If you are recently married or divorced, updating your new name on Facebook and other social media sites won’t be enough. There is a huge list of other places where you need to legally change your name. Making a name change checklist of all those places will help you finish the entire name change process in much organized and precise manner.
You can always take a look at the checklist and ensure you aren’t missing out any authority or place where you need to update your last name. In short, a basic checklist will help you keep trace on whom you have notified and whom you haven’t notified about your new name yet.
To help you get started with the legal name change process, here we have shared a complete name change checklist to follow.
But before you begin with the legal name change process post wedding, you need to get your marriage certificate. For divorce, you will need to add name change request in your divorce decree or you can later get a court order for the same.
Get marriage certificate
You need to visit your local courthouse to get your original marriage certificate along with a few signed copies of it. The procedure time and steps of getting marriage certificate and signed copies may vary a bit from one state to another. You will need to enquire about the procedure and laws in your own state.
Most important authorities to notify on your name change
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Now that you have your marriage license or divorce order with name change order by court, the very next step is to visit the local SSA office for name change request. In addition to your marriage certificate (MC), you may need to submit your old SSA card and any other ID proof as requested.
You can download Form SS-5 and fill it before you visit your local SSA office. Usually there are no fees for changing name in your social security card. But you may have to stand in queue for an hour or two. When the new name (or maiden name in case of divorce) is updated in your social security card, it can be used a valid ID proof to update name legally at other government agencies like passport office and DMV.
Some states also allow the applicants to mail the SS-5 form along with required ID proofs. And a new social security card with the updated name is sent to applicant’s home within two weeks via post. Check your state’s guideline first as some states will need you to submit the form in person.
State Driver’s license
Visit your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office to change your name legally in your driver’s license, vehicle title and vehicle registration. You may need to pay a small fee for the name change process.
Voter Registration
First of all, find out your state’s guideline for name and address change in voter registration. In some state, this process is handled by DMV offices. You can either download your state’s specific form or use national voter registration form for name change process.
Other places/entities you need to notify about name change after marriage or divorce include,
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Bank accounts
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Passport
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Utility bills
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Subscriptions and Memberships
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Workplace or University
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Investment accounts, credit cards
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Loans
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Insurances
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Emails, Social media accounts and other digital services
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Tax forms, Will and other legal documents
Prepare your own name change checklist and get a print of it; this will help you keep things organized and track your progress any-time. If you want to save time and efforts, hiring professional name change service is a good alternative to successfully accomplish name change process for all entities mentioned in your name change checklist.
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