How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Virginia

Changing My Name After Marriage in Virginia

According to § 8.01-217 of the Virginia Code, state residents of Virginia can legally alter their names for various reasons, including political, personal, or religious ones. Individuals can initiate a name change action to alter their birth names, restore maiden names after divorce, adopt a married partner's name, or change careers.

In Virginia, name changes are a common occurrence and are easy to execute. Depending on the reasons for choosing to alter one's name, a name change action can be initiated during marriage preparations, divorce proceedings, or by petitioning the county or city circuit courts of the state court system.

Virginia marriage records are an essential part of the name change process in the state. To access these records, the requesting party may query the courthouses or local repository in the judicial district where the marriage license was generated.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Virginia

In most cases, a certified marriage license is required to alter one's name after marriage in Virginia. Thus, the name change procedure begins before the wedding ceremony and consists of several steps that a couple must follow.

First, an individual that wants to take their partner's name must obtain a marriage license from the county or city circuit court. A few identity documents and other papers will be required to receive the permit. Still, it is essential to check with the local office because the criteria may differ by county. The couple must then fill out the license application, ensuring to include their former and new names. Listing the new name does not change the individual's name immediately, but it initiates the process.

On completing the wedding ceremony, The clergy member or officiant who joined the couple in matrimony must sign the license and deliver it to the county clerk's office. The couple will receive their marriage certificate, which will include their new name and signature, in roughly two weeks. The certified copy of a marriage license is the legal document that proves that the couple is legally married under the state's authority. As a result, the name change is permitted.

This document will serve as legal proof of the name change to various state or federal bodies and institutions. For example, the Social Security Administration (social security card), the Department of Motor Vehicles (driver's license), the U.S. Department of State (passport), etc.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Virginia

Individuals who changed their names legally must apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for a corrected Social Security card. This process is not particular to Virginia, but it is required to complete other state-specific updates - for example, getting a new driver's license from the state's DMV.

To begin, individuals must obtain the name change form and provide documents that prove identity, citizenship, and the legal name change. The instructions required to complete the application form are written on it.

The form and required documents should be mailed or hand-delivered to a local SSA office. It is worth noting that this procedure is completely free and that the SSA only accepts certified copies or originals of all required documents.

The SSA will mail the new social security card to the applicant in about two to four weeks. The new name will be endorsed on this card, but the old social security number will remain.

How to Get a New Driver's License in Virginia

After at least 48 hours of applying for a new Social Security card, an individual with a new name can update their Virginia DMV information and request a new driver's license or non-driver ID card. To do this, they must;

Complete all required forms
Provide proof of residence in the state
Provide a certified legal name change document
Submit their current driver's license
Pay a $20 fee.

The paperwork that the applicant must submit is determined by the action that they want the department to take. For example, to replace an existing card, the applicant must fill out the Driver's License and Identification Card Application. It must be completed by the person who wishes to change their ID name. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website has all of the necessary information. Like the SSA, a Virginia DMV name change requires only original paperwork. Photocopies and faxes are not accepted.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Virginia

Life, health, car, and long-term disability insurance are common coverages used by Virginia residents. The majority of these insurance policies are offered by private companies that the state regulates. If individuals change their names, they must notify all of their insurance providers after completing the official name change with government agencies. This ensures that the name on their identity documents corresponds to their insurance coverage(s). The following documents are required for this update:

A written request to replace the old name
A passport or a driver's license
A copy of the court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree indicating the name change

Where Do I Go to Change My Last Name in Virginia

Aside from initiating a name change through marriage, name changes can also be accomplished during divorce proceedings or by petitioning the court.

Name change during a divorce.

Individuals who apply for a divorce in Virginia must live in the state for at least six months before filing. It is also necessary to file a name change affidavit before the final divorce. Failure to do so may result in the individual submitting a new and separate petition for a name change in the circuit court. When changing one's name during divorce proceedings in Virginia, the divorced party may only revert to a maiden name, not a new one. When the divorce is finalized, the signed divorce decree will reflect the name change and serve as a legal name change document for updating agencies and organizations.

Adult name change without marriage or divorce

Individuals who want to change their names without marriage and divorce proceedings must petition the circuit court in the country or city where they live. They can use the state's circuit courts' name change paperwork. The procedure is straightforward, but petitioners must first meet specific requirements before initiating this action with the court. Anyone who wishes to file a name change action in Virginia must have lived there for at least six (6) months. An adult petitioner must also complete the following steps to file a legal petition:

Fill the Adult Name Change Application and the Cover Sheet for Filing Civil Actions. These documents must be notarized.
To file the forms with the court clerk, the petitioner must bring a certified copy of their birth certificate and the completed paperwork to a local circuit court. Before going to the courthouse, the petitioner should make copies of the paperwork and prepare a self-addressed envelope. They should also come with the proper name change filing fee, which varies based on the county in which the petitioner files.

