Name
Change Requirements:
Brides Information for Name Change
Many brides will choose to change their last name to their husband's
last name, as is the general tradition following the wedding ceremony.
However, it has become acceptable for a woman to keep her maiden
name if she so chooses. Many women who have developed a professional
career choose to do this to avoid confusing their clients. Other
women compromise by hyphenating their names with their husbands.
Legally Changing
Your Name Is Not Enough
There is a difference between legally changing your name and
having your records changed. Most people get confused and think
that, for
example, changing your name with Social Security or on your Passport,
is legally changing your name. That is not true. Changing your
name with Social Security is not legally changing your name.
That is just
a change of record so you will be sure to get the proper Social
Security benefits later on. Whats Next?
You still have to change your identification and records. Different government
agencies and private institutions have different requirements for changing
your record with them. For some it can be as simple as a phone call. Others
just need a written letter and a photocopy of some documentation. And there
are those that require a special form be filled-out, signed and a certified
copy of a government or court order be submitted.
I have found changing records can be the most difficult part of
the process. The different requirements from organization to organization
can be confusing enough on its own. Unfortunately the people you
speak with at those organizations may themselves not know the proper
method for changing your name on their records for their organization.
They may be misinformed, untrained, unwilling to admit they don't
know, or the requirements may have changed and they haven't heard
yet. Whatever the reason a lot of misinformation is given out which
only confuses and prolongs the process.
Tip for The Name-Changing Process:
When changing your name, start with your driver's license and then
your Social Security card. Many companies and organizations will
have difficulty working with a marriage certificate. They are just
not used to it. But they will not question a license or Social
Security card. It will be easier to change your record with many
places if you have a license or Social Security card with your
new name on it first. However you change your name make sure that
you change it with the social security office first.
Social Security
Requirements
For a name change on your card, you must complete the SS-5
form and provide documentation that shows
your old name and your new name
(such as your marriage license). You should also be prepared with
at least one other form of identification from the following list:
Drivers
license
Marriage or divorce record
Military records
Employer ID card
Adoption record
Insurance policy
Passport
Health Insurance card (not a Medicare card)
School ID card
The Social
Security office cannot accept photocopies of documents. You
must submit original documents or copies certified by
the custodian of the record. Notarized copies are not acceptable.
If you were
born outside the United States, you also generally must show proof
of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.
Your new card
will show your new name but will have the same number as your old
card. The Social Security
Office
cannot accept
your
old Social Security card as evidence of identity.
Office Address:
4701 OLD WAKE FOREST
RALEIGH , NC 27609
(800) 772-1213
(919) 790-2782
TTY: (919) 790-2773
Monday Friday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Other Documents
That Must Be Changed
After you have changed your name with the social security office,
make sure that you change it on the following documents:
your driver's license
your vehicle registration
your voter registration card
your passport
your employer's records
your bank accounts
your credit accounts
your stocks and bonds
your wills
your insurance policies
your property titles
your medical records
Change Your Drivers License Next
Your drivers license and automobile registration both need amendment.
For a name change you will need to go in person to your local branch
office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to submit your forms.
The forms are usually located just inside the door as you enter.
North Carolina
requires two forms of identification such as a certified copy of
your marriage license and your current drivers license. A
certified copy of your birth certificate and a U.S. Passport are
two other types of proof of identity everyone accepts without question.
The official forms contain detailed instructions. To save yourself
some time be aware that often you will have the opportunity to
make your voter registration changes on forms supplied by the Department
of Motor Vehicles.
Raleigh (Wake)
1100 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, N.C. 27697
(919) 861-3577
Hours: 8:00 - 5:00 M-F
Cary (Wake)
1251 Buck Jones Road
South Hills Shopping Mall
Cary, N.C. 27606
(919) 469-1444
Hours: 8:30 - 5:00 M-F
Fuquay-Varina
(Wake)
131 S. Fuquay Avenue
Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 27526
(919) 552-9043
Hours: 9:00 - 4:30 M-F
Wake Forest
(Wake)
2012 South Main Street, Suite 504
Wake Forest, N.C. 27587
(919) 554-0770
Hours: 9:00 - 5:00 M-F
Zebulon (Wake)
815 N. Arendell Avenue
Zebulon, N.C. 27597
(919) 269-0117
Hours: 9:00 - 5:00 M-F
Submit A Written
Request
When changing your name, be sure that you submit a written request
to all institutions with which you are changing your
name. Your letter should include the following items:
A sentence
stating that you were recently married and you are informing them
of a change to the account
The account number to be changed
The current name on the account to be changed
The current cardholder or member's social security
number if applicable
The previous information including both husband's
and wife's names, address and phone numbers
The new information including both husband and
wife's full names, social security numbers and new
address
and phone
number
Include a sentence saying exactly what you want
changed, e.g. name, address, or add spouse's name.
Any special instructions that you may have
Request any additional forms or requirements that
may be necessary to facilitate the changes you are
requesting.
Have both spouses sign and date the document
A copy of your marriage license
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