Thursday 27 September 2018

How to Legally Change Your Name in California

Weddings come with a desire for most couples to change their lives. You want to be referred by a new sir name to mark the change in status. You do not want people referring you by one name yet your official records and documents give a different one. To avoid this confusion, Legal Name Change should be your next step. The fact that it is referred to as ‘legal’ may sound intimidating. Do not panic. California has made the process of change easy and convenient.

You only need to present a few documents to particular offices and your name will be flipped. It even gets easier when you have an experienced and professional name change agent to handle your change process. This will save you time and resources. By the time you are settling in your new home or status, all your official documents will bear your new name. It helps to know the process to enable you make a better decision on who to handle the process on your behalf and how to go about it.

Provide Your Marriage Certificate

The marriage certificate is the new key to opening the doors of name change in your life. The certificate is used in almost all states in the process of name change. It makes the process of name change easier because you have a genuine reason. The authorities do not have a reason to decline your application.

The marriage must be officiated and solemnized by an authorized person. This could be a church minister or civil registry official. At the civil registry, you apply for the marriage license by appearing in person at the office of the clerk. The two of you must show your ID documents. The clear will require you to fill in sworn statement and application for Legal Name Change.

Requirements for name change will vary slightly from one county to the other. A birth certificate may be required for some counties while others will use your ID document. You need to confirm the requirements for legal change of name from the office of your clerk. Counties also differ in terms of charges for acquisition of the license. Since you do not present the original marriage certificate, you will require a certified copy. You have to request this certified copy from the office concerned.

Name Change at Social Security Office

The state of California is generous on the names you can change into. You could pick the name of your spouse, create a new name from your two names or choose a different name. You will need to register the new name at the Social Security Administration office. Most government offices and private firms use data provided by the social security administration office. It means that any inconsistency between the name you provide and what is at the SSA office will be a cause for alarm. The social security administration office will facilitate a new card at zero cost.
SSA allows you to make the application online. The application is for a new SSA card bearing your new names. This will allow all other organizations and authorities to effect the change. You must provide details in your previous card and those that are to appear on the new card. The order of appearance is important because some of the names will be regarded as ‘first’ ‘middle’ and ‘sir’ names. There are no charges for acquiring a new social security card in California.

Social Security Administration requires you to attach the copy of the certified marriage certificate. For identification purposes, your driver’s license will be required. Other identification documents may be required where the driver’s license does not work.

The process of Legal Name Change gets easier when you realize that you can complete it by mailing the form to the Social Security Administration office. This allows you to make the application from any location. You may also drop the form in person to the local office.

The fact that they require original documents will complicate your life for a while. In case you are using the driving license, you will have to move around for two to three weeks without the license. This is the time it will take for the office to receive your mailed application, process name change and mail them back. Though many people choose to avoid government offices, it could be the most convenient way to complete your process of name change. Locate the nearest office and have your name change process completed. While you get a new social security card, your old number remains. This means that your records in all places that use the SSA card will be carried over.

The change of name at Social Security Administration allows you to proceed with changes in other organizations. It raises suspicion when different names show documents. There are sensitive organizations like financial institutions that will not serve you because of the discrepancies. This is why you should proceed with changes on all other documents and organizations.

Name Change at Department of Motor Vehicle

California Department of Motor Vehicle name change process is what should follow once you have obtained a new social security card. The DMV in California requires you to make an actual visit. This could be hectic since you have no idea when you will be served. However, you can book an appointment to reduce your waiting time and be certain of the time you will be served.

You are required to fill the DL44 form for an ordinary driver while drivers of commercial vehicles fill the DL44C form. The form is then submitted to the department for processing. Since the form is not provided online, you need to pick one from the nearest office or make a call to have your form mailed. You will have to pay for the mailing charges. Each for comes with a unique barcode that is scanned at the DMV.

The DMV requires you to present the certified copy of your marriage certificate. This explains why you were required to get several copies. You will be required to provide your thumb print and also have a photo taken. Many people take this as the chance to update their photos and present more decent ones. Legal Name Change at the DMV will not be processed unless the process is complete at the SSA. The DMV verifies the information you have provided with what is captured at the SSA database. This means that discrepancies will be flagged and the process halted. Your name, date of birth and social security number must be consistent.

When your application is accepted, you are issued with an interim license. The license will be used until your new Driver’s license has been processed. The new card will be mailed to you. It takes up to 60 days to have your card processed and delivered to you. This means that the interim card will be valid for only 60 days. You can always check the status of your application by calling the concerned office. A call will also help resolve any issue that may arise with your application.

Name Change on Your Passport in California

The consistency of names used on your passport and other documents is essential especially in this age of sensitive identity scrutiny. The process of changing your passport name is similar to that which applies to other states. You are required to apply for a new passport.

Making the application in person will see processing on your passport expedited. The application is made at the Department of State Passport Agency. This can be done in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. You will be required to present your old passport, original marriage certificate, and a colored passport photo. The passport renewal application form must also be fully and appropriately filled.

Passport renewal by mail in California is also allowed. Passports that are less than a year old are processed free of charge. Each case is treated differently. However, if there is no reason to delay your application, it should be processed in the shortest time possible.

The process you use for Legal Name Change and the reasons you provide notwithstanding, you have to update the name on different platforms and institutions. This includes banks, credit card providers, insurance, vehicle registries and such other institutions. With the Social Security card and Driver’s license, you can check the institutions that require name change one by one. With an agent to help you with the name change, the process will be easier, faster and stress-free. It will also cost you less and feel smooth regardless of your circumstances. 

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