How To Request A Name Change
If your divorce case is not currently active and you are not about to initiate a divorce action, you will need to file a separate application with the court in order to have your name legally changed. This action must be filed in the circuit court of the city or county where you live. The filing must be accompanied with the required fee.
Is There A Time Frame For A Name Change In New York
There is no time frame to change your name after getting divorced in New York however, some couples opt to include a stipulation in their final divorce decree outlining a time frame. Most couples proceed with a name change once their divorce has been finalized.
The easiest way to change your last after a divorce is to include a name change provision in your final divorce decree. Ensure this is the case by securing the experience of a reputable lawyer who will represent your best interests. Contact us online or via today to schedule a consultation.
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Get Certified Copy Of Signed Forms
Once the judge signs your form FL-395 or FL-180, you may want to get a certified copy to use to update your IDs.
Many government agencies will ask for a certified copy to change your name in their records.
If you do need a certified copy, ask the court clerk to certify a copy for you. Depending on how many legal ID documents you want to update, you can ask for more than one certified copy.
The current fee is $40 fee for a certified copy. If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a fee waiver.
Your records are not updated automatically with your new name.
How Do I Change My Name With The Ssa
When you change your name, you must notify the SSA so you can get a new card. Be aware that you cannot apply for a new card online. You may want to get your new driver’s license or state ID before requesting a new social security card.
Following are the steps to get a new Social Security card:
The SSA will then send you a new card with your changed name. Upon receipt, check to ensure your SSN and name are correct.
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New Drivers License After Marriage
Drivers License or State ID Card Its best to do this second.This may take 3 hours or so. You must go to a DMV Office to get name change after marriage for your Drivers License or State ID Card. To get your new DMV ID to be REAL ID COMPLIANT, take a look at their Checklist before going in. DMV has a small fee for this , depending on the type of ID youre applying for.
Changing Your Child’s Name During Or After Divorce
Historically, courts had children keep their father’s last name so long as the father continued to actively perform his parental role. This rule no longer strictly applies, given the dynamics of modern families. Now, a judge will change a child’s last name only when it’s clearly in the child’s best interests. Also, gender rules for a child’s last name don’t have the same hold as in previous eras, because many children today have same-sex parents or were raised by a single parent.
When deciding whether to grant a name change, courts today may consider several factors, including the:
- length of time the child used the last name
- strength of the child’s relationship with the other parent
- child’s relationship with siblings
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Changing Your Name After Divorce
More than happy to give your ex-spouse’s last name back to him or her after your divorce? Here’s how you do it legally.
If you are getting or have gotten divorced and no longer want to use your ex-spouses last name, there are a few ways you can affect a name change after divorce.
As with everything regarding divorce, state laws vary on this subject, but below youll find general information on how to change your name after a divorce.
I Do Wish To Change My Name After My Divorce How Should I Proceed
First, for whatever reason you want to proceed with your name change you begin to see that its not as simple as you thought, and the advice and legal guidance of your divorce lawyer will be invaluable.
Your case and reasons are unique, and when and if you change your name, various details must be addressed. Consulting with your Bellaire family law team will ensure that you follow all the legal requirements and get it right the first time. Youre starting down a new life path, so get the correct legal advice you need and dont leave anything up to chance.
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Questions About Steps To Take After Your Divorce Has Concluded Contact The Law Office Of Bryan Fagan Pllc Today
Thank you for showing an interest in today’s blog topic and the discussion we had. If you have any unanswered questions in our blog post, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC. We offer free of charge consultations six days a week in which your questions can be answered.
Our licensed family law attorneys represent clients across southeast Texas, and we would be honored to do the same for you and your family. We provide top-notch representation to our clients on various family law issues and look forward to hearing from you to discuss your legal matter.
How Do Change Your Passport
Most people seeking to change a passport should use the DS-82 form. Along with this form, submit certified documentation reflecting your name change. Note that you may need to use the DS-5504 form if one of these situations applies:
The cost varies depending on whether you are renewing the passport book or card. To complete this process, you can mail in your application with a check.
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File Petition To Change Last Name
In some states, a legal name change after divorce may be effectuated by filing a name change petition, just the same as anyone who wants to change his or her name for other reasons would file.
Note that this may be unnecessary paperwork, however, as explained more fully below, so be sure your state requires this before going down this road.
New Certificate Name Change After Marriage
Your original birth certificate, together with your original or Certified Name Change Document, will be all you need to prove your legal name in every situation. Thats why most people never bother with getting a new or amended birth certificate. The exception is for infants. New parents have emotional reasons for getting an updated birth certificate after name change. If you want to get one, go for it:)
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How Much Does It Cost To Change Your Name In Texas
If youre wondering how to legally change your last name in Texas, you may also want to know how much does it cost to change your name. The cost to change your name varies from county to county, so its best to check the website for the county where you reside.
You typically will pay a filing fee, along with other fees related process your name change certificate. Your family law attorney can advise you on how to legally change your name in Texas and what fees to expect. As a ballpark, you can generally expect to pay between $150-300 to change your name in Texas.
Changing Your Name During Divorce Proceedings
It is simple to ask for a name change during a divorce proceeding. You may ask the judge to allow you to change your current name during the proceedings itself, and they will tack it onto their ruling with little fanfare.
