Legal Name Change- A Succinct Analysis

Legal Name Change is fundamentally a legal procedure by which any person can acquire a new name by abandoning his or her maiden name. The norms regulating the change of name differ in different places. However, at no place the system is rigid regarding this changing of names and can be done with ease.

Legal Name Change Procedure

Let us understand this process in detail. It includes the following steps:

  • In case of marriage, when the couple register their marriage, they are issued with a marriage certificate which is a legal proof for the change of name

  • A very common mistake that many people make is that they assume that simply changing the name on the identification documents results in legal name change. Perhaps that is not the case. Many other formalities should be taken care of.

The criteria decided by each state for Legal Name Change is different. Some may require simply making a call to the appropriate organizations, while others might require the submission of necessary documentation along with a written letter or application. Many might require you to fill certain forms along with your attached certificate to be presented in front of the magistrate in the court.

  • The most cumbersome step of the entire procedure is amending all the identification documents. Different organizations and agencies have a vast range of variance in context to the legal documents required for reflecting the name change on the fresh ID cards. This may lead to delay and also frustration between both the sides.

  • The process of changing the name on the records should be carried out in a systematic and well-planned manner. The general certificates such as driver’s license, passport etc. should be amended first to make things easier for more complex documentation.

  • There is a list of all the organizations that should be contacted while amending the name on the records. To name a few:

  • Driving License

  • Passport Office

  • Post Office

  • Banking and other Financial Institutions

  • Water / Gas / Oil Companies

  • Telephone Companies

  • Voters Registration Office

  • Insurance Companies

  • Electricity Board

Why are people still apprehensive?

When the above mentioned list is seen, people get overwhelmed. Getting in touch with so many different entities or institutions gives them jitters. The number of forms that may be involved is also something that makes people go weak in their knees.

However, the good news is that there are many reputed online agencies that can come to your aid and handle the process of changing name legally on your behalf. The expertise of these professionals ensures that your name changing activity is done smoothly. Moreover, you will just need to fill in a simple form on their website and rest will be handled by them.

Understand that the Legal Name Change is not a very difficult procedure. It only requires patience to deal with different governmental organizations. It is always wise to seek professional help to guide you through the entire procedure in order to avoid mistakes.

Adopting a New Married Name is easy if you know the right online sources

Marriage is a pious relationship between two people who are ready to give up anything for each other, even their identity. After the wedding, all the hustle bustle comes to an end and now finally there is only one thing that is left to be done; changing to a new married name. A lot of information about this procedure is available online; although each company that provides such a service has separate set of regulations regarding the name change services.

It is not mandatory that a woman always has to legally alter her name by taking up the husband’s surname. There are a lot of ways of changing to a new married name. Either you can take up your husband’s surname with your maiden name or choose to simply add the new surname after your maiden full name. You can also come up with a completely different name. In rare cases, as it happens, the couple can also choose to adopt the woman’s last name. So far the change of name is not fraudulent, any option can be considered fine.

What do you need to know about the name change process?

You may be now clear about what options you have with regards to changing your married name. However, there are still certain aspects that need to be understood about this process. There are a number of institutions that should be notified about your new married name. These institutions include:

  • Office/ Employers

  • Schools

  • Passport Office

  • Voters Card Office

  • Post Office

  • Banking and other Financial Institutions

  • Insurance Agencies

  • Telephone Companies

  • Department of Motor Vehicles

Taking up your husband’s last name

Changing your name to your husband’s last name after marriage is a simple task. With your marriage certificate you can notify institutions requesting change of address, or even to open any new bank account or take up any memberships.

Most places are compliant to such procedures; however they will still require the necessary documentation for your name. Make sure to amend your identification papers such as your driver’s license, passport, etc. with your newly acquired married name. For all these, again only your marriage certificate will be enough. In forlorn cases such as a divorce, a woman is free to revert to her maiden name abandoning her married name.

Taking up a different name other than the husband’s name

Taking up a different name is completely legal and legitimate; however, it can be a lengthier procedure than the previous one. You are required to submit necessary documents along with your marriage certificate to the court.

In most cases you are asked to fill certain forms which may include fields like your maiden name, your new name, reason for the change of name, etc. These forms are available online and can be easily downloaded. A judge /magistrate will review your form and permit the request of name change. Following this, you need to give an announcement in a local newspaper to formalize the approval.

Some people might think about the process of changing to a new name quite daunting due to the legal aspects and form filling involved. This is where you can opt for a reputed online firm that has the expertise and experience in handling such processes on your behalf. This will ensure that you work related to getting a new married name is through without hassles such as incorrect paperwork or right approach. These experts will conduct all the required steps and you can relax as you can just wait to get your legally changed new name.