Here’s Everything You Need For A Name Change After The Wedding

A name change is one of the most important, albeit overlooked tasks in a new marriage.  Most couples stumble on the need for a name change at the last minute. While the legal name change is a post-wedding process, it starts way back before the marriage.

You need to start preparing even before the big day. To set things rolling, you should identify all items in the name change checklist. 

Here you will find everything you need to get ready for this process.

1. Pick a marriage Certificate 

The marriage certificate is the single most important document in a legal name change after marriage. You should first apply for a marriage license to allow the wedding.

In this application, indicate the new name you want to use after marriage. This is the name that appears on the marriage certificate after the wedding. You should pay extra for certified copies of the marriage certificate for use later in this process.

2. New Social Security Card 

Your social security card is a critical document and contains a unique social security number (SSN). This is the number the government uses to calculate your benefits, tax refunds among other things.

According to Federal law, you have to notify the government about a change in your name and apply for a new card. This application goes through social security services.

Download the SS-5 application form or pick a copy from your local social security services. Fill the details, and provide the following:

• Proof of name change: In this case, attach a certified copy for the marriage certificate
• Proof of identity: Your current SSD card is proof enough of your identity. Other documents that can prove your identity include your driver’s license, U.S. military identification card, Employer identification card or Health insurance card.

Mail the completed SS-5 form with the necessary documents. You can also opt to drop the application at the local social security offices. After verification of the documents, you should have your new card within 14 working days.

3. Apply For A New Driver’s License 

You need a new driver’s license to reflect the name change after marriage. Download the new DL application form to save time when you visit the local DMV offices. They will take a new photo and you have to hand it the old license.

You should also have the receipt for the social security card application. Provide proof of residency, a certified copy of the marriage certificate and a processing fee set by your state.

4. Passport And Travel Document 

After your honeymoon, you need to update your travel documents. If your passport is more than a year old, fill in form DS-82.

For passports less than a year old, fill out DS-5504. For passports that expired over 5 years ago, fill out form DS-11. You can download these files from the state’s websites.

Send the completed forms with necessary proof of identity, copy of marriage certificate, a color photograph, and applicable fees.

5 Work And Employment 

You need to inform your employer about the name change, Unions and Professional Organizations and your professional website for freelancers.

6. Financial Institutions

Your bank and any other institution dealing with your finances need to know about the name change. Send notifications attaching a certified copy of the marriage certificate in each letter.

Notify your bank, creditors, debtors, Mortgage Company, your attorney, the insurance company, investment accounts among others.

7. Service Providers And Subscriptions 

Notify all service providers including your doctors, magazine subscriptions, utility providers including electric, telephones, internet, gas, water, and cable. You should also update your social media accounts.

An Easier Name Change Process

The traditional name change process after marriage is tedious. Luckily, innovative online name change solutions such as HitchSwitch now provide a timely solution.

These services handle all the hard work. They research the legal process in your state and advise accordingly.

Wrapping up

Name change after marriage is a tedious yet necessary process after the wedding. This checklist summarizes everything you need and the steps to follow.  However, it doesn’t have to be such a tedious process. You can now use online name change services to avoid the hassle.

Why’s the Number of People changing their Names Growing?

There is a growing number of people changing their names. But why is that? What are the possible reasons for which you can change your name? There has been a cultural shift in how people perceive identity. People no longer stick with a name they don’t like when the name change process is pretty straightforward.

Social media has also significantly contributed to this new trend. People have realized that they not only have control over what they’re called online; they can make it official as well.

Of course, there are also more traditional reasons like Changing Name After Marriage and Legally change your name After divorce. Brides dropping their maiden name and taking up the grooms last name has been a traditional practice since time immemorial. 

Whatever reason you have for changing your name, there is a process to it. It’s always advisable to seek professional assistance to expedite the entire process.

1. Changing Name after Marriage

This is the most familiar reason for changing your name. Even though times have changed, and some prefer to keep do it their own way, it’s still a pretty common practice. 

Before changing name after marriage, couples have to wait two weeks for their marriage certificate to come out. The entire process requires you to provide proof of marriage. 

You are advised to use a certified copy of their marriage certificate and keep the original document. 

Note that each state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to this name change process. Ensure you research to find out what restrictions you should abide by. 

HitchSwitch has amazing packages to ensure you don’t go through the hassle of going from one government office to the next. This legal name change service gives you online access to all paperwork you need to Changing Name After Marriage.

2. Legally change your name after divorce

If a married couple decides to get a divorce down the line, the wife can drop her husband's last name and take back her maiden name. The wife would need a divorce decree for this to happen.

The couple will have to go for court proceedings at the county’s courthouse. A divorce decree can only be issued once the divorce is final.

A divorce decree is a legal name changing document that authorizes you to Legally change your name After divorce. You’ll need to provide it to complete several steps of your name change.

In case you want a surname different from the one indicated on the divorce decree, you’ll need to file a petition to make the necessary modifications. 

If your petition is rejected, you’ll have to go through a court-ordered name change. 

3. A Court-ordered Name Change 

For reasons other than marriage and divorce, you need a court order to proceed with your name change. This could be because you don’t like your current name, or you’ve changed your gender. Other reasons include;

• Taking up your father’s surname if you were born out of wedlock or adopted
• If you have a name that’s difficult to spell and pronounce 
• If you want to dentify with a foreign nationality
• For religious reasons
• For political or entertainment statements

Everyone is entitled to personal preference, and this includes the name they want to be known by. 

For most states you need to file your name change in court. However, there are counties where this is not necessary. Checking your state’s legal name changing laws ensures you follow the right procedure.

To get a court order, you’ll need to file a petition with the state’s court clerk. Once the petition has been approved, you can begin the name change process. You can change your name to anything you want as long as you abide by the following restrictions;

• You cannot change your name if the intention is to escape a criminal offence or evade paying a debt you owe
• Your petition cannot be approved if you’re changing your name to commit a crime 
• You cannot be allowed to take up the name of a famous person to mislead people 
• Your name should not include numbers or symbols 
• You should not take up a name that’s offensive (racial slur, threatening)

What’s next after Your New Name is Legal?

Well, once you’ve completed the entire process, you need to update all personal accounts with the new name. Below is a checklist of some of the things you should update;

• Banks and credit cards 
• Social security card 
• Driver’s license and vehicle registration
• Passport 
• Voter registration

Wrap Up

Everyone who’s contemplating a name change has their reason. This is a legal process that has specific steps to be followed. Whether you’re changing name after marriage or Legally change your name After divorce, ensure you do your research to find out the right procedure to follow.