After a lot of hectic preparations, anxiety, anticipation, and fear, the wedding day comes as a relief for every couple. Planning a wedding is one of the most emotionally and physically draining experiences you can go through. But if you thought the wedding day ushers you to newlywed bliss, you are wrong. There’s still that small but important matter of a legal name change after marriage.
Many newlyweds only realize how important a name change is after the wedding and it causes a lot of problems. If you are a resident of California and you are in the process of planning your wedding, it is important to appreciate the complexities around a name change after marriage.
Traditionally, married women change names after marriage to reflect their new status. However, things have changed and even the husband can change their name during this process. True, the wedding planning has drained your energies but this is an important chore you can’t ignore.
What’s the Time Limit for a name change in California?
For most spouses, a name change is not a priority. After all, it is not mandatory to change a name after marriage. In California, there’s no legal time limit to change your name. However, this does not in any way lessen the importance of a name change.
To appreciate how important it is to change your name fast, you have to look at the name change process and legalities surrounding this process. It will give you an idea of why a name change should top your list of activities after the honeymoon.
The Name Change after Marriage in California
- Name Change Options
A newlywed couple in California has the freedom to do whatever they wish with their names after marriage. The options available include:
- Choosing your spouse's last name: This is the traditional option and remains popular in the state
- Hyphenation: This is a compromise when a married woman doesn’t want to drop her name for professional or personal reasons.
- Blending: You can come up with a hybrid name by combining components of your names.
- Middle name changes: A married woman can take her maiden name as a second middle name. She can also drop the middle name and replace it with a maiden name. In California, this name change option will require a court petition.
- Husband’s name change: In California, the husband can change his name to accommodate the needs of his wife.
While the law allows you to change your name in any way you wish, there are limits on new names. For instance, you can’t use a celebrity’s name or pick an offensive name.
It is advisable to discuss the name change after marriage in detail before the wedding. If overlooked, this can lead to disagreements in late in the wedding planning stages. Learning about the process will give you the options available. It is a good idea to use name change service after marriage to streamline the process and get crucial advice at every stage.
The Name-Change After Marriage Process
Using a marriage certificate is the most common method for a name change in California. It is the easiest option for a legal name change. The process involves:
1. Applying For A Marriage License
A marriage license is a document that allows the marriage to continue. You have to visit the local authorities for one or get one from state agencies such as churches and mosques. When applying for the license, you have to indicate the new name you wish to use after marriage.
2. Get a marriage certificate
After the wedding, you will receive a marriage certificate which is a legal document containing your new name. The names reflect what you used when applying for your marriage license.
3. Certified copies of a marriage certificate
When collecting your marriage certificate, request for several certified copies of the document. These will come in handy when you start sending notifications of the name change.
4. Apply for a new social security card (SSD)
The first thing you do after your honeymoon is to visit the local Social Security Office or download Social Security SS-5 form to apply for a new social security card. Fill out the form and attach you the certified copy of the marriage certificate, proof of identification and residency and the old social security card. Your new card will arrive via mail.
5. Visit the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
After applying for a new social security card, visit the local DMV for a new driver’s license. You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your old driver’s license, the application slip for the social security card, proof of residence and any other required documents.
6. Update your travel documents
After the honeymoon, you should update your passport or any other travel paper you normally use. You will require a certified copy of the marriage certificate, passport photos, and any other required documents. Fill DS-5504 if your passport is less than a year old or DS-82 if it is older. Any changes to your travel documents should only come after your honeymoon to avoid travel hitches.
7. Send name change notifications
After applying for new documents in your new name, you need to notify others about the name change. These include your employer, bank, insurer, utility providers, creditors and debtors, Credit Card Company, family doctor and lawyer, alumni organizations, credit union, subscription services, investment account providers, voter’s registration office and any other relevant parties.
Include a certified copy of your marriage certificate in all your notification letters or emails.
- Using A Court Order For A Name Change In California
If you want to change anything else other than your last name after marriage in California, you have to file a petition for a name change. Married women who would like to change their middle name, for instance, have to go through this process.c
The court process takes around three months but this depends on how busy the courts are at the time. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Download the name change forms: The name change files are available on the California Courts website. These forms are
- Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-100)
- Attachment to Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-110)
- Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (Form NC-120)
- A Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CM-010)
In some courts, you might be required to fill out other forms such as a criminal background form. Before starting filling out the downloaded form, confirm with the court clerk if there are any other local forms required.
2. Fill out the forms and make at least two copies of each. Return the original forms and copies to the court clerk for filing. The court clerk will also give you a court date indicated on the Order to Show Cause form.
3. Pay the required court filing fees
4. Publish the Order to Show Cause in approved newspapers to alert the public. Confirm if this is necessary with the court clerk when filing the forms. You will need to submit proof of the published notice.
5. Decree Changing Name (Form NC-130): A judge will sign this form with or without a hearing to allow your name change. Get several certified copies of the Decree from the court clerk.
6. Using the name change decree: Use the certified copies of the name change decree to apply for a new social security card, driver’s license, and passport. You should also send out notifications of the name change to all institutions, utility providers and professional organizations that use your old name.
Hassle-Free Name Change after Marriage in California
Hopping from one government office to another and spending time in long queues is the last thing in your mind after the honeymoon. All you want to do is settle down and start your new life. You can make life easier by using a name change service after marriage.
The name change process after marriage in California is tedious and enervating. A legal name change service does the hard work for you by availing all the forms you need and instruction in one place. You can now access all the legal steps for the name change in California and get a professional to fill out the necessary forms for you.
Depending on the service package you choose, you can have all the files mailed to the respective offices. You only need to provide your personal details and recipient’s addresses for the process to start. While you still have to visit the local DMV, you will have all the documents with you, thus avoiding the long queues.
These services are a godsend for newlyweds who want to relax but can’t rest until they complete the name change process.
Wrapping Up
While there’s no time limit to change your name after marriage in California, it is important to start the process immediately after your honeymoon. It is a long-winding process and the sooner you get it done, the better. By using a name change service, you can save a lot of time and enjoy the peace of mind that you deserve.
