People change their names due to different reasons. You can do it because you want to legally change your name after the divorce. There are other many reasons to change your name after marriage ranging for serious to some mild ones. But as long as you are changing your name legally, it’s perfect. All you have to do is prove that your name change is not connected to deception or fraudulence acts in any way. Criminals change their names to engage in criminal acts.
Below are some reasons to change your name at any point in life.
Changing For a More Appealing Name
This is a simple reason to change your name. But who wants to be stuck a lifetime with a name they do not want? Names given at birth are your parent’s choice; no one consulted you.
So as an adult, the law allows you to choose the name you want and follow the right legal steps to change it. You can get a current name that you like most such as Ashley or Britney; it depends on your personal preference.
Some names could also be embarrassing and especially if people have difficulties pronouncing them. That is one of the many reasons to change your name after marriage. In this same vein, people with names that could be embarrassing, especially if mispronounced or misspelled, may also seek name changes.
End of a Marriage
When a marriage comes to an end, a woman can seek a name change. This happens to those who change names after marriage. Since no divorce is every sweet, a spouse who had taken up the other’s last name can choose to go back to their maiden name.
The process to legally change your name after divorce depends on laws of the state where you are located. While some require court petitions or only require you to start using your former name consistently.
A Husband Wants to Use the Wife’s Name
Nowadays, it is not a wonder to find a man who wants to take up the wife’s name after marriage. However, it is only easy in Louisiana, Iowa, California, Hawaii, Georgia, North Dakota, and New York; the man applies to use the wife’s name just like the woman does when taking up her husband’s name. In other states, you have to file paperwork, and it’s a bit tedious to legally change your name after divorce.
Changing a Child’s Surname
This is common when the father is absent. A mother can change her child’s surname to hers, and in other cases, it happens the father has turned up and so a child’s name has to be changed to the father’s surname.
Seeking a Name That Is More Or Less Ethnic Name
Some people are uncomfortable with names that can be easily identified ethnically. It helps if you are living with people who cannot pronounce the name. On the other hand, people are looking for ethnically rich names to feel a sense of cultural belonging.
Married Couples Combining Their Names
Of late, married couples have gained a new trend of joining parts their surnames to create a new surname for them. Others will simply add a hyphen between their last names and get a common surname. However, check your state’s laws because this is not one of the reasons to change your name after marriage in every state.
Transgender Name Change
A transgender person will need to change their name to match with the new gender. You can choose to replace the current name by changing it into its feminine or masculine form or come up with new names.
New Religion Conversion
You can change your name after a recent conversion or just because you want to honor another person’s religion. Many people apply to change their names due to religious reasons. It is not always about religion new conversion; others will do it because they want to get deeper in their current religion than before. A good example is Steve Kreusher; he changed to In God We Trust because God had seen him through tough times.
Same-Gender to Share a Single Surname
Same gender marriages are single in some states, but even where they are yet to be legalized, these couples are allowed to change their names and share a single surname. This becomes convenient in legal and financial transactions.
Political Statement
Name change due to political reasons may sound extreme, but they happen. You are legally permitted to change your name due to political reasons. Several people have done this including Marvin Richardson who changed his name to and Brandi Valladolid who became Pro-Life RinglingBeatsAnimals.com.
Thursday 28 March 2019
Monday 18 March 2019
Planning a name change after marriage? Here’s How to go about it
Most couples take the opportunity of marriage to change their names for various reasons. In most cultures, the woman drops her maiden name and picks her husband’s name to reflect her new status. However, both spouses can make any changes to their name when applying for a marriage certificate. While most couples would like to go ahead with a legal name change after marriage, there are fears about the duration the process takes and myriad requirements when making an application.
This article seeks to demystify the process by highlighting the time required to complete the process. Keep reading.
Overview of Name Change after Marriage
The most important thing to remember when applying for a name change after marriage is the marriage certificate. Now, before your wedding, you must apply for a marriage license and the name you use on this document will reflect on the marriage certificate.
A marriage certificate is a legal document and once you get yours, you can start using your new name. For this reason, you need to decide on any name changes before applying for a marriage license. Warmed with certified copies of your marriage certificate, you can apply for new documents including a driver’s license, passport and social security card. You will also send notifications to all institutions that still know you by the old name.
Time it takes to legally Change Your Name after Marriage
Time is of essence when applying for a name change after marriage. It is no wonder that the first thing couples want to know when applying for a name change is the time it will take to start using their new names. After a hectic wedding process, it is understandable that you want to move on with your life and you wouldn’t like the name change to hold you back.
Now, every state has its unique name change requirements and this might affect the duration it takes to finalize this process. However, knowing the time each stage of the process will take can help you plan. Take a look:
1. Application For a Marriage Certificate
This is the most crucial step if you want to change your name after marriage. You have to apply for a marriage license for your wedding to go ahead and this doesn’t take much time. However, a marriage certificate, which is the legal document you need to go ahead with a name change, comes after about 2 weeks from the application date. You need to request for certified copies from the county clerk’s office to proceed.
