“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
These famous lines by William Shakespeare have been used many a times; actually, so many times that they are now a cliché. But then, your name counts. Right. Apart from playing a crucial role in social settings (like, serving as a unique identification point for belonging to a particular class/ society/ ethnic group, etc.), legal name change processes, and official milieu (educational institutions, work environment, etc.), your name makes you different from the rest. Yes, names have been an integral part of human social setups and psyche for long, and will surely continue to be so.
Why is a Name Important?
Name is the first thing you say when you introduce yourself to someone. It is the first point of contact. It is how you identify yourself. It is how others bond with you. It is how your achievements, history, charity, and all other activities connect back to you. And that is why a name is so important for all social beings alike. All these features and more, make it important for those desirous of a legal name change to follow certain steps, as defined by their state jurisdiction and relevant authorities.
Carrying Forward a Legacy
It is probably because a name is so personal, and a possession that humans are so fond of, that they want to pass it on to their progenies. In almost all parts of the world, the practice of carrying the family name, along with one’s name, has occupied an important place in the society. While in some countries and groups, it is the name of the community that is taken as one’s surname, in others it is the family name, or that of one or both parents.
Who would want to Change their Names and Why?
Even if given a choice, there are not many in this world who would want to change their names. This may be because of personal, professional, or social reasons. Or maybe, because of the complications that are packaged with the processes of a legal name change. However, there are some people who want to change their names and get a different calling identity for themselves. There may be several reasons for this. For instance, there are numerous newly married ladies who desire to take on their spouse’s name because of traditions or personal reasons. Yes, in many parts of the world, it is usually the wife who takes on the husband’s surname while retaining her first name.
Why is a Name Change Important for Others?
Also, there are children who would like to change their surname from their father’s family name to that of their mother’s. Sometimes people change their names because they don’t like the name given to them at birth, or because it identifies them with a particular ethnic or religious group or community. And then, there are some who go through the many procedures of a legal name change to defraud. There may be other reasons like transgender name changes. Those in the transgender category may want to change their name to one that reflects their sexual orientation.
Letting the World Know
The process of changing one’s name has evolved over the years to include social, professional, and security perspectives. So, nowadays, it is not just about informing your near and dear ones through emails, phone, messages, or old fashioned letters that you would like to be called by the new name. In the contemporary scenario, where announcements on social media has become a norm, letting others know about your new identity, and probably explain or hint at why you chose to change your name, becomes an important part of the process too. Though many people take pride in announcing their name change after marriage, it can be fairly difficult to face the questions and reactions when changing your name back to your previous maiden name in certain cases, say after a divorce.
Name Change, Everywhere!
Here, the major time consuming aspect of a name change is with regards to ensuring that your new name reflects in all of your official documents. This includes your passport, social security card, driving license, bank documents, contracts, insurance papers, voter’s registration, legal documents like will and title deeds, citizenship card, health card, bills, tax records, vehicle permits and related documents, etc.
By going through the process of a legal name change, and with legal proof in place, all these documents can be updated with your changed name by applying to the individual departments, along with the certified legal proof. As official documents having contradictory names may lead to several problems, both criminal and civil, you need to ensure that the documents bear the new name only, so as to avoid any trouble in future.
The Parties that Need to Know
It is essential to inform all relevant parties of your new name change. You may need your marriage certificate, name change decree, or divorce decree for this purpose. Remember, as all financial, governmental, and business institutions have to be informed of your new name, you may require multiple copies of the requisite documents for this purpose. While some institutions may permit you to make all necessary changes over the phone, there are others that need prior written notices, applications and documentation. Some of these government agencies and private organizations would include:
• Agencies responsible for issuing legal documents like social security cards, passports, birth certificates, and photo IDs
• Schools and colleges
• Banks and financial institutions
• Places of work
• Creditors
• Attorneys
• Mortgage lenders
• Post office, and so forth.
It’s no Longer Cumbersome, go for it!
While changing your name sounds like a lot of work, technological advancements, digital / internet progression, and several customized services of agencies with expertise in the name change domain (from just technical advice to filling out customized forms), have made the process simple and faster, indeed. So if you are looking to change your name, there is nothing to stop you or slow you down!
HitchSwitch 