Difference between revisions of "Change Your Last Name"
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===Changing Your Name After Marriage=== | ===Changing Your Name After Marriage=== | ||
#Wait until after you get off the plane. If you're going on a honeymoon immediately after your wedding, book your travel under your maiden name. When you arrive at the airport, your passport and/or driver’s license will still be in your maiden name, so your tickets need to be as well. | #Wait until after you get off the plane. If you're going on a honeymoon immediately after your wedding, book your travel under your maiden name. When you arrive at the airport, your passport and/or driver’s license will still be in your maiden name, so your tickets need to be as well. | ||
| − | #*It takes 4-6 weeks for your passport to be processed.<ref>http://travel.state.gov/passport/processing/processing_1740.html</ref> If you have this amount of time before your honeymoon, you may take action immediately after your wedding. It is possible to expedite the process, but why take the risk? | + | #*It takes 4-6 weeks for your passport to be processed.<ref name="rf17323">http://travel.state.gov/passport/processing/processing_1740.html</ref> If you have this amount of time before your honeymoon, you may take action immediately after your wedding. It is possible to expedite the process, but why take the risk? |
#Inform your employer that your name will be changing. If possible, give them a target date for when you expect to have your new name. If you regularly receive checks from anyone else (such as tenants), inform them as well. | #Inform your employer that your name will be changing. If possible, give them a target date for when you expect to have your new name. If you regularly receive checks from anyone else (such as tenants), inform them as well. | ||
| − | #Apply for a new Social Security card (US only). In order to change your name on your driver's license, insurance, bank account, and so on, you'll need to be issued a new Social Security card first. In a few situations, they may say you need a court order; if so, you can find directions to that at the bottom of this page. But odds are you probably won't.<ref | + | #Apply for a new Social Security card (US only). In order to change your name on your driver's license, insurance, bank account, and so on, you'll need to be issued a new Social Security card first. In a few situations, they may say you need a court order; if so, you can find directions to that at the bottom of this page. But odds are you probably won't.<ref name="rf13223" /> Repeat: ''You do not need a court order.'' |
#*The need for a new card applies to all last-name changes in the US, including names that are changed upon marriage, divorce, naturalization as a US citizen, or a court order (i.e., changing the name of a minor in the case of adoption, or for identity protection). | #*The need for a new card applies to all last-name changes in the US, including names that are changed upon marriage, divorce, naturalization as a US citizen, or a court order (i.e., changing the name of a minor in the case of adoption, or for identity protection). | ||
#*Download and complete the [http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/315/~/change-a-name-on-a-social-security-card SS-5 form]. | #*Download and complete the [http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/315/~/change-a-name-on-a-social-security-card SS-5 form]. | ||
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#*Some states will allow you to keep your old license with a hole punched in it. This invalidates your license as a primary photo ID, but it still shows your picture and your old name. With your old ID, you may be able to move on to other steps without your new ID. Check with your DMV to see if this is possible. | #*Some states will allow you to keep your old license with a hole punched in it. This invalidates your license as a primary photo ID, but it still shows your picture and your old name. With your old ID, you may be able to move on to other steps without your new ID. Check with your DMV to see if this is possible. | ||
#Take care of the small stuff. Change your name on your bank accounts, credit cards, insurance, licenses, passport, investments, tax forms, and any other official documents containing your old last name. Now that you have two forms of identification (your new social security card and your new driver's license), you can go about changing your name on all of your other legal and financial interests. | #Take care of the small stuff. Change your name on your bank accounts, credit cards, insurance, licenses, passport, investments, tax forms, and any other official documents containing your old last name. Now that you have two forms of identification (your new social security card and your new driver's license), you can go about changing your name on all of your other legal and financial interests. | ||
| − | #*To change your name on your passport, you'll need the Form DS-5504, completed, along with a certified copy of your marriage license and a small photograph of you. Where you mail it to will be listed on the form.<ref>http://travel.state.gov/passport/correcting/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html</ref> It is available online.<ref>http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds5504/ds5504_2663.html</ref> | + | #*To change your name on your passport, you'll need the Form DS-5504, completed, along with a certified copy of your marriage license and a small photograph of you. Where you mail it to will be listed on the form.<ref name="rf17324">http://travel.state.gov/passport/correcting/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html</ref> It is available online.<ref name="rf17325">http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds5504/ds5504_2663.html</ref> |
#*Visit your employer's human resources department as soon as possible, so that you can start receiving your paychecks with your new name, as well as for withholding taxes. Yippee, no tax evasion accusations for you! | #*Visit your employer's human resources department as soon as possible, so that you can start receiving your paychecks with your new name, as well as for withholding taxes. Yippee, no tax evasion accusations for you! | ||
#*If you are a licensed professional, change your name with the licensing board and any associated organizations. Many will require a copy of the marriage license or other official legal proof of the name change. | #*If you are a licensed professional, change your name with the licensing board and any associated organizations. Many will require a copy of the marriage license or other official legal proof of the name change. | ||
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===Filing a General Name Change Petition=== | ===Filing a General Name Change Petition=== | ||
#Go to your local court clerk. He or she will be able to fill you in all the information you need to change your name. You'll be given the Form NC-100 (the petition to change your name), in addition the the Form NC-110, 120, and Form CM-010 to take to a notary public. This is all extra legal stuff about cause, publishing and establishing your specific case for the court review. | #Go to your local court clerk. He or she will be able to fill you in all the information you need to change your name. You'll be given the Form NC-100 (the petition to change your name), in addition the the Form NC-110, 120, and Form CM-010 to take to a notary public. This is all extra legal stuff about cause, publishing and establishing your specific case for the court review. | ||
