Changing Your Name Legally: Few Points to Remember

Changing the name that your parents had thought fit for you years ago can be an uphill task at times. True that it may sound easy now, but once you take the decision to adopt a new identity, you will gradually realize that the process is pretty lengthy with several complications. But that does not mean that you cannot take on a new name if you wish to, whatever the reason(s) might be. With a change in name, you will realize that there are certain important things that you need to change now as well. Read on for what takes place when you decide to legally change your name after marriage, or divorce.

Precaution is better than Cure

To begin with, you will have to change the name on your bank account, passport, driver’s license, voter’s registration, legal will, social security card and title deeds – anything that includes any contract carrying your old name. Before proceeding further, you are thus advised to do your little bit of research regarding the possible problems that may arise in future.

General Procedures to Change your Name

In order to legally change your name, you will have to fill in different forms in court. You will easily get these forms from State government websites. These forms usually ask straightforward questions where you will have to provide a reason behind changing your name. You will be asked to promise that you will not use your new name to commit any criminal offence or escape debt. These same forms are also used to change back names after divorce.

The forms used for this purpose commonly include an order to show cause for the change in name, a petition to change your name legally and also a decree to the same effect. Fill the requirements and carry the form along with the necessary filing fees to the clerk at the court and file it. Usually, a magistrate or a judge will grant your name change after reviewing the case. Sometimes a more formal advertisement of your new name is required by the State, which is fulfilled by posting a notice in the local newspaper. In case you desire to legally change your name after marriage, posting an engagement announcement in the papers is considered a sufficient formal advertisement.

Post-marriage Name Change

Marriage is one of the events that often lead to a change in name - mostly for women and sometimes for the men too. In case of a divorce, you can choose to legally change back to your maiden name if you so desire. However, a marriage license that has your new last name does not mean that you have changed your name officially. This is just the beginning of the process. Endless queues at the motor vehicle bureau and the social security office are eagerly waiting for you! Keep your original marriage license and copies of the same handy before you stand in these lines to get your name changed, legally.

Do you wish to apply for name change after a divorce? The procedure is mostly the same, with a few tweaks in between.