Changing your name requires updating important documents like your social security card and driver’s license. Women who change their name after marriage need to present their marriage license and birth certificate to obtain a new social security card and driver’s license, while men must legally file a name change application with the courts. For minor name changes, birth certificates may need to be changed. Other documents that might require a name change include wills, bank accounts, credit cards, and car registrations. It’s essential to have all documents in the same name to save time proving identity, and as businesses and government agencies may require proof of legal right to use a name, begin the process starting with big identification agencies like the DMV and the SSA.
If you plan to change your name, there are several important documents that will need to be updated. The most important of these are your social security card number and driver’s license. Both require you to legally submit new documents representing your new name. Even after a name change, you’ll still want to keep some records of your former name because sometimes there’s a need to prove who you were, instead of who you are now.
Some name changes can happen quite easily. A woman who changes her name after marriage is simply required to present her marriage licence, possibly together with her birth certificate, in order to obtain a new social security card and driver’s licence. Men who want to change their surname after marriage experience greater difficulties. They must legally file a name change application with the courts before they can use a new name after marriage.
If you’re simply going to change your name because you don’t like it, you’ll also need to submit formal name change paperwork, and for minors, this often means changing a birth certificate as well. Once the change is made, you will again want to get a new social security card, driver’s license and passport if you have one. These documents are the most recognizable forms of identification for which a change is required.
Other documents may also require a name change, but this can vary depending on which state you live in. If you have a will, you should change it to reflect your new name. Bank accounts, credit cards, voter registration, power of attorneys and car registrations may also need to be changed. While you may not be legally required to change your name on some of these documents, it makes sense to have all of your documents in the same name. This saves you having to look up the old ID to prove that you are the person named in them.
Other places you may also want to change your name are at schools you attend, workplaces, or any real estate or stock you own. All business contracts you entered before changing your name should be up to date. Changing your name on many of these documents is often an informal process, especially if you are changing from a single to a married last name or from a married to a divorced last name.
Some businesses and government agencies may require proof of your legal right to use your name. This is why it makes sense to start with the big identification agencies like the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security Administration. They will usually provide you with the proof needed to change the name on any other paperwork.
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