Name Change Question

Cristin Welch

I was not planning to change my name for a while...if ever, but now we need to get Passports. I think I just want to change my name so that I can have all of my passport stamps in one book.

Anyways, I went online and it said I have to petition for a name change and go to court? Is this really what I have to do...Can someone please go over the process of changing names with me? I know I will have to go to the DMV and SS office...but what exactly do I do?

sandiegobride07

SS office 1st

DMV 2nd (after you receive your new SS card in the mail)

i haven't changed my passport yet so i'm not sure what's required, but i find it hard to believe you have to go to court??  this is something i need to do soon too before we go to Costa Rica, so I'd be interesed what you find out

see you Friday!

danlisa

Its all so annoying....I got my passport for our honeymoon, so then I had to freaking change it after since I changed my name, so now I have 2 passports and my stamps from Greece in the first one

Anyway, you need your official marriage certificate, and you take that to the SS office, then take your new SS card to the DMV, along with some other stuff I'm sure (I did mine in NJ, where we hvae this annoying 6 point system and you have to pretty much bring every legal document you have).

Its a little annoying but I have never heard of going to court? That's odd...

Good luck!

PostcardsfromDC

Hi!
Hope this helps.  Unless you're doing something funky with your first name (like changing from Kelly to Megan, for instance), this should be all you have to do:

1.  SSA
You need to take your wedding license and a completed SS-5 (available on SSA website).  My SSA office issued me a temporary card until my permanent one was mailed.

2.  DMV
The DMV will check to see if you're updated by the SSA, so that's why you go there first.  Take your current license, your wedding license, and anything that SSA gives you.  At the CA DMV you will:

1.  Complete DL 44 form
2.  Provide a thumb print
3.  Take your picture again
4.  Pay the application fee

You'll get a temporary card until they send the new one with your new name. 

3.  Passport
3a.  If your passport has been issued within the past year:  Send a completed form DS-5504, a certified copy of your marriage certificate, two passport photographs, and your current valid passport to the address on the form.  They will amend your passport and send it back.
3b.  If your passport was issued more than a year ago:  You have to renew your passport.  Send a completed DS-82, a certified copy of your marriage certificate, two passport photographs, $75 fee payable to State Dept., and your most recent passport.  (Don't worry, you get the old one back when they send the new one.)

msurber

The court stuff is for those people who change there names for out of the ordinary stuff-- other than marriage, birth, etc.

soon2bWardel

Yeah, you can actually mail in your stuff to get a new SS card -- I did that and loved how easy it was! You just print the form off online.

The DMV took me 3 hours, but I was registering my car, too, you can totally get an appointment but I just went Saturday morning and waited before it opened. And bring cash!!

Then you do everything else!

The application for a new passport is usually at the post office. Adam grabbed it for me once, but I've yet to do that one.

FayeD

And check with your HR about processing your new name. You'll have to do that right after changing your name at the DMV. It was the name change at work that was the most difficult. SS/DMV/Passport were easy in comparison.

JustLes

I had a very difficult time getting my name changed, due to the fact that I'm in the military.  Some people were under the impression that I would have to do something similar to a petition in order to get my name changed in the military's system.  I found out later that is only the case for those who are divorcing or changing their name for a reason other than marriage.  I'm almost positive it's the same situation at every other government agency. 

As everyone else stated, SS office first, then DMV, and then you can start taking care of your financial agencies, credit cards, and the like.  To help you out, I know there are many websites that have information about changing your name so do a quick google search and you'll be able to find more detailed answers.

soon2bWardel

I love that all my work stuff is in my married name already -- odd that I didn't have to show in ID in that name to tell them that's what it is, but it's nice they went with it.

Cristin Welch

Oh that is so wonderful to hear! You girls are right. The court petition is to tatally change your name...it was talking about changing genders and stuff. That is why I asked here. I knew you girls would know.

I will hit up the SS office this week.

Thanks for all the info ladies.

mrsdanigirl8

I didn't read most of the responses because I am sure the ladies answered your question but when I got my name changed as a kid (my dad never adopted me, I just changed my name cause it was cheaper) I did have to petition in court. I also had to announce it in three major newspapers. Total pain but worth it. Changing my name this time around was a cinch!

soon2bWardel

Dani -- that's so crazy! Adam changed his name before we got married (loooong story, but he changed one letter - I'm not married to a crazy person) and he just went and chatted to the judge and came out with a document that we filed somewhere. It was almost too easy.

mrsdanigirl8

I think it was more difficult for me because I was under age... not fun for a 14 year old who just wanted her own identity