Changing Name After Marriage

Changing Name After Marriage

Marriage is a significant milestone in one’s life, symbolizing the beginning of a lifelong partnership. For many individuals, changing their last name after marriage is a customary practice. While not all couples choose to follow this tradition, it can be a meaningful way to embrace a new identity as a married couple. In this article, we will explore the process and considerations involved in changing your name after marriage.

1. Understanding the Reasons:

Before deciding to change your name after marriage, it is essential to consider your motivations for doing so. Some common reasons include:

a) Symbolizing unity: Changing your last name to your spouse’s can be seen as a way to signify unity and solidify your commitment to each other.

b) Tradition and cultural significance: In many cultures, changing one’s last name is a traditional practice that holds cultural significance and is seen as a way to honor family and heritage.

c) Simplifying legal matters: Sharing a last name with your spouse can simplify legal matters, such as obtaining joint bank accounts, signing documents, or traveling together.

2. Check Legal Requirements:

The process of changing your name after marriage involves documenting the change legally. It is essential to understand the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. Common steps may include:

a) Obtain a marriage certificate: Before initiating the name change process, ensure that you have a certified copy of your marriage certificate, as it serves as proof of the marriage.

b) Research legal procedures: Research the laws and regulations in your area regarding name changes after marriage. Some jurisdictions require a court order, while others may have a simpler administrative process.

c) Visit the appropriate agency: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may need to visit a government agency, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles or Social Security Administration, to update your identification documents.

3. Notify Relevant Institutions:

Changing your name requires updating your identification documents, bank accounts, and other personal records. Consider the following institutions when updating your name:

a) Social Security Administration: Informing the Social Security Administration about your name change is crucial, as it will ensure the accuracy of your Social Security records.

b) Department of Motor Vehicles: Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration records to reflect your new name.

c) Financial institutions: Notify your bank, credit card companies, and insurance providers about your name change to ensure your accounts are accurately updated.

d) Passport and travel documents: If you plan on traveling internationally, you’ll need to update your passport with your new name. Check the requirements of your country’s passport office for the necessary documentation and application process.

4. Informing Family, Friends, and Employers:

After completing the legal and administrative steps, it is important to inform family, friends, and employers about your name change. This helps avoid confusion and ensures that official and personal records are updated accordingly. You may choose to send a formal announcement or simply inform people individually.

Changing your name after marriage can be a way to symbolize unity, honor traditions, or simplify legal matters. It involves understanding the legal requirements in your jurisdiction, updating identification documents and personal records, and informing relevant institutions. Ultimately, the decision to change your name is a personal one that should be made with careful consideration and communication with your partner. Embrace your new identity as a married couple and celebrate this new chapter in your lives.

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Upon getting married it is customary for one spouse to adopt the surname of the other spouse.  Although this might seem complex it is actually very straightforward and simple.

The first step in CHANGING A NAME AFTER MARRIAGE actually takes place prior to any ceremony.  When filing a MARRIAGE LICENSE the adopting spouse will enter the new surname on the MARRIAGE LICENSE form.  There are a number of options that the adopting spouse has in adopting a new name.  These include:

• The surname of the other spouse;

• The former surname of any spouse;

• A joint surname consisting of the maiden name of the adoptee spouse and the surname of the other spouse; or

• A combination of these surnames

Although it is customary for the wife to adopt the surname of the husband there is no law that requires such.  In fact, there is no law that requires that a spouse change his or her name at all.

Once an individual has filed the new surname on the marriage license and it has been filed the surname change will be official upon completion of the marriage ceremony and the filing of the CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE REGISTRATION form that should be filed by the official presiding over the marriage ceremony.

At that point it is up to the individual with the new surname to contact all interested parties that may require that information.  Informally this will mean notifying friends and family.  Formally this will involve notification to the Social Security Administration so that records associated with the individuals social security identification card may reflect the new surname and prevent a negative effect on social security payments, earnings, etc.

In addition, some States require that an individual who changes his or her name file with the County Recorder in any jurisdiction where he or she may own real property.  Some States also require that individuals who have a criminal history file their name change within a certain period of time after that name change.  It is also beneficial to obtain a new driver’s license and passport with the newly adopted surname at your convenience.

A person who has changed their surname will also want to contact other interested parties including employers, schools, insurance agencies, physicians, tax authorities; and utilities.

If an individual would like to change his or her name back to their original surname or change it to any other name there are procedures that need to be followed.

First, most States require a filing fee of somewhere between $30 and $70.  Secondly, that individual will need to complete a form often known as a “name change petition.”

Depending on the State you are in the individual will need to bring a birth certificate or proof of that individual’s birth.  Finally, upon completion of all this information a judge will review the petition and either grant or deny the name change.  Upon the granting of a name change most States require the publication of the new name for a specific period of time.  This may include the publication of the new surname in a newspaper so that the public is may be aware.

As with any other matter involving marriage, family law, or domestic relations; these laws are primarily State specific and one should research their specific States laws and requirements before proceeding with any legal matter.