It is exciting to be married. You want to live together forever, create a new identity and also build up new and beautiful memories. This can only happen when you share an identity. The best way to do this is through legal name change.
Having wedded the other day, you have a lot on your mind. You need to settle down and learn the corners of your new town. You have new friends to know and neighbors to learn about. Everywhere, you are required to introduce yourself appropriately. Changing the name becomes inevitable. However, the process is not as easy as picking a nickname and beginning to use it immediately. There is a legal process involved and that must be completed by everyone who wants to change a name in New York.
Documents Required to Change Your Name Legally
The main document to successfully change your name in New York is your marriage certificate. It provides proof for name change to eliminate suspicion and make name change easy. The certificate is obtained as a certified copy or the original from the officer who officiated your marriage. It will be provided to you physically when you visit the office or be mailed on request as long as you pay the mailing fees. With the copy of your marriage certificate, you can proceed to change your name to what you desire with little hitches.
• Social Security Office
This is the first stop whenever you want your name changed legally after marriage. The social security card acts as your official identifier in New York. The Social Security Administration will update your name on official records and in the process issue you with a new card. The number of your card and the data entered in the system under your name will remain as they were. This means that you will be entitled to all benefits that were enjoyed under the previous name.
The new card will enable you to visit other departments and offices for name change. You cannot change your name online and have it reflect at the Social Security Administration office. You are required to visit the office in person to have your name changed. Alternatively, you engage an agent who visits the offices and files the papers. This is easier because you are not forced to queue for hours or travel to the office while you abandon your duties. There are SSA offices in neighborhoods, making it easier to change your name.
The documents you will be required to present at the Social Security Administration office include
• Marriage certificate – it must bear the name you want to change to.
• Proof of identity- you can use your old documents to proof your identity at the SSA office. This includes the old social security card, driving license, passport and even school ID. There are situations where employer ID, military ID card and even insurance cards are accepted. However, you must proof that the official documents are not easy to access.
• You must proof that you are a US citizen. This could be through a birth certificate, certificates of naturalization and citizenship or even a Consular Report of Birth.
Change of name through the legal process is free in New York State. You must submit original documents or certified copies for your application to be accepted. Some offices may charge a small fee to have the documents certified. The fact that you have made your application does not mean that it is successful. You will have to wait for approvals from the office, which will be mailed to you or you will be notified to collect the approval within a few days.
The process of name change does not end at the Social Security Administration office. All other documents should be changed to reflect the new changes in status. Here are places you need to visit to ensure that your name and personal details are updated.
• Department of Motor Vehicle- visit the DMV with your old license to have them update and issue you with a new one bearing the new name. Carry old identity documents and the new social security card bearing the new name. This is also an opportunity to change the details of vehicles you may own as well as voter roll details.
• Bank and other financial institutions- visit the bank to have your name changed to avoid inconsistencies. Other financial institutions like Saccos, mortgage companies and credit card companies should be informed.
Does the process of legal name change appear hectic to you? Hire a professional agent to complete the process of your behalf. The charges are reasonable but will save you a lot of trouble moving from one office to the other and filling papers you do not understand.
Having wedded the other day, you have a lot on your mind. You need to settle down and learn the corners of your new town. You have new friends to know and neighbors to learn about. Everywhere, you are required to introduce yourself appropriately. Changing the name becomes inevitable. However, the process is not as easy as picking a nickname and beginning to use it immediately. There is a legal process involved and that must be completed by everyone who wants to change a name in New York.
Documents Required to Change Your Name Legally
The main document to successfully change your name in New York is your marriage certificate. It provides proof for name change to eliminate suspicion and make name change easy. The certificate is obtained as a certified copy or the original from the officer who officiated your marriage. It will be provided to you physically when you visit the office or be mailed on request as long as you pay the mailing fees. With the copy of your marriage certificate, you can proceed to change your name to what you desire with little hitches.
• Social Security Office
This is the first stop whenever you want your name changed legally after marriage. The social security card acts as your official identifier in New York. The Social Security Administration will update your name on official records and in the process issue you with a new card. The number of your card and the data entered in the system under your name will remain as they were. This means that you will be entitled to all benefits that were enjoyed under the previous name.
The new card will enable you to visit other departments and offices for name change. You cannot change your name online and have it reflect at the Social Security Administration office. You are required to visit the office in person to have your name changed. Alternatively, you engage an agent who visits the offices and files the papers. This is easier because you are not forced to queue for hours or travel to the office while you abandon your duties. There are SSA offices in neighborhoods, making it easier to change your name.
The documents you will be required to present at the Social Security Administration office include
• Marriage certificate – it must bear the name you want to change to.
• Proof of identity- you can use your old documents to proof your identity at the SSA office. This includes the old social security card, driving license, passport and even school ID. There are situations where employer ID, military ID card and even insurance cards are accepted. However, you must proof that the official documents are not easy to access.
• You must proof that you are a US citizen. This could be through a birth certificate, certificates of naturalization and citizenship or even a Consular Report of Birth.
Change of name through the legal process is free in New York State. You must submit original documents or certified copies for your application to be accepted. Some offices may charge a small fee to have the documents certified. The fact that you have made your application does not mean that it is successful. You will have to wait for approvals from the office, which will be mailed to you or you will be notified to collect the approval within a few days.
The process of name change does not end at the Social Security Administration office. All other documents should be changed to reflect the new changes in status. Here are places you need to visit to ensure that your name and personal details are updated.
• Department of Motor Vehicle- visit the DMV with your old license to have them update and issue you with a new one bearing the new name. Carry old identity documents and the new social security card bearing the new name. This is also an opportunity to change the details of vehicles you may own as well as voter roll details.
• Bank and other financial institutions- visit the bank to have your name changed to avoid inconsistencies. Other financial institutions like Saccos, mortgage companies and credit card companies should be informed.
Does the process of legal name change appear hectic to you? Hire a professional agent to complete the process of your behalf. The charges are reasonable but will save you a lot of trouble moving from one office to the other and filling papers you do not understand.
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