Changing your name can be an exciting step, but it can also come with its fair share of legal and practical considerations. Whether it’s because of a marriage, divorce, or personal choice, understanding the process for legally changing your name can make it much easier to navigate.
Updates and Legal Changes
Why the Increase in Name Change Requests?
Recently, there’s been a rise in requests for name changes due to Texas’ new enhanced driver’s license requirement. This form of identification requires that your name match exactly across all documents—such as your driver’s license, social security card, and birth certificate. Many individuals are finding that the names they have been using for years on different forms of ID don’t match their birth certificates. As a result, they are required to resolve these inconsistencies before renewing their licenses.
The Legal Process for Changing Your Name
In Texas, the process for legally changing your name is relatively straightforward. Here’s how it works:
- File a Petition in Court
- You’ll need to file your name change petition in the county where you live. The petition must meet specific requirements, including whether you have a criminal record. While a criminal record (such as a felony or registered sex offender status) doesn’t necessarily prevent a name change, it may involve additional steps.
Submit Fingerprints
- After filing your petition, you’ll need to get fingerprinted. Texas uses an outside company, Safran, for this service. You can find locations throughout Texas by visiting the DPS website or Googling “DPS fingerprint locations.”
Notarize Your Petition
- Your petition must be sworn, meaning it needs to be signed in front of a notary or under a sworn declaration.
Pay Filing Fees
- Filing fees vary by county but generally start around $200. If you can’t afford the fees, you can file a “Statement of Inability to Afford Court Costs.” Supporting documents, such as a rejection letter from a legal aid organization, can help speed up the process.
Attending Your Court Hearing
After your petition is filed, a court hearing will be scheduled. At the hearing, you’ll explain the reason for your name change, and in most cases, it will be granted without much hassle.
If you have a criminal record, additional steps may be required, such as attaching a completed sex offender registration update to your petition or showing that you’ve completed your sentence or received a pardon.
After the Name Change: What to Do Next?
Once your name change has been approved by the court, you’ll receive a certified copy of the court order or a name change certificate. This is where the real work begins. You’ll need to update your new name in various places, such as:
- Driver’s License or State ID
Go to your local DPS office to get a new driver’s license reflecting your new name. - Social Security Card
Fill out form SS-5 on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website to update your name on your social security card. - Banks and Credit Accounts
Notify your bank and other financial institutions of the name change. Pull a credit report to ensure you’ve contacted all your creditors. - Taxes
Make sure your new name is updated with the IRS to avoid tax return delays. Your name on your social security card must match your tax filings. - Utilities
Update your name with your gas, electric, water, and phone service providers. - Medical Providers
Notify your doctors and health insurance companies about your new name. - Employers
Let your employer and HR department know so they can update your records, including tax and retirement documents. - Legal Documents
Update your will, power of attorney, and other legal documents to reflect your new name.
How to Handle a Name Change During Divorce
If you’re changing your name due to a divorce, the process is much easier. You can revert to a previous name, such as your maiden name, as part of the final decree of divorce. Simply request the change during your divorce proceedings. The court will ask if the name change is to avoid creditors or criminal prosecution.
Don’t Forget!
Changing your name requires a bit of paperwork, but it’s not overly complex. Just remember to notify all the necessary organizations and update your legal documents. It’s a good idea to make a checklist to ensure that you don’t forget anything.
