What To Change When You Change Your Name?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Get your marriage certificate. …
  • Get a new Social Security card. …
  • Get a new driver’s license or state ID card. …
  • Update your vehicle title and registration information. …
  • Update your Passport. …
  • Update your voter registration information. …
  • Update your name with the United States Postal Service (USPS)

Does changing your name affect anything?

You probably expect to need to update your Social Security information and your credit cards, but there are plenty of other people who need to know about your new name as well. “

A name change can have an impact on your taxes

. All the names on your tax return must match Social Security Administration records.

Who to notify when you change your name?

If you’ve changed your name, you must notify

Service NSW within 14 days

. You will need to attend a registry or service centre in person and provide your proof of identity documents, plus a Full Marriage Certificate.

Is changing your name easy?

Although it may be seem daunting to show up at court or fill out legal paperwork, you don’t need to hire a lawyer to change your name.

Filling out a Petition for Name Change can be fairly straightforward

. But if you do feel overwhelmed by navigating the name change process yourself, consider outside help.

Can changing your name change your identity?

Changing names is a small but significant step in changing identity. … For anyone legally changing names, while the court makes it clear it can’t be to evade legal or financial obligations, this can often be an uncited reason to the courts.

Why would a name change be denied?

Reasons a Judge Will Deny Name Change

If a Name Change

is likely to cause harm

, confusion, fraud, etc., you may get denied. … A Judge will deny a petition to change a child’s name if the Judge believes Granting the Name Change would not be in the best interest of the child. This kind of denial is very rare.

What are the disadvantages of changing your name?

Con: It’s not free


It needs to get notarized

. If your name change is the result of a divorce or a marriage, you may need additional documentation. It’s not prohibitively expensive — court fees may be a few hundred dollars — but it does cost money. This is only something you want to do if you’re serious about it.

Can I use a different last name without legally changing it?

Limitations and restrictions. In NSW,

you can only change your name once in a 12-month period and 3 times in your lifetime

. If you change your name or use an additional or other name with the intention of breaking the law in any way, you could face criminal charges.

How many times can I change my name?

How often can I change my name? Unless you are changing your name as a result of marriage or divorce, you can only change your name

once every 12 months

. Some states have rules about how many times you are allowed to change your name.

What is the cost to change your name?

In general, anyone can legally change their name for any reason except to commit fraud or evade the law. To make it official, you’ll need a court order legally changing your name. The procedure for getting that order depends on the state and county where you live—and the cost will range from

$150 to $436

.

Do you need a reason to change your name?


You don’t need to have any kind of valid reason to change your name

, so long as it is not for any fraudulent purpose, such as avoiding paying a debt or fulfilling an obligation — you are free to change your name at any time. However typical reasons people change their name are: … because you dislike your current name.

Is changing your last name difficult?

Changing your last name after

marriage isn’t usually difficult

, but it does require some organizational skills and plenty of patience as you deal with paperwork and government offices.

What are the benefits of changing your name?

Legally changing your name does offer quite a few potential benefits. First of all, it

can give you a fresh start

. Whether you want to put a difficult past behind you, escape the attentions of a stalker or start fresh during a new phase in your life, a legal name change can be very empowering.

Does changing your name change your Social Security number?

Please note that

your Social Security number will not change

. … When you change the name on your Social Security card — whether through marriage, divorce, court order, or another reason — you need to contact the SSA to receive a corrected card.

How hard is it to change your identity?

The quick answer is that no, you can’t completely erase your identity in this day and age — unless the government does it for you.

Legally changing your name isn’t too difficult

. … But even if you do change your name and SSN, the system will still have records that link the “new” you to the “old” you.

Will changing my name help with identity theft?


The court method

is the preferred way to change a name for identity thieves because it is a relatively simple process. … Because changing your name is so simple, thieves take advantage of the opportunity by obtaining your Social Security number and using it to secure loans and open up new lines of credit.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.