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How To Legally Change Your Name PDF Free Download

Name Change After Marriage
General information about changing your name after marriage:
State Residency – Not one state requires you to be a resident in their state to get married.
Some states have some small differences but in general, you can marry in any state regardless of where you’re from in the United States.
In Florida, not only do you not need to be a resident to get married, you do not need to be a citizen of the United States.
Age Requirement – 18 years of age
Identification – Valid photo ID
Cost – $110-$200 (Varies by State)
For educational purposes, this instructional guide will take you from the very first step (engagement ) to changing your name after marriage.
How to Change Your Name
People change their names for a variety of reasons.
By far the most common reason people change their name (last name) is due to marriage or divorce.
Other reasons include:
Entertainment Stage Name
Gender Transition
State Witness Program
Troubled History
Dislike of Birth Name
Restoring a Former Name
Family Fallout
The process of changing your name is not difficult however it requires a tedious effort to do so.
There are many steps, which can be slow at times, that are required to successfully change your name.
It’s easy to change your name in social settings, all you have to do is introduce yourself with your desired name.
It’s changing all your documents which is the hard part which includes your identification card, social security card, birth certificate and credit cards.
The following are the steps to successfully change your name.
Step 1 – Clerk of Court
The very first step in the process of changing your name starts by going to your local county clerk’s office.
There, you will find out if you need a lawyer for the process, but typically your county clerk’s office will give you information pertaining to self-help so you can do the name change on your own without hiring a lawyer.
Each state has their own procedure so it’s important to go to your local county clerk’s office to gather this information.
What to bring to your local county clerk’s office?
You will need the following:
Valid State Identification Card
Pay Stub or Utility Bill for Proof of Residency
Social Security Number and Full Name
Money for Information Packets and Forms
A Pen for writing
Step 2 – File a Petition for a Change of Name
A Petition for a Change of Name form must be completed. It’s the primary document used in order to submit your name change request.
This document can be mailed or submitted online depending on your state.
Once the form and other documents are completed, go to your local county clerk’s office to have them reviewed. This can save a lot of time and trouble if you made a mistake filling out the form.
If completed by mail, make certain to make 2 copies of the form and send the original.
A filing fee is required by most states, however, in some cases, it’s possible to apply for a fee waiver.
Step 3 – Set a Court Date
Once the petition is filed with the county clerk, they will issue you a court date which will allow you to present the reason(s) for changing your name.
Typically the court will issue the court date in 4-6 weeks from submitting your petition.
It may seem like a long wait for a rather simple court hearing. However, in most cases, there will be actions that you must complete before the court hearing and the long wait gives you plenty of time to complete the necessary actions.
This leads us to our next step.
Step 4 – Publishing Your New Name
One very common thing that most states require is the requirement to make a publication in your local newspaper of the new name change.
It’s always a good idea to call your local newspaper and ask about the cost of publication.
Making certain that you have enough money to cover the court filing fees and newspaper publication costs is imperative.
If required, your state will give you the correct document which is used in your newspaper publication.
You will also need a copy of your petition for a change of name form.
Once printed in the newspaper, save it for your future court date.
Step 5 – Sign Decree at Court Hearing
Bring all documents to your court hearing. Arrive early and do not be late.
It’s your responsibility to find the correct courtroom if you do not have an attorney helping you through the process.
If the judge approves your application, a decree will be signed which is the most important document because it allows you to change your name on all the most sensitive documents including your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate and social security card.
Once you have all your sensitive documents changed, you can then go to your bank and have the name of your debit/credit cards changed as well.
Author | – |
Language | English |
No. of Pages | 1 |
PDF Size | 1 MB |
Category | Form |
Source/Credits | changeofnameads.com |
How To Legally Change Your Name PDF Free Download