After evaluating the petition, the circuit court may authorize the name change without a hearing in many situations. If there are objections to the name change or the court finds anomalies in the application, a hearing may be required. Following the approval of a name change, the judge will sign a court order, which will be mailed to the petitioner in a few weeks. All name changes requested for fraudulent purposes will be denied under Virginia law. To make the name change official, the petitioner must obtain a certified copy of the circuit court's order.

Minor (Child) Name Change

Minors (children less than 18 years old) can also change their names in Virginia. Although the process is similar to the adult name change, different forms must be completed, and the minor's biological parents must file the petition. If the parents are deceased, the petition can be filed by the child's legal guardian. Like the adult name change, the petitioner must have lived in the state and county for at least six (6) months. If the court believes that the action is in the minor's best interests, the court may grant the petition for a name change.

How to Update Information with Virginia Mortgage and Utility Companies?

After notifying the Social Security Administration and the state DMV of a legal name change, it's crucial to notify mortgage lenders. The methods for completing such updates vary depending on the mortgage lender. However, they all require presenting copies of the new identity and the legal name change documents for inspection.

Likewise, utility companies have their techniques for updating this information. They will usually offer a form to document any changes and evaluate the individual's account history, identification documents, and name change certification. Overall, it is strongly recommended that anyone desiring to alter their name change contact their utility provider for direction.

What Documents Do I Need to Change My Name after Marriage?

In Virginia, the following documents are required to change one's name after marriage:

A government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, military ID, state ID, or passport.
A certified copy of the birth certificate.
If either partner is under 18, notarized consent from a parent or legal guardian is required.
Information about previous marriages, including divorces and, if applicable, death. Although most counties will only ask for the month and year of the divorce or death, some will request the actual vital records.

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in Virginia

The court clerk's office where the marriage license was first issued can provide a certified copy of one's marriage license. This information is also accessible from the Virginia Division of Vital Records. The division keeps marriage records from January 1853 until the present.

Although marriage records are public, certified copies are only available to a few. For instance, the spouses, either party's parents, adult children, and grandparents. Individuals seeking their marriage certificates must fill out an application. In this application, they must provide information such as the names of the persons involved, the date of the ceremony, the location of the wedding, and the name of the court that issued the license.

The application can be sent to the vital records division, along with a $12.00 search charge and a photocopy of a valid ID at:

Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
2001 Maywill Street
Suite 101, Richmond
VA 23230
Phone: (804) 662-6200

How to Change Your Name After Marriage

A reliable alternative for obtaining vital records are third party websites. These are non-governmental aggregate sites that process record requests in a seamless, timely manner. While obtaining records from third-party sources is substantially easier than sourcing them from government-run repositories, the records and information contained in these sites may vary since they are privately-owned and independent of government sources.

How to Get a New Passport in Virginia

Every travel document must provide the same information about a person's identity. Therefore, a new U.S. passport must be obtained from the United States Department of State after a name change.

There are three distinct application forms to pick from to effect a name change. The selection is based on the applicant's passport status. These forms include:

The passport correction form for cases where the applicant's current passport is less than a year old.
The passport renewal application form. This is used when the applicant's current passport is in good condition and was issued within 15 years when the applicant was at least 16 years old.
The standard passport application form, applicable when the applicant does not fall under the categories stated above. For instance, newlyweds that need a passport in their new name can use this passport application.

While the passport correction form and passport renewal application may be sent to the Passport Acceptance Facility via mail, the standard passport application can only be hand-delivered. The applicant must submit the form along with these documents:

An existing passport, if applicable
A color passport photo
A certified legal name change document
Proof of identity and a photocopy
Proof of citizenship and a photocopy

The price of this service differs by the application form used. Applicants may also choose to pay an additional $60 for quicker service. This allows them to get their new passport in four to six weeks, rather than the usual ten to twelve weeks.

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in Virginia?

In Virginia, banks have specialized processes for changing and updating a customer's bank account name. Contacting the bank or visiting the branch in person is the quickest way to update this information. Usually, the customer service center will provide detailed information on how to begin the update process, prices, required papers, and how long the update will take.

Although each bank's procedures differ, most banks will examine the legal name change document and a state-issued identity card (e.g., driver's license). While altering the name on the bank account, also order new credit cards, debit cards, and checkbooks to ensure consistency and avoid problems caused by mismatched information.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in Virginia After Marriage?

The time it takes to change one's name after marriage depends on how soon a person can obtain a marriage license and a certified copy of it. Persons who return their marriage licenses on time will obtain their certified copies quickly.

Regardless of unanticipated delays, it is possible to receive a marriage license and have the wedding ceremony on the same day as Virginia does not require waiting periods. Due to the lack of stay periods, certified copies of marriage licenses can be obtained within the 60 days that a license is valid.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in Virginia?

A complete name change action in Virginia can take up to six (6) months, sometimes even longer, regardless of how the name change action is commenced, either by marriage, divorce, or another event. This is because the time it takes for a certified name change document to be ordered or decreed varies by county and courthouse. As a result, the time to update important state and federal government records with the new name is unpredictable.