How Do I Legally Change My First Name?

There is a process involved when you want to legally change your name. This process will apply whether you are changing the first, middle or last name. The process is almost similar in all states. However, a few differences will emerge depending on the circumstances under which you want to change the name. For instance, it is easy if the chance is anchored on your marriage status. With all the papers and justification required, it will be easy to complete the process. If you have criminal or civil cases in court, the process might prove a bit challenging. However, here is a step by step guide on changing your name legally.

Filing a Petition to Change Your Name

You will be required to obtain a petition from the county court. The papers are designed to collect your personal details and allow the court administrator to understand your identity, why you need to change and what you need to change the name to. Beyond the form asking you to provide your identity, it requires you to indicate whether you have active convictions and cases in court. The aim is to certify that the desire to change name is not an attempt to escape legal obligations.

The information given on the petition must be accurate and comprehensive. If the administrators find inconsistencies and errors, your application will be declined or the process will delay as you correct the mistakes. You need to sign the petition and further have it notarized. In most states, police background check is mandatory. You will therefore be required to present a disposition certificate if you have a history of conviction. You can obtain this certificate from the convicting court.

File the petition with the county court clerk. This should be in the county where you live. The court will require you to pay some administrative fees. These fees are determined by what your petition will involve. Complex cases attract higher fees. The fees may also change from one county or state to the other. You will be assigned a case number and given a date for your name change hearing.

It is mandatory to attend court hearing for your name change. The judge uses the opportunity to inquire more about your background and reason for desiring to change your name. The session could last a few minutes if your papers are in order and reasons for changing the name justifiable. The judge will give a ruling, a copy of which will be passed to you by the clerk.

Publishing Your New Name 

There are states that require you to publish your name in the local newspaper. This is meant to alert anyone with an objection. Requirements for publication, including circulation of newspapers and number of times to publish the name will vary from one state to the other. The clerk of the court where you file the petition will provide details on publication. There are instances where publishing the name is risky. The judge will make a ruling on exemption. For instance, if you are a victim of hate crime, rape or witness to a sensitive court case, you will be exempted. The aim is to conceal your identity and protect you from further harm.

The court requires you to return proof of publication after the expiry of the period granted. You will pay for copies of the certified name change order and use it to institute name change on different institutions. You can present the order to the vital records office in your state for processing of the birth certificate under the new name.

Acquiring a New Social Security Card after Name Change

Social Security Administration office requires you to present old identification documents and the order granting change of name. The documents you can present include Driver’s License, old SS card and proof of address, among others. They verify that you are the old owner of the new name. They require two weeks to complete the updating process and issue a new card. The old number is retained as well as previous personal records. Since other institutions refer to Social Security Administration database, they will not find inconsistency in your name or other details. You can them proceed to get a new Driver’s License from the Department of Motor Vehicle, change name in banks, insurance and other institutions.

It might appear hectic to Legally Change Your Name by visiting all the offices and filing petitions. Take a shortcut by engaging professional name change agents who will take up the responsibility. They save you time and allow you to focus on other personal duties yet have your name changed in the shortest time possible. 

How to Legally Change Your Name Back to Your Maiden Name

It is exciting to adapt the name of your spouse or a new name after marriage. However, most people want nothing to do with the name after divorce and therefore want to revert to the maiden name. There is a process involved when you want to Legally change your name After Divorce. With different options available, it will depend on the choice you make. Here are options for you to consider.

During Divorce 

Since most people use the marriage certificate to change their names, the divorce decree can be used to revert to the maiden name. Your attorney is required to make a request to revert back to the maiden name on his application for divorce. Divorce is an easier and solid justification for change of name. Most states accept this option and judges will accept the request with ease. The divorce decree will come with a pronouncement that you have reverted to your old name.

It is possible for the judge to decline your request even when the circumstances appear so logical. If you have a pending court case apart from the uncontested divorce, your request will not be granted. Persons who are convicted must produce a certificate of disposition, issued by the court that had convicted the person. In case you have debts, you will be required to get the consent of debtors in order to change your name.

