Affordable Legal Help For Legal Name Change

To Change or Not to Change. What’s Best for Your Family?

Name change after marriage is an important choice and couples have several options to choose from. Newly-married individuals can change their last name to a married name or stay with their maiden name.

Keeping your maiden name will allow you to retain your current driver’s license, U.S. passport, credit cards, and other documents and accounts with your legal name.

Required Paperwork

Changing your last name is a process that involves filing paperwork with your marriage certificate. You can obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the county clerk where you applied for your marriage license.

You may also have to provide your birth certificate, social security card, or other identification cards based on your state laws. Some states even issue you a court order after successfully changing your name.

After submitting the completed forms and paperwork, you can obtain legal identification such as a new Social Security card, birth certificate, or a new passport.

Driver’s License & Other New IDs

Don’t forget these when you head to the Department of Motor Vehicles for your new driver’s license. These new IDs will allow you to update your bank accounts, voter registration, doctor’s office, investment accounts, and anything else that requires your legal name.

Some organizations require you to submit paperwork to local and government agencies within a certain period of time after your marriage.

Also, it’s far more common these days to have children from a previous relationship involved when you get married, which may raise additional issues. Whatever option you choose, LegalShield is here to help.

Name Change Resources

The first step is to discuss the options with your soon-to-be spouse and select the right choice for your relationship. Once you know what you’d like to do with your name, it’s time to figure out what documents you need and where to file them. That’s where LegalShield comes in.

LegalShield is your partner in successfully navigating the legal requirements of any type of marriage name change.

Get Educated

If you’re not sure which way to go or you’re curious about what’s legally required for each option, check out these free name change resources.

• Reasons People Change Their Names
• The Legal Guide to Getting Married – A comprehensive guide that covers the name change process (including a checklist) and other marriage-related legal issues such as prenuptial agreements, child custody, and your Will and Living Will.