| − | #*You'll generally need a semi-legitimate reason to change your name. Unless you try to change it to a number, something offensive, or a celebrity's name, they'll probably say yes. One guy even changed his name to "They."<ref>http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Man-Legally-Changes-Name-To-They-2692203.php</ref> | + | #*You'll generally need a semi-legitimate reason to change your name. Unless you try to change it to a number, something offensive, or a celebrity's name, they'll probably say yes. One guy even changed his name to "They."<ref name="rf17326">http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Man-Legally-Changes-Name-To-They-2692203.php</ref> |
#*You may be able to find all the paperwork online. Do a quick search before you load up the car. It's possible you can print them out and go straight to the bank. | #*You may be able to find all the paperwork online. Do a quick search before you load up the car. It's possible you can print them out and go straight to the bank. | ||
#*Always keep copies! The people at the courthouse are humans and things can get lost, so keep a copy for yourself. | #*Always keep copies! The people at the courthouse are humans and things can get lost, so keep a copy for yourself. | ||
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#Publish the order in the newspaper. Seems kind of archaic, doesn't it? But some courts still require that you publish the order to Show Cause for Change of Name once a week for three or four weeks in a row. <ref name=ca/><ref name=mo>http://www.selfrepresent.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=3834</ref> It'd be more resonant if they had you place it on Twitter, huh? | #Publish the order in the newspaper. Seems kind of archaic, doesn't it? But some courts still require that you publish the order to Show Cause for Change of Name once a week for three or four weeks in a row. <ref name=ca/><ref name=mo>http://www.selfrepresent.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=3834</ref> It'd be more resonant if they had you place it on Twitter, huh? | ||
#*You will have to pay a cost for publication. This varies paper to paper, region to region. Even if you get your court fee waived, it will not waive this fee. | #*You will have to pay a cost for publication. This varies paper to paper, region to region. Even if you get your court fee waived, it will not waive this fee. | ||
| − | #*You may have reason to keep your name change confidential. If so, the courts will understand, assist you, and this will not be part of your name changing process.<ref>http://www.courts.ca.gov/1054.htm#acc3157</ref> | + | #*You may have reason to keep your name change confidential. If so, the courts will understand, assist you, and this will not be part of your name changing process.<ref name="rf17327">http://www.courts.ca.gov/1054.htm#acc3157</ref> |
#Have the hearing. In some cases, you will be required to attend in person. Others, not.<ref name=mo/> You will be informed of what your specific circumstances are. If successful, the judge will sign your NC-130, which you can then take with you in changing your passport, driver's license, and the rest of your life, really. | #Have the hearing. In some cases, you will be required to attend in person. Others, not.<ref name=mo/> You will be informed of what your specific circumstances are. If successful, the judge will sign your NC-130, which you can then take with you in changing your passport, driver's license, and the rest of your life, really. | ||
#*The process for going about changing everything else is outlined in the above ''Changing Your Name After Marriage'' section. In general, when you're making your rounds at the Social Security Office or the DMV, bring your birth certificate and all your paperwork with you, in addition to a good, long book. | #*The process for going about changing everything else is outlined in the above ''Changing Your Name After Marriage'' section. In general, when you're making your rounds at the Social Security Office or the DMV, bring your birth certificate and all your paperwork with you, in addition to a good, long book. | ||
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#If you live in the UK, [[Change Your Name by Deed Poll (UK)|change your name by deed poll]]. You're in luck -- the process is pretty easy. The meat of the application is you promising to use your new name in good faith. Luck you! | #If you live in the UK, [[Change Your Name by Deed Poll (UK)|change your name by deed poll]]. You're in luck -- the process is pretty easy. The meat of the application is you promising to use your new name in good faith. Luck you! | ||
#*Once obtained, all you need do is send copies of your Deed Poll to the various organizations that have your information. It's almost like magic compared to the US procedure. | #*Once obtained, all you need do is send copies of your Deed Poll to the various organizations that have your information. It's almost like magic compared to the US procedure. | ||
| − | #If you are a minor, get one parent to support your name change. All you need is one. The other (if present) needs to be informed and can contest the proposal, but you can still get the court hearing. The judge will determine which side he agrees with and you can go from there.<ref>http://www.courts.ca.gov/22583.htm</ref> | + | #If you are a minor, get one parent to support your name change. All you need is one. The other (if present) needs to be informed and can contest the proposal, but you can still get the court hearing. The judge will determine which side he agrees with and you can go from there.<ref name="rf17328">http://www.courts.ca.gov/22583.htm</ref> |
#*Each state is a bit different. Talk to your parents and figure out what the regulations on name changes for minors are. A guardian can take the place of a parent if the situation calls for it.<ref name=mo/> | #*Each state is a bit different. Talk to your parents and figure out what the regulations on name changes for minors are. A guardian can take the place of a parent if the situation calls for it.<ref name=mo/> | ||
| − | #Take into account the "usage" method. Sort of like common-law marriage, if you've used a name for long enough, your court may recognize it with zero paperwork done on your behalf. Currently 46 states do so.<ref>http://uclalawreview.org/pdf/57-1-7.pdf</ref> The exceptions are Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, and Oklahoma. That being said, before you assume anything, it's best to check. | + | #Take into account the "usage" method. Sort of like common-law marriage, if you've used a name for long enough, your court may recognize it with zero paperwork done on your behalf. Currently 46 states do so.<ref name="rf17329">http://uclalawreview.org/pdf/57-1-7.pdf</ref> The exceptions are Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, and Oklahoma. That being said, before you assume anything, it's best to check. |
#*However, even if this applies to you, your bank and other institutions may not buy it. They may require other documentation that you don't have. If this is the case, you'll have to file a petition. | #*However, even if this applies to you, your bank and other institutions may not buy it. They may require other documentation that you don't have. If this is the case, you'll have to file a petition. | ||
