", by a new name and gender but remain married. It seems like I don't need to do anything since I haven't changed my name legally. Hi Bobbi. However, I wasn't given any receipt or paper. As I was given advice to write the letter to the judge, I was also given your same advice in case of denial: file a brand new court petition and start from the beginning. Amendment applications should be made to the Clerk of Court. Does your marriage certificate only show your maiden name or does it designate your new name after marriage as well? Just like with other forms of name change, the man will be asked whether he's associated with criminal liability or debt. My marriage certificate states, "Bride's declared surname: Higgins". Are both legal or should she be using name court granted her at divorce? Use the marriage certificate from your first marriage. Now I want to change it to my official first name. However, only nine states allow it currently as part of the marriage name change process, but it doesn't mean it can't be done even in states where this issue has not cropped up yet. My husband wants to change his last name to his mothers maiden name since he always informally went by that name (not his legal last name of his father). You may be better positioned citing the pertinent POMS ID and marriage example so that they're aware of this stipulation. Because I haven't changed it with the social security office yet, how do I go about keeping my maiden name? Should I do my passport second and then my license, so that I have 2 documents with my new name? When I got married, I changed my name to my husbands last name. Will they accept your updated social security card in your new name along with a federal or state tax document in your old name that matches your social security number? I also wanted to change my middle name to mom's first name. When it comes to changing your name there are many ways of doing it. No, would you need a formal name change event that authorizes your name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. And a birth certificate and possibly an old passport. Your marriage certificate doesn't have to show your new last name. Hi Anny. Before you can change your name, you'll need a certified copy of your marriage license (a.k.a. You may be able to get a new passport using Form DS-11, which is for new, lost, and damaged passports. Both applicants can apply for a Marriage License in person at one of our 11 locations. There was no married name indicated on my marriage certificate. You'd have to get a judge to issue a court order for such a change, but it's highly unlikely such an order would be approved. Hi Hercules. Required fields are marked *. Documents . Many states do not provide such spaces. Make it clear to them you have a credential inconsistency that has lasted years, where your social security record has not changed, but your driver's license is out of step with federal identification. This article has been viewed 156,255 times. On the marriage license, my last name is hyphenated. Im literally going to court tomorrow to revert to my maiden name, Im an established professional and it has been a train wreck. Is it possible for me to do that without divorcing? Amended, certified birth certificate issued by government Office of Vital Statistics . In most cases, your marriage certificate is a legal name change document. A certified copy of the marriage certificate may be used as a document required for application of a California Driver's License, as a result of the Name Equality Act. I'm assuming the latter, but it's not clear. 207 Genesee Street, 15th Floor. Primarily your social security card. Hi Heather. I just went into the SSA and they did the same to me now I have to leave and research it and go back to try again. Since you were previously married, any usual requirement for waiting period should not apply. The procedure to legally change your name on your birth certificate varies from state to state. How To Legally Change Your Name After Marriage. At the SS office however, we were told we needed a court order to get a new card even though the new last name is on the marriage certificate in the new name section. Hi, when I got married in California last year, I put my new last name as my husband's last name on my marriage certificate. at work/ work email etc) or do you use your old name until you officially synchronize at least your main IDs (SSN/ DL)? The only problem is that legal court documents could be required by government and financial agencies when it comes to changing into the entirely new last name and ensuring it appears on your passport, birth certificate, social security card and other documents. 2. my husband's last name is hyphenated (his moms last name-his dad's last name). How did it go at the DMV getting your license changed and what state are you in? Sworn statements must be printed, with a signature and the date on which the statement was signed, to be legal. do i go to the city hall i went to get married and ask them to revert it or its more complicated? after 2 years of not changing but am having a hard time finding info on if thats true or what documentation I will actually need. seems silly. My domain isn't in the same GoDaddy account as my certificate; Download your SSL files. Its registered under my maiden name but my social security card is under my married name and drivers license as well. I have decided to drop my two middle names and change my hyphenated first name into my first and middle name. If that doesn't work, you'll have to go to court to change your name. But, let's just start over. I also want to change my last name to his. I imagine professional degrees will have issues because of the inconsistency. Is this the document the passport office is looking for? Do drivers licenses include middle names and can I still go by Jane Kelly for all intensive purposes since its technically my middle name now? So, my only "Name Must Match" document, which is also required to get my "Real ID License" doesn't match my required Lawful Presence document. Or has it already become official with the court order signed by the judge? Even though they'll query the SSA database for a name match, they don't follow the same name reversal rules as the SSA. It doesn't matter. Thank you anyway. Hi Sara. Petition the court for a name change. Change Your Last Name Without Getting Married - LegalShield I was devastated and called back the court, and they advised me to write a letter to the Judge who granted my first name change to explain my unique circumstance in hopes that I won't have to start a whole new name change process. You will need a certified copy of the document showing your legal name change to be delivered with your request. Are you sure you're referencing the same ID? You just need your records aligned. Because I haven't changed it with the social security office yet, how do I go about keeping my maiden name? It has as both my husband's full name and my maiden name listed. The last two questions are ambiguous. I was told cannot in State of Michigan only if I were to get a divorce. I changed my last name into a hyphenated name (my maiden and my spouses name). You'll have to go into the DMV with a certified copy of your marriage certificate along with a certified copy of your birth certificate. I haven't changed any of my records. I hyphenated my last name and my husband's name. when I got married never changed the social. I basically did the same thing in NJ. It needs to be resolved eventually as when it comes time to renew your ID, it won't match your social security record. You may also need to notify additional agencies depending on your county. (We have not had the ceremony yet), Is there a way to keep my maiden name even though I already signed my marriage license. Our marriage certificate doesn't have the option to show your preferred married name. But this technique is only guaranteed to work with them. Also, expect police checks to be carried out on you in a number of states before the process can begin. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. You only need to petition for a legal name change; don't forget states and local courts have different forms for this. Form DS-11. We both want to change to the name he always has gone by informally (mothers maiden name). On the paperwork that I received she marked that I needed to restore to my former name. The allure of a name reversal is the flexibility and breathing room it offers. this is ridiculous. It would help further if you could cite the U.S. state (or non-U.S. country) where you married. Hi Jasmine. Hello, I recently got married in NJ (live in NY) my marriage license / certificate did not have a spot to put my new surname. Method 1 Making Corrections on Marriage Certificates Download Article 1 Know what information you can change. It is signed by the clerk of the circuit clerk and has a gold embossed label/sticker for my county in Maryland. Hi! If I get marry with this license can I fixed later on or not? You'd use the court order to change your name everywhere at that point. The courthouse isn't the go-to for your situation. Do We have to file separately for a name change and pay the fees separately or as a married couple, requires for us to have his last name on the marriage certificate because of his fathers name on his birth certificate. Change Your Name When You Marry - County of Santa Clara Hi Victoria. In Massachusetts, you must speak directly with a Registry Representative by calling (617) 740-2600 before coming to the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics to file an amendment. But there people consider that this marriage certificate without the record that I took my husbands last name is not the basis for making my new passport. You may need a court order for your driver's license. Name Changes | Mass.gov My experience: (1) I went into office, they looked up the POMS numbers referenced in the article, but cited that it didn't match the "name change/correction" rules. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I was devastated and called back the court, and they advised me to write a letter to the Judge who granted my first name change to explain my unique circumstance in hopes that I won't have to start a whole new name change process. I think the document I have in front of me is my marriage license, but I am not sure. POMS 10212.155 seems to be the more accurate one to reference.