SSD)
In New York, you need to apply for a new security card after a legal name change by visiting the state website and downloading Form SS-5. Once you fill the required information, send the form together with a copy of your marriage certificate, old SSD, proof of identity (such as driver’s license, non-driver's ID card, or US passport) and proof of citizenship (use a birth certificate, Certificate of Citizenship, US Consular Report of Birth, or Certificate of Naturalization). The process is free in New York and takes about ten days.
3. Apply For a Driver’s License Name Change
Your driver’s license is a vital identification document, and once you change your name, this has to reflect on the DL too. Visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office for a new DL and while at it, apply for a change of name in your vehicle title and registration and voter registration card.
You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, old DL, US passport or passport card and your new Social Security Card. Fill out (Form MV-44) and (Form MV-82) for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card and the Vehicle Registration/Title Application respectively.
4. Apply For a Passport Name Change
Make sure you change your name on your travel documents to avoid inconvenience in future. However, if you plan to go for honeymoon out of the country, this process can wait till after you come back. To complete the name change download fill out Form DS-5504 if your passport is less than one year old or Form DS-82 if your passport is older than one year. These forms are on the state government website. You need your recent passport, a certified copy of your marriage certificate and any other required identification documents. Send the completed form and required documents to the National Passport Processing Center.
5. Make Sure Everyone Else Knows
You have been using your name for years both formally and informally and you need to notify everyone about the changes. This includes institutions such as your bank, the post office, your employer, Credit Card Company, Mortgage Company, your attorney, doctor’s offices, magazine and newspaper subscription services, utility service companies, schools and everyone else. When sending notifications, make sure you attach a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
How to Simplify Name Change after Marriage
Looking at this name change process for New York couples, you can understand why most dread going through with it. You need a lot of information, make numerous visits to government offices, fill out forms, and in case of a mistake, you have start all over again. To avoid all this hassle, you can approach an online legal name change service.
These companies avail all documents you need to fill on one platform and guide you through the process. You will get a custom name change package depending on your needs. For instance, once you provide all the information required, they fill out all the forms and all you need to do is append your signature and send the complete forms. It saves you time and you avoid the stress of hopping from one office to the other.
Changing your name after marriage in New York used to be a daunting affair but with an online name change service, it is a walk in the park.
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