Why’s the Number of People changing their Names Growing?

There is a growing number of people changing their names. But why is that? What are the possible reasons for which you can change your name? There has been a cultural shift in how people perceive identity. People no longer stick with a name they don’t like when the name change process is pretty straightforward.

Social media has also significantly contributed to this new trend. People have realized that they not only have control over what they’re called online; they can make it official as well.

Of course, there are also more traditional reasons like Changing Name After Marriage and Legally change your name After divorce. Brides dropping their maiden name and taking up the grooms last name has been a traditional practice since time immemorial. 

Whatever reason you have for changing your name, there is a process to it. It’s always advisable to seek professional assistance to expedite the entire process.

1. Changing Name after Marriage

This is the most familiar reason for changing your name. Even though times have changed, and some prefer to keep do it their own way, it’s still a pretty common practice. 

Before changing name after marriage, couples have to wait two weeks for their marriage certificate to come out. The entire process requires you to provide proof of marriage. 

You are advised to use a certified copy of their marriage certificate and keep the original document. 

Note that each state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to this name change process. Ensure you research to find out what restrictions you should abide by. 

HitchSwitch has amazing packages to ensure you don’t go through the hassle of going from one government office to the next. This legal name change service gives you online access to all paperwork you need to Changing Name After Marriage.

2. Legally change your name after divorce

If a married couple decides to get a divorce down the line, the wife can drop her husband's last name and take back her maiden name. The wife would need a divorce decree for this to happen.

The couple will have to go for court proceedings at the county’s courthouse. A divorce decree can only be issued once the divorce is final.

A divorce decree is a legal name changing document that authorizes you to Legally change your name After divorce. You’ll need to provide it to complete several steps of your name change.

In case you want a surname different from the one indicated on the divorce decree, you’ll need to file a petition to make the necessary modifications. 

If your petition is rejected, you’ll have to go through a court-ordered name change. 

3. A Court-ordered Name Change 

For reasons other than marriage and divorce, you need a court order to proceed with your name change. This could be because you don’t like your current name, or you’ve changed your gender. Other reasons include;

• Taking up your father’s surname if you were born out of wedlock or adopted
• If you have a name that’s difficult to spell and pronounce 
• If you want to dentify with a foreign nationality
• For religious reasons
• For political or entertainment statements

Everyone is entitled to personal preference, and this includes the name they want to be known by. 

For most states you need to file your name change in court. However, there are counties where this is not necessary. Checking your state’s legal name changing laws ensures you follow the right procedure.

To get a court order, you’ll need to file a petition with the state’s court clerk. Once the petition has been approved, you can begin the name change process. You can change your name to anything you want as long as you abide by the following restrictions;

• You cannot change your name if the intention is to escape a criminal offence or evade paying a debt you owe
• Your petition cannot be approved if you’re changing your name to commit a crime 
• You cannot be allowed to take up the name of a famous person to mislead people 
• Your name should not include numbers or symbols 
• You should not take up a name that’s offensive (racial slur, threatening)

What’s next after Your New Name is Legal?

Well, once you’ve completed the entire process, you need to update all personal accounts with the new name. Below is a checklist of some of the things you should update;

• Banks and credit cards 
• Social security card 
• Driver’s license and vehicle registration
• Passport 
• Voter registration

Wrap Up

Everyone who’s contemplating a name change has their reason. This is a legal process that has specific steps to be followed. Whether you’re changing name after marriage or Legally change your name After divorce, ensure you do your research to find out the right procedure to follow.