Once the divorce decree has been signed, you will be issued with a copy. It is this copy that you present to Social Security Administration to obtain a new SS card. Once the SSA has issued a new card, you will use it to change the name at the bank, credit card provider, insurance, and such other offices.

Name Change Decree

The divorce might be contested or you need to change your name faster than the divorce will be concluded. The option available for you is to go to court and obtain a name change decree. The process and requirements will vary from one state to the other. You are required to obtain a form online or from the court and provide details to proof identity. The details provided also give the court justification for name change and the intended new name.

Name Change Decree application also interrogates your civil and criminal record. If you have been convicted or have pending cases, the judge may decline your application. Sexual offenders and those with debts find it difficult to change names if the crimes were committed under the names they wish to change.

Different states may require you to sign additional papers and take on different procedures. These papers could include publication of your name change intentions on public newspapers. There is a statutory period for the changes to be effected. This period will only be obeyed if all your papers are in order. In case someone objects to the name change upon publication, your application will be delayed. The clerk of the court will direct you on the steps to take to facilitate successful change.

All papers should be filed with the clerk of the court to facilitate processing. Each state has statutory fees that are to be paid by all seeking name change. Pay these fees during filing to avoid delays. In case you published the name and there was no objection, you may be granted the reversal without any hearing. However, there are instances where a hearing session may be required. The clerk will notify you about the hearing so that you can attend. Once your hearing is successful, you will be issued with a decree approving reversal to your maiden name. With the signed decree, you can move on to institutions where you need to change your name.

Using the Divorce or Name Change Decree to Change Names Elsewhere 

The decree provides sufficient proof that your change of name has been approved. However, it cannot be used as an identification document. You will be required to present the decree to Social Security Administration office where you will be issued with a new card bearing the new name. The old number and personal records will remain. Use the card to visit the Department of Motor Vehicle and obtain a new Driver’s License. The card also helps you to change your name in banks, insurance companies, school, social associations and any other place you are required to update your name.

Using an Agent to Change Your Name 

It is not mandatory to appear in person unless circumstances and the judge demand when you want to Legally change your name After Divorce. It will save you time and resources to engage experienced agents to handle the process on your behalf. It takes a shorter period and fewer resources to change your name on all platforms and institutions. 

How to Complete Marriage Name Change in Texas With Ease

Texas is one of the best states to get married. It makes it easy for couples to marry by providing lenient conditions. Once your status has changed, you want everyone to recognize that. The best route to take is to have a New Married Name. This enables people to recognize that you have transformed from ‘Miss’ into ‘Mrs.’ The state recognizes the desire for many couples to have a similar name and has therefore made it easy for you to change your name after marriage. Here are tips and the secrets you can follow to make the name change smooth as well as fast. 

Options Available When Changing Your Name after Marriage

The law allows you to change your name to anything you wish. This means that both partners can acquire new identities with ease. Some of the options when you need to change your name include

• Taking the last name of your spouse. This will result in a new name being added to your existing names. You may introduce a hyphen between your original names and the added one or you may allow the names to sound as one. This is easy because it allows you to maintain a large part of your previous identity. If you are a professional, people will recognize the new status while still having memory of the old self. 
• Adopt the last two names of your spouse without adding a hyphen. This change is a bit drastic. It means that you will be adapting almost a new identity and forgetting the old one. The level of scrutiny might be higher in this case because your names will have changed significantly. 
• Take a new name. This is for a couple that wants to have a totally new identity by shedding either of their names. The process involved in this case could be lengthy because you have to file an application at the court. It is easy to add a new name to the existing names than to pick a totally different one. This is why applications and advertisements are required in most states. The new name may be made from hyphenation of your two names or be unrelated to your old names. You make the decision on the name to choose. 

Change a name while collecting your marriage certificate is easy because it is proof that you have adopted a new name. In fact, you are not required to make any application or advertisement in the process. However, the sail is not always smooth for anyone who wants to be referred by a new name. The application to have your name changed may still be rejected even when it is based on marriage certificate. 