You can ask your lawyer to convey this information to the judge. Other instances may need you to fill out separate forms titled something like “Request to Restore Birth Name.” It depends on your state laws, so this may be something you want to consult with your lawyer.
It is your choice to change your name or not. No one else can force you to change your name after divorce, and especially not your ex-partner. You may feel that it helps sever all ties with them, or you just do not feel all that attached to your married name.
It can be a bit more difficult when you share children with your ex, but ultimately, your name is your own. It should and will always remain your choice alone to change it or not. Regardless of what others may think.
There are still laws that dictate what you can and cannot change your name to during these proceedings. Several states share the same general laws, though others may have more specific rules stating what you can and cannot change your name to.
It is always a good idea to double check your state’s laws or statutes, or consult your lawyer on the matter just in case.
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When You Finish Your Divorce
To finish your divorce, you will turn in a final set of forms for the judge to review. You can ask to change your name in these forms by checking the boxes on
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Item #12 of the
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Item #4 of the Judgment , and write in the name, including the first, middle, and last name that you want to return to.
Then, once a judge signs the Judgment, the Judgment is your legal proof that you changed your name.
Law Office Of Bryan Fagan Pllc
The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s essential to speak with one of our Houston, TX, Divorce Lawyers right away to protect your rights.
Our divorce lawyers in Houston, TX, are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, handles Divorce cases in Houston, Texas, Cypress, Klein, Humble,Kingwood, Tomball, The Woodlands, Houston, the FM 1960 area, or surrounding areas, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County,Chambers County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.
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Minimum Requirements For A Court
You must…
- Live in the county where the name change petition will be filed for at least one year before filing.
- Be 18 or older.
You cannot request a name change…
- While you are involved in any kind of lawsuit, or while you are on probation or parole.
- If you are barred as a child abuse offender from changing your name. ).
- To avoid creditors, fines, or sentences in criminal actions.
- For an unworthy motive, or to commit fraud on the public.
- To change your name to something bizarre, unduly lengthy, ridiculous, or offensive to common decency and good taste.
You Want To Change To A Name Different Than Your Maiden Name
If you want to change to a name different than your maiden name, you will need a deed poll.
Presumably, none of your documents will display the name you wish to change to, and youll have to make your name change official with a deed poll.
Once you have the deed poll, you can use that as evidence of your new name to update various official documents.
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What Should I Do After I Change My Name
You will need to update accounts and legal records that contain your name. To update accounts such as utilities, homeowner’s insurance, your smartphone, and loyalties programs, contact the companies directly. If you have a Roth IRA or brokerage account, you will be required to submit documentation that confirms the name change. Banks require you to visit a branch location with your updated photo ID and divorce decree or court order. Credit cards and mortgages will ask for you to contact customer service directly.
The process is usually more direct with employers. Typically, a copy of your updated photo ID is needed for Human Resources to update payroll information and similar employer-sponsored benefits. As for your mail, the United States Postal Service allows you to update your name online. Visit the website moversguide.usps.com. As for voter registration, you can download the National Voter Registration Application online and mail it in or update your name online through vote.gov.
Post Dissolution Name Change Information
In Florida, you can have your maiden name restored in a Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, which is what a divorce decree is called in the state. You must ask the judge to include the request in the final judgment. Once the judge grants your request, you will need to inform other institutions about the change.
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Can You Change Your Last Name Before Divorce
You may also be able to change your name absent a pending divorce case. So, if youre considering changing back to your maiden name while still married or thinking, Can I use my maiden name without a divorce, you may still be able to do this.
Every adult generally has the right to be called by the name they choose. They can petition the court for a name change. The court will generally grant such requests unless it finds the name change request is an attempt to evade a criminal history or creditors.
In other situations, people may wonder, Can you change your surname before divorce? but they have no intention of legally changing their name. For example, they may simply want to go by a different name for professional reasons or to use on social media. There are generally no rules against changing your name in these ways.
How Can I Change The Name Of My Child
To make minor corrections to a childs first or middle name, contact the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics, www.dshs.state.tx.us to amend the birth certificate. If you want to change the childs last name, you will need a court order.
- A petition for a change of name of a child is a separate lawsuit unless it is part of an adoption or paternity proceeding. It cannot be requested in a divorce or modification suit. If the parties agree to the change, they can use the free court forms on www.texaslawhelp.org.
- The order granting a change of name does not alter custody, visitation, or parental rights and duties, nor is it a substitute for legal adoption. It only changes the name.
- Legal notice of the petition is required for the childs parent , managing conservator, or guardian. A child 10 years or older must consent to the change in writing. The court must find that the change is in the childs best interest.
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How To Change My Name If My Divorce Hasnt Been Finalised
If youre currently separated, but your divorce hasnt been finalised, and you want to change your name right away, you will need to use a deed poll.
Youll need a deed poll because you wont get the decree absolute/final order, which is one of the documents necessary to change your name, till your divorce is finalised.
Changing Your Name Through Marriage Divorce Adoption Or Citizenship
Adults can legally change their names when they get married, divorced, have a marriage annulled, become a United States citizen, are adopted or ask the court for a Name Change.
A child’s name doesn’t change when a parent gets married or divorced. A childs name can be changed through adoption, citizenship, a Paternity case in Family Court, or by asking a civil court for a Child Name Change.
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