2. Social Security Card Application
Once you receive certified copies of your marriage certificate, you should apply for a new social security card. Your number won’t change but the name will to reflect the changes on your marriage certificate. You should apply for a new card on the Social Security Administration's website and this will take about 10 business days. This document is crucial for the name change process and you will have to await its arrival to proceed.
3. Driver’s License Application
Once you receive your new social security card, the next step is a visit to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office for a new driver’s license. For this application, you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your new social security card, old DL, photo ID, proof of residence and any other identification document they might require. DMV’s rules vary in every state and this will affect the time it takes to process everything. However, you should have your new DL in about two weeks’ time.
4. Updating Your Passport
If you have a passport or you wish to apply for one, you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate as proof of a name change. It is important to note that updating your passport should wait until after your honeymoon if you intend to travel. You will need to check the State Department’s website for the right application form depending on the age of your original passport.
You have to attach a certified copy of your marriage certificate in your application, proof of residence, new passport photo and original passport. The update will take about 10 business days and you will receive the new passport through mail.
5. Name Change Notifications
Once you acquire new identification documents, you have to send out notifications to relevant institutions, people and authorities about the name change. These include your employer, post office, bank, insurer, creditors and debtors, utility companies, professional licensing boards or associations, Mortgage Company, Credit Card Company, alumni associations, newspaper and magazine subscriptions among others. This will take lots of time.
If you decide to go about a name change the old way, you will use a lot of time and this is where a legal name change service comes in handy. These services provide all forms you need to complete in one place and help you fill and mail them. They also send all notifications to save you time and ensure the name change process is less stressful.
This article seeks to demystify the process by highlighting the time required to complete the process. Keep reading.
Overview of Name Change after Marriage
The most important thing to remember when applying for a name change after marriage is the marriage certificate. Now, before your wedding, you must apply for a marriage license and the name you use on this document will reflect on the marriage certificate.
A marriage certificate is a legal document and once you get yours, you can start using your new name. For this reason, you need to decide on any name changes before applying for a marriage license. Warmed with certified copies of your marriage certificate, you can apply for new documents including a driver’s license, passport and social security card. You will also send notifications to all institutions that still know you by the old name.
Time it takes to legally Change Your Name after Marriage
Time is of essence when applying for a name change after marriage. It is no wonder that the first thing couples want to know when applying for a name change is the time it will take to start using their new names. After a hectic wedding process, it is understandable that you want to move on with your life and you wouldn’t like the name change to hold you back.
Now, every state has its unique name change requirements and this might affect the duration it takes to finalize this process. However, knowing the time each stage of the process will take can help you plan. Take a look:
1. Application For a Marriage Certificate
This is the most crucial step if you want to change your name after marriage. You have to apply for a marriage license for your wedding to go ahead and this doesn’t take much time. However, a marriage certificate, which is the legal document you need to go ahead with a name change, comes after about 2 weeks from the application date. You need to request for certified copies from the county clerk’s office to proceed.
2. Social Security Card Application
Once you receive certified copies of your marriage certificate, you should apply for a new social security card. Your number won’t change but the name will to reflect the changes on your marriage certificate. You should apply for a new card on the Social Security Administration's website and this will take about 10 business days. This document is crucial for the name change process and you will have to await its arrival to proceed.
3. Driver’s License Application
Once you receive your new social security card, the next step is a visit to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office for a new driver’s license. For this application, you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your new social security card, old DL, photo ID, proof of residence and any other identification document they might require. DMV’s rules vary in every state and this will affect the time it takes to process everything. However, you should have your new DL in about two weeks’ time.
4. Updating Your Passport
If you have a passport or you wish to apply for one, you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate as proof of a name change. It is important to note that updating your passport should wait until after your honeymoon if you intend to travel. You will need to check the State Department’s website for the right application form depending on the age of your original passport.
You have to attach a certified copy of your marriage certificate in your application, proof of residence, new passport photo and original passport. The update will take about 10 business days and you will receive the new passport through mail.
5. Name Change Notifications
Once you acquire new identification documents, you have to send out notifications to relevant institutions, people and authorities about the name change. These include your employer, post office, bank, insurer, creditors and debtors, utility companies, professional licensing boards or associations, Mortgage Company, Credit Card Company, alumni associations, newspaper and magazine subscriptions among others. This will take lots of time.
If you decide to go about a name change the old way, you will use a lot of time and this is where a legal name change service comes in handy. These services provide all forms you need to complete in one place and help you fill and mail them. They also send all notifications to save you time and ensure the name change process is less stressful.
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