• Criminal acts- if you have a pending civil or criminal case, the court and even the registration office will decline to grant your application. The argument is that you are using the opportunity to escape justice. The court will order that you hold the application until the case has been resolved. 
• Escaping debts- has anyone filed a civil complaint about debt that you owe them? Authorities will decline to approve your application. If the name changes, it will be difficult to trace you since the history of your old name is erased. This is why the administration refuses to approve your application on the basis of pending debts. 
• Intent to commit criminal acts- if authorities establish that you are changing your name in order to conceal your identity and commit crimes, they will not grant your request. This applies even when you have been married. This is why you must declare your reasons for desiring to change your name despite the fact that you have been married. 
• Impersonate a popular figure- some people have names that sound like those of celebrities and other popular figures. They could easily pass as their namesakes. If you wish to change your name in order to resemble any of these figures, administrators will decline your application. However, you still have a chance to change to whichever name you wish because no one has a copyright to a name. Whether you are granted the wish will depend on how well you convince the authorities. 

Authorities may decline your application for any reason that they deem sufficient. However, it is your convincing power that will determine whether the application is approved or declined. You will be required to provide all supporting documents and have no hidden agenda when making the application. 

What next after getting the marriage certificate?

A marriage certificate in your new name appears as the ultimate step towards changing your name. While the certificate is a game changer, you still have a long way to go before you can be officially recognized with the new name. Because of increase in cases of identity theft, organizations are requiring consistency in names appearing on different documents. This makes it necessary to change your name officially on all documents used for identification. You will also need to update your name in institutions where you transact or have records. For instance, if you appear at the counter of your bank with an identification document that reads a different name, you will be suspected of identity theft. 

The change of name after obtaining the marriage certificate is a process. Here is a guide that will make it easy to update your name of all platforms and transform your identity completely. 

• Social Security Administration

This is your first stop after getting the marriage certificate with your new desired name. Organizations and government departments get their data from Social Security Administration. Once you have updated the name at the SSA office, you can use the new Social Security card to update the name on other platforms. 

The SSA office will require you to bring the previous proof of identity. Your driving license will serve the purpose. You will also be required to present the marriage certificate that bears your new name. Proof of address will also be used in confirming your personal details for update on the SSA database. 

The process of changing the name at SSA office takes two weeks. While you will be issued with a new SS card bearing your new name, the old details will remain captured in the system. You will maintain the old social security number. Once the name has been updated on the social security platform, it leaves you free to change your name on all other platforms like banks and social organizations. 

• Department of Motor Vehicle 

Make the Department of Motor Vehicle your next stop after Social Security Administration. The department will produce a new Driver’s License that can be used for identification purposes. DMV also enables you to change ownership details on the vehicle to be consistent with those of your Social Security card. In case the vehicle is co-owned, the other owner must be informed about the change of name. At the DMV, you can update your voter details to reflect the changes. You need to present the old identification documents like the Driver’s License and the new Social Security card. It helps to confirm your previous and present identities. 

• Financial Institutions 

Banks and institutions dealing with finances are extra careful about the identity of their customers. They will therefore demand that your name matches with that which appears on your Social Security card. The institutions where you are supposed to update your name include banks, mortgage companies, credit unions and insurance companies, among others. Your credit card name will also have to change. You might be required to visit the office directly, send an email or just call, depending on their verification procedures. It will be difficult and even almost impossible to transact without synchronizing the names.

• Social Circles 

Update your name and personal details in your social circles. This includes social groups like alumni associations, estate association, church and other welfare organizations where you are a member. Your names also need to correspond at postal services to ensure that your letters are not returned to sender. This could take a brief email or even a phone call to complete. Utility services providers also need to get an update on the name. Though they may not be too sensitive about the name, ensuring consistency will reduce confusion and make service provision easier for them. 

To ease the process of name change after marriage, it is advisable that you buy more certified copies of your marriage certification. Since this is the document you are using as your basis for name change, more copies will give you a chance apply for change in many institutions at the same time. This reduces the time it takes to complete name change. 

Use the Agency to Change Your Name 

The process of changing to your New Married Name appears hectic because you are required to move from one office to another. You can enlist the services of an agent that will move from one office to the other and also make applications on your behalf. This helps to speed up the process and will even cost less. You do not have to stop all your activities in order to make applications.