During a marriage process, there are many major decisions to make among them the name you will use afterward. In most cases, it is expected that the bride will take the spouse’s name as a sign of the change in status. These days, it is also possible to make other names after marriage including hyphenated names among others. The bottom-line is that this is something you should include in your priority list. If you decide to change name to married name, you have to go through a legal process and like with all government processes, it is a winding one. Many spouses who would have liked to take up new names after marriage has dithered due to lack of information or the fear of making a move.
If you plan to change your name after getting married, this is a detailed guide that will help you through the process. While the name change requirements vary from state to state, the process is similar and you should find it easy to get on with it. After all, they say information is power, and you will thus find it easier to get started. Read on.
1. Get a Marriage Certificate With Your New Name
The most important step in the name change process after marriage is getting your new name reflected in a marriage certificate. It is important to appreciate that a marriage license which is the document that allows the wedding to go on is not the official document that you need.
When applying for a license, make sure you use the new name because this will reflect on the marriage certificate. This legal document comes after the wedding and carries the new name of each spouse. Once you get hold of the marriage certificate, pay for several certified copies because they will come in handy in the other steps you will take to formalize your new name. All this you will do at the court clerk’s office.
2. Update Your Social Security Card (SSD)
Your social security card is the most important document every citizen in the U.S must. It is the one the government uses to identify you with and in case of any changes to your particulars; you need to update this on the government’s database. You will not apply for a new social security number but instead, you will update the name change to help the government continue offering the best services.
The SSD update happens online and you need to visit the Social Security Administration and down the security card update form. Fill the form and remember to use your new name on the documents. once you do this, attach the following documents to your application:
i. Valid passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate which is proof of citizenship
ii. Certified copy of your marriage certificate which process you have changed your name.
iii. Photo ID
iv. Proof of identity which could be a valid passport, U.S. Military identification card, valid driver's license or valid state-issued identification card.
v. The current social security card
Within ten working days, you should have your new security card with your new name reflected. Remember it is only your new name after marriage that changes on your card and there is no further action to take on the card.
3. Visit the Local DMV For a New Driver’s License
Your driver’s license is another crucial identification document and if you have made any changes to your name, the same must reflect on your DL. To initiate the process, you have to visit the local DMV office. It is advisable to wait at last 24-48 hours after applying for your social security card before heading out to the DMV office. This ensures your new data reflects on the government database. You have to do this in person and you need to bring along the following documents:
i. Your new Social Security card or paperwork/receipt showing you have applied for a new card
ii. Certified copy of your marriage certificate
iii. Current driver's license.
iv. New driver’s license fee which varies from state to state
v. Proof of residence in your state (you can bring your insurance documents, lease/mortgage documents, bill or bank statement mailed to your current home address.
4. Update Your Passport/ Travel Document
Now, this is a very crucial step for newlyweds because there are most likely plans to travel. It is important to understand that while you need new travel documents reflecting your new name, they might take time and this can disrupt your travel plans. In most cases, you have booked your trip under your maiden name and if you update the passport before travel, it can lead to big problems. For this reason, you can update your passport after you come back from your honeymoon.
In case you have no plans to travel, you can update your travel papers on the U.S. Department of State website. For the passport update, you don’t need to visit any government office because the website has everything you need and you only need to mail the necessary documents. When applying for a new passport, you need the following:
i. A new passport photo (2 x 2 inches in size)
ii. A certified copy of your marriage certificate
iii. For passports less than a year old complete form DS-5504 and your new book will be free
iv. For a passport older than one year, complete and submit Form DS-82
v. Current passport or travel documents
vi. For a Global Entry card, you will need to visit your nearest Enrollment Center after updating your passport.
5. Start Updating Your Name With Relevant Institutions
Once you have acquired these critical legal documents bearing your new name, you will move to another important step in the name change process. This entails updating all institutions and organizations that use your maiden name. It is important to initiate the process early to avoid inconveniences in the future. Some of these institutions include:
To send notifications of your new name, you need a certified copy of your marriage license, new Social Security card and your new driver's license. Some institutions and organizations might have other specific requirements based on the services they offer and you should meet all their requirements for the new name to take effect.
6. Use an Online Name Change Service
Looking at the name change process after marriage, it is obvious that it is a lot of work. After going through a hectic wedding process, the last thing you want is to start filling out forms and hopping from one government office to the next. At least you need time to relax and settle down but at the same time, the name change is crucial for your life to continue seamlessly. To overcome this challenge, you should use an online name change service.
A name change service removes the hassle from the process by availing all the documentation you need in one place and filling out the necessary documents for you. You don’t have to search for the required documents because these experts are up-to-date with the legal requirements and ensure you have everything needed to get started. You can choose a name change package that suits your needs and budget.
On the name change website, you will get the documents required after signing up. You can request these documents and complete or opt for these professionals to fill them out depending on the name change package you choose. The idea is to make a name change after marriage a stress-free experience by offering tailored solutions to help you out. These experts also offer invaluable resources to help you understand what the name change after marriage process entails. If you have no idea how to go about a legal name change, these experts will guide you through it all.
In addition to making the process hassle-free, a name change service also saves you a lot of time. While you will still need to visit your local DMV office for your new driver’s license, you will have all the required documents already filled out. This saves you time and the stress of having to queue for hours in the crowded DMV offices. Most couples dread the name change process but if you have no idea where to start, an online name change service is the best option for you.
If you have plans to change name to married name, there is nothing to fear. Yes, you have heard discouraging stories about the red tape and waiting but with this information, it is easy to get started and complete the name change quickly. What’s more, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by working with an online legal name change company to complete the process. It will save you the stress and time it normally takes to complete a legal name change after marriage.
