Your request must be complete with your current and proposed new name and include a statement that you're not seeking a name change for any illegal purpose. To prevent anyone from committing fraud or escaping creditors, many courts require you to publish notice of the proposed name change with the local newspaper to inform potential creditors.
In some states, you must pay for and obtain an official set of fingerprints. In most cases, you can contact your local law enforcement agency to schedule a visit and inquire about the cost. Once you meet your state's requirements, you'll attend a hearing in front of the judge to certify under oath that you're changing your name willingly and without fraudulent intent. After you receive the signed court order, you can present it to local agencies, creditors, banking institutions, and schools to implement the name change and gain a new identification card.
Remember, your name change is permanent. In the event of a break up, married couples can simply request a name change in their divorce judgment, but unmarried couples will need to complete a second court process in order to use their original names again. Common law marriage is still recognized in several states.
There is no formal ceremony required to establish this type of relationship. The requirements will vary by state, but generally, a common law spouse can prove a common law marriage by showing specific conduct, including:. Sharing the same last name is one of the many ways a couple can hold themselves out to the public as married. If you live in a common law marriage state, and you don't want the state to consider you legally married, it's critical that you take this into consideration before you change your name to match your partner's.
You may want to consider entering into a written agreement of mutual intent not to enter a common law marriage. If you have questions about the legal impact of sharing a last name with your partner, you should speak to a local family law attorney. Lindsey Evans says she wants to change her name - and that the decision came from her.
Some couples uncritically accepted the practice because it was conventional, while others actively embraced the idea of passing on male names. I had something old, blue, borrowed and new. The researchers found the 'good family' narrative was a key factor in women changing their names. This, she hoped, would also avoid administrative hassle, for example when travelling abroad with her child. Academics are split on how the name-changing norm plays against a backdrop of efforts to achieve gender equality.
That argument is strongly supported by women like Nikki Hesford, a business owner from northern England. This means women continue to be influenced by these kinds of messages, despite more gender-positive, feminist perspectives being given a greater platform. Hilda Burke suggests name-changing remains part of the traditional marriage narrative romanticised on social media.
A legal name change can cost hundreds of dollars, but the price varies depending on where you live and the type of name change. In this case, simply provide your marriage certificate to the institutions responsible for changing names on official documents such as your bank or local registry.
Importantly, remember to update your estate planning documents. Marriage is a major life event that affects several legal and financial aspects of your life. As such, you must ensure that documents such as a Last Will and Testament , Health Care Directive , and Power of Attorney reflect your current status and wishes. The name should suit both your personality and your beliefs. The LawDepot Team consists of professional writers and editors with years of experience researching and writing about a variety of legal topics.
When you sign your marriage certificate, it does not result in an automatic name change. You have […]. Hi Jennifer, as the post says, you have a variety of different options to choose from. What you choose to do is a very personal decision between you and your future spouse.
Hello what if i told the county clerk i would change my last name but decide not to. Will my marriage certificate have my maiden name? Hi Maura, we would recommend giving them a call for an answer specific to your situation.
Best of luck! LawDepot on September 4, Related documents : Estate and Healthcare Planning What are my options for a legal name change after marriage? Cons : Certain situations may require you to prove your marriage is legitimate. For example, you may need to present your marriage certificate if your partner becomes ill and you want to make healthcare decisions on their behalf. If you're unsure of what documents you need to provide, call the agency and speak with a representative.
Bring the required documents to the local office and present them to the proper officials. Most companies require a copy of your new identification if you have existing loans or credit cards before the changes take effect.
Although the identification requirements vary by lender, you'll likely need to send the company a copy of your driver's license, social security card, passport, or marriage certificate. Yes, but in most places, you'll have to get a court order to do it. Some couples want to be known by a hyphenated combination of their last names, and a few even make up new names that combine elements of each. You can also pick a name that's entirely different from the names you have now, simply because you like it better.
It was relatively easy to make all these changes by consistently using your new name in the past. Today, you will need to go to court to get an official order changing your name to anything other than your new spouse's last name.
The court process varies by state and may include the following requirements:. Your department of motor vehicles will likely make post-marriage name changes to only one of the names on the marriage certificate or, in some cases, to a hyphenated name that uses both.
Obergefell v. Hodges, U. As a part of the ruling, same-sex partners now share the same right to a name change as opposite-sex married couples. Before the Court's decision, a few states allowed same-sex couples to marry and change their last names.
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