After getting into matrimonial alliance most of the newly weds change their last name to their spouse’s last name. Many people are not prepared for this and do the planning only after the wedding ceremony. With proper documents and a few visits to the Texas county clerk’s office and social security office the task of name change can be achieved without many efforts.
how to change your name after marriage
Your marriage certificate is the principal document for the name change case, after marriage you will have to file your marriage license with the county courthouse and you will receive the marriage certificate in a fortnight’s time by mail. If you are not in possession of a marriage certificate you can make use of the marriage certificate requisition letter .Birth certificate also can be obtained the same way if you don’t have one.
Documents Required for change your name :
Three documents are needed to get a name changed in Texas after getting married. a) Certified copy of the marriage certificate b) proof of identification such as passport, driver’s license or state ID c) age proof in the form of birth certificate, hospital record etc.
Even though your marriage certificate stands as a prime document to
change your name case, you will have to bring your name change into the notice of government agencies especially the social security office and the Department of Motor Vehicles. In order to avoid delay you can fill the form SS-5 in advance. After filling out the form you can take it to your social security office, after examining the details of your personal documents the concerned authorities will issue a certificate approving your name change. Meanwhile you can mail the completed SS-5 form along with your certified marriage certificate, age proof and ID proof to the local social security office for the new social security card. All the documents will be returned by mail in a fortnight’s time.
Once you get the approval of the name change you can take the valid proof to the Department of public safety to get the name changed on your driver’s license. These documents can be made use of for further legal identification (passport etc)
It’s always better to approach the officials in the Social Security Office in person with your marriage certificate, ID proof, present social security card, photograph etc. An authorized staff in the social security office will process the name change .The new social security card will be in your new name. When you go to the social security office take all the documents which have your old name, this is necessary if your marriage certificate is not adequate enough to furnish the required data. In case if you are not an American citizen you have to take your immigration documents to the social security office for their perusal. After changing the name on your passport you need to get your new name stamped on the voter’s registration card too. Again, it’s advisable to go in person to all the related offices to get your name changed because you can get all the submitted documents back in hand as soon as the job is done.