If you plan to change your name after getting married, this is a detailed guide that will help you through the process. While the name change requirements vary from state to state, the process is similar and you should find it easy to get on with it. After all, they say information is power, and you will thus find it easier to get started. Read on.
1. Get a Marriage Certificate With Your New Name
The most important step in the name change process after marriage is getting your new name reflected in a marriage certificate. It is important to appreciate that a marriage license which is the document that allows the wedding to go on is not the official document that you need.
When applying for a license, make sure you use the new name because this will reflect on the marriage certificate. This legal document comes after the wedding and carries the new name of each spouse. Once you get hold of the marriage certificate, pay for several certified copies because they will come in handy in the other steps you will take to formalize your new name. All this you will do at the court clerk’s office.
2. Update Your Social Security Card (SSD)
Your social security card is the most important document every citizen in the U.S must. It is the one the government uses to identify you with and in case of any changes to your particulars; you need to update this on the government’s database. You will not apply for a new social security number but instead, you will update the name change to help the government continue offering the best services.
The SSD update happens online and you need to visit the Social Security Administration and down the security card update form. Fill the form and remember to use your new name on the documents. once you do this, attach the following documents to your application:
i. Valid passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate which is proof of citizenship
ii. Certified copy of your marriage certificate which process you have changed your name.
iii. Photo ID
iv. Proof of identity which could be a valid passport, U.S. Military identification card, valid driver's license or valid state-issued identification card.
v. The current social security card
Within ten working days, you should have your new security card with your new name reflected. Remember it is only your new name after marriage that changes on your card and there is no further action to take on the card.
3. Visit the Local DMV For a New Driver’s License
Your driver’s license is another crucial identification document and if you have made any changes to your name, the same must reflect on your DL. To initiate the process, you have to visit the local DMV office. It is advisable to wait at last 24-48 hours after applying for your social security card before heading out to the DMV office. This ensures your new data reflects on the government database. You have to do this in person and you need to bring along the following documents:
i. Your new Social Security card or paperwork/receipt showing you have applied for a new card
ii. Certified copy of your marriage certificate
iii. Current driver's license.
iv. New driver’s license fee which varies from state to state
v. Proof of residence in your state (you can bring your insurance documents, lease/mortgage documents, bill or bank statement mailed to your current home address.
4. Update Your Passport/ Travel Document
Now, this is a very crucial step for newlyweds because there are most likely plans to travel. It is important to understand that while you need new travel documents reflecting your new name, they might take time and this can disrupt your travel plans. In most cases, you have booked your trip under your maiden name and if you update the passport before travel, it can lead to big problems. For this reason, you can update your passport after you come back from your honeymoon.
In case you have no plans to travel, you can update your travel papers on the U.S. Department of State website. For the passport update, you don’t need to visit any government office because the website has everything you need and you only need to mail the necessary documents. When applying for a new passport, you need the following:
i. A new passport photo (2 x 2 inches in size)
ii. A certified copy of your marriage certificate
iii. For passports less than a year old complete form DS-5504 and your new book will be free
iv. For a passport older than one year, complete and submit Form DS-82
v. Current passport or travel documents
vi. For a Global Entry card, you will need to visit your nearest Enrollment Center after updating your passport.
5. Start Updating Your Name With Relevant Institutions
Once you have acquired these critical legal documents bearing your new name, you will move to another important step in the name change process. This entails updating all institutions and organizations that use your maiden name. It is important to initiate the process early to avoid inconveniences in the future. Some of these institutions include:
- Mortgage, Rent, and Utility Companies
- Credit and Debit Card company
- Insurance providers
- Your employer
- Your bank and other financial institutions
- Your attorney
- Learning institutions
- Newspaper and Magazine subscriptions
- Online subscriptions
To send notifications of your new name, you need a certified copy of your marriage license, new Social Security card and your new driver's license. Some institutions and organizations might have other specific requirements based on the services they offer and you should meet all their requirements for the new name to take effect.
6. Use an Online Name Change Service
Looking at the name change process after marriage, it is obvious that it is a lot of work. After going through a hectic wedding process, the last thing you want is to start filling out forms and hopping from one government office to the next. At least you need time to relax and settle down but at the same time, the name change is crucial for your life to continue seamlessly. To overcome this challenge, you should use an online name change service.
A name change service removes the hassle from the process by availing all the documentation you need in one place and filling out the necessary documents for you. You don’t have to search for the required documents because these experts are up-to-date with the legal requirements and ensure you have everything needed to get started. You can choose a name change package that suits your needs and budget.
On the name change website, you will get the documents required after signing up. You can request these documents and complete or opt for these professionals to fill them out depending on the name change package you choose. The idea is to make a name change after marriage a stress-free experience by offering tailored solutions to help you out. These experts also offer invaluable resources to help you understand what the name change after marriage process entails. If you have no idea how to go about a legal name change, these experts will guide you through it all.
In addition to making the process hassle-free, a name change service also saves you a lot of time. While you will still need to visit your local DMV office for your new driver’s license, you will have all the required documents already filled out. This saves you time and the stress of having to queue for hours in the crowded DMV offices. Most couples dread the name change process but if you have no idea where to start, an online name change service is the best option for you.
If you have plans to change name to married name, there is nothing to fear. Yes, you have heard discouraging stories about the red tape and waiting but with this information, it is easy to get started and complete the name change quickly. What’s more, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by working with an online legal name change company to complete the process. It will save you the stress and time it normally takes to complete a legal name change after marriage.
