The most important document in the name change process is your marriage certificate. You will need several certified true copies, which you can request from the clerk of the county where you were married. Once you have legally changed your name, remember that you must also change your name on bank and other financial accounts, credit cards, utility bills, and other personal records. Regardless of the reason for the child`s name change, the court usually requires that the standard that the name change is in the best interests of the child. Name changes take anywhere from a few days to six months, depending on the occupancy of your local district court. Performing a name change involves the following steps: If you encounter instances where your old name still exists, you should fix these errors. Here are some basic considerations on how to change your name in each of the most likely categories: You want to make sure all your assets are covered, but did you know that not all assets can be inherited in a will? If you get married in Texas, you can change your name on your marriage certificate or license without having to go to court. You can obtain certified copies of your marriage certificate from your city clerk. You cannot change the name on your Social Security card online because the SSA requires original documents. You can either send the originals or certified true copies from the issuing authority, or bring your documents directly to the nearest SSA office in your district. Visiting an SSA office is the fastest and best way to get a Social Security name change, and it gives you peace of mind that you`ll get your original documents back.

The SSA also returns original documents sent by mail, but there is always a risk that they will be lost. 8. Edit the documents to reflect your new name. These include a new Social Security card, driver`s license, and car registration. You will also need to change your name with voter registration, banks, credit cards, postal subscriptions, employer and insurance companies. Update your retirement accounts, passport, companies that send you invoices, and any other entities that should bear your new name. While you`re at DMV, you may also want to understand how to change the name on the titles of the vehicles you own. *The price does not include legal fees payable when you submit your name change documents. The documents required to prove the name change include one of the following: Adults and children choose to change their name for a variety of reasons. Whatever the reason, we make it easy to get court approval for your name change.

Once granted, you can officially use your new name for all government and financial documents. If you want to change your name for reasons other than marriage or divorce, the legal name change process usually involves filing an application with the court first. You may also need to attend a hearing and explain the reason for your name change request. If your application is accepted, the court will issue an order with your new name. If your name was changed in a divorce decree, either the original or the change, be sure to keep a copy of the order as proof of your name change. For a more detailed view of our name change process, click here. Changing your name fraudulently, for example to avoid creditors or arrests If you plan to follow the traditional approach and adopt your husband`s surname after marriage, you may be able to change your name on all your official documents by simply providing a certified copy of your marriage certificate. You do not have to file an application with the court.

You can also change your name in divorce proceedings without having to apply for a separate name change. Let the judge know that you want to use a new name and spell your new name so that it is part of the divorce decree. However, if you`re planning a less traditional name change after marriage — such as creating a new surname for both spouses or the husband adopting the wife`s surname — you`ll likely need to apply to a court for a name change. Change your name to include a racist slur or « fighting words » (threatening, obscene, and/or incitement to violence as defined by state law). Here are some basic guidelines on how to change your name after marriage. A: You cannot legally force your ex-spouse to return to his or her old last name. You have the right to keep your last name. Filing the application: The court charges a fee to submit your name change application. These fees vary from state to state. For example, the filing fee is currently $150 in Massachusetts, $200 in New Jersey, and $435 in California. If you have commercial licenses, you must notify the agencies that issued those licenses so they can update their records. You may need to provide them with a state certificate that approves the name change.

If you`re starting a new business, you`ll need to choose a name that can be used in your state and doesn`t go against another company`s brand. Minors under the age of 18 cannot change their own name – one of the parents must submit the name change application. The procedure and cost of changing a child`s name is the same as changing an adult`s name, except that the parent filing the application must take the additional step of giving notice of the name change application to the other parent. If your divorce is already final, some states will allow you to ask the court to change the decree to include the language that changes your last name. You should always keep proof of your original name (such as a birth certificate) in case you have trouble using it again. No one likes to be teased because of a name they didn`t choose themselves. If you legally change your name, you have the option to delete a name that you find embarrassing or that you think just doesn`t suit you. The publication of a public announcement of a name change may be required by your state. This means publishing your name change in a local newspaper. Sometimes this requirement may be waived, but this decision is at the discretion of the court. The publication of your name change raises objections, which must be submitted within a deadline set by the court. You can usually change your name for any reason other than to commit fraud or circumvent the law.

What seemed perfect when you started your CLL may no longer feel right. Perhaps it contains the name of a business partner who has left. Maybe it doesn`t reflect your current business or brand strategy. Or maybe you just prefer something else. If you hire a lawyer, you will also pay legal fees. You can also use an online legal service to help you complete the name change application. You may also need to consider other fees, such as: Changing your name to match your spouse`s last name is one of the most common reasons people want to change their name. This can help some couples feel like a shared family unit and can simplify future cases that require identification, such as filing taxes together. Once your name change is approved by the state, you can tell the world about your new name. This can mean changing signage, brochures, forms, your website, business cards, and stationery – anything that still uses your old name.

You may also need to promote your name change so customers know they`re still dealing with the same company. You don`t need to fill out your parents` social security numbers because this is not an original application for a social security number. Just list your parents` names. Complete numbers 1 to 18 on the form. Bring the form with your documents to your local SSA office or submit it with your documents. If the order can`t be changed, or you don`t want to go through this process, you may need to request a name change, but keep in mind that many states allow you to simply reuse your previous name as long as you do it regularly. You can then request that it be changed in all your identification documents and personal files. In Texas, you can change your first name, middle name, or last name, or all of it, if you qualify. You can even add a name to your full name if the court allows it. If you change your name, someone`s name won`t change – each petition is reserved for the applicant, so your children`s names won`t change. You must also amend your LLC internal operating agreement to reflect the new name of your LLC. Here are some frequently asked questions about name change.

This could include a motion, a petition to change the name, and other documents to request the change. You may also have to pay a registration fee. After receiving a court order granting a name change, you must update important identifying information, including your driver`s license or other government-issued ID, birth certificate, Social Security card, and passport. If you are married or divorced and your name has been changed, you do not need to update your birth certificate. Before attempting to change the LLC name, you need to make sure that the name is available in your state. In most states, you can perform an LLC name search online on the Secretary of State`s website or other business filing agency. If you want to get your maiden name back after divorce, you can apply for it during the divorce process in most states; The judge can then make an order to reinstate your old name. You may need a copy of the order as proof of the change, and then revert to your old name elsewhere, such as on your Social Security card and driver`s license. Even if your LLC hasn`t done any business in the past year, you may need to file a federal tax return. When you formed your LLC, you filed a settlement with the state.