Name on your passport
Mar 12th, 2005, 02:07 PM
#21
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Yes, now that you mention it, I did see my name in the paper prior to the finalization. My attorney did that. I know that seems like a lot of running around, but I don't think that part of it is difficult. In some respects, living in a town of 62,000 is an advantage. We have only one newspaper.
Once it is over, you will be glad you went through it. Have heart! Boots
Once it is over, you will be glad you went through it. Have heart! Boots
Mar 12th, 2005, 02:19 PM
#22
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Thanks, boots! I think I'll bite the bullet and do it.
Just called the credit card company. They said to change my last name on the card I just have to call them up and let them know. At least it's easier with them.
It's not that easy with my Mileage Plus with UA. They want all the documents and also a letter from me requesting the name change on the card!
Just called the credit card company. They said to change my last name on the card I just have to call them up and let them know. At least it's easier with them.
It's not that easy with my Mileage Plus with UA. They want all the documents and also a letter from me requesting the name change on the card!
Mar 12th, 2005, 03:11 PM
#23
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I changed my name in college and then a few years ago when I got married. In the interum, the documentation required for a name change had changed.
When I was in college, I just went to the DMV, had my name changed on my license, and then changed my name on my credit cards, bank accounts, college records, and so on. I never changed the name on my SS card, but it never mattered. I got my passport without any hitches.
When I got married, which was a few years back (post 9/11, which may have had something to do with it), I had to have official documentation to change my name - since I got married, that documentation was my marriage license. I had to change the name on my SS card first, then my license, and then my passport. Once I did those 3 things, I was officially known by a new name.
A good friend recently went to court to get the official documentation to change his name from his Chinese name to his American name. He said it was pretty straight forward, that the various government bodies just want an official paper trail of what you were called previously.
When I was in college, I just went to the DMV, had my name changed on my license, and then changed my name on my credit cards, bank accounts, college records, and so on. I never changed the name on my SS card, but it never mattered. I got my passport without any hitches.
When I got married, which was a few years back (post 9/11, which may have had something to do with it), I had to have official documentation to change my name - since I got married, that documentation was my marriage license. I had to change the name on my SS card first, then my license, and then my passport. Once I did those 3 things, I was officially known by a new name.
A good friend recently went to court to get the official documentation to change his name from his Chinese name to his American name. He said it was pretty straight forward, that the various government bodies just want an official paper trail of what you were called previously.
Mar 16th, 2005, 05:09 AM
#24
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boots and J_Correa and everyone else who had gone through the name changing process, do you remember how long the whole process took? I am traveling in October. Do you think I have enough time if I start it today?
I had done some research and the first step is to get my finger print done at my local law enforcement office. I'm going to go this pm. But my husband cautioned me to be careful since I have only 6 months before my trip.
I had done some research and the first step is to get my finger print done at my local law enforcement office. I'm going to go this pm. But my husband cautioned me to be careful since I have only 6 months before my trip.
Mar 16th, 2005, 07:09 AM
#25
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if you have a deadline due to travel, I'd start with the documents needed to travel! There is a name change form (mostly for marriage I'd assume) for passports. You'll needed to provide your marriage certificate. Why not fill out the form in reverse- from married name to madien name? With you birth and marriage certificates as documentation.
By the way, your other option is to use "your name" as you middle name on all the documents- might be easier to travel as well.
It's clear to me that the furum doesn;t have he answer, just opinion. Mine is that what you want to do it different than changing your name- more like unchanging the name!!
By the way, your other option is to use "your name" as you middle name on all the documents- might be easier to travel as well.
It's clear to me that the furum doesn;t have he answer, just opinion. Mine is that what you want to do it different than changing your name- more like unchanging the name!!
Mar 16th, 2005, 09:38 AM
#26
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tiaw:
I am going to e-mail my daughter-in-law who recently did the name change thing, and I will get back to you then.
I believe it took less than a month for me to get all of it done. It does take a passport office some time to get the passport back to you in any case. As I stated before, I live in a small town, and the courthouse, SS office, postoffice, etc. were all on my way to or home from work, so nothing proved to be a hassle. If you needed a fingerprint, then things have changed some.
Boots
I am going to e-mail my daughter-in-law who recently did the name change thing, and I will get back to you then.
I believe it took less than a month for me to get all of it done. It does take a passport office some time to get the passport back to you in any case. As I stated before, I live in a small town, and the courthouse, SS office, postoffice, etc. were all on my way to or home from work, so nothing proved to be a hassle. If you needed a fingerprint, then things have changed some.
Boots
Mar 16th, 2005, 12:26 PM
#27
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Hi again,
This is the response from my daughter-in-law:
It wasn't that long ago that I changed mine. I got the forms from the post office. I just filled them out and sent them with the necessary paper work. It came back with my name changed on the back of the passport. It wasn't a hassle that I recall.
This is not much help, but we both say it wasn't a hassle. Best of luck to you. I don't think you will have any trouble getting it done before you go on your trip. Boots
This is the response from my daughter-in-law:
It wasn't that long ago that I changed mine. I got the forms from the post office. I just filled them out and sent them with the necessary paper work. It came back with my name changed on the back of the passport. It wasn't a hassle that I recall.
This is not much help, but we both say it wasn't a hassle. Best of luck to you. I don't think you will have any trouble getting it done before you go on your trip. Boots
Mar 16th, 2005, 01:20 PM
#28
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Boots,
Thank you and your D-I-L a lot. I'm relieved to hear that. The longest time shouldn't be more than 6 months....I hope!
Everyone, I decided to get it started today because I didn't really want to wait until I come back 6-7 months later to do it.
This is for anyone that might be interested. I called the county court and waited about 30 minutes to talk to someone for about 3 minutes. She told me I had to go to the court clerk office lacated at county court to get fingerprint cards.
So off I went to court clerk office at the county court as instructed with my heart pounding. Had to wait a bit because of the severe budget cut and they have only one person to help but we had to wait for her to come back from lunch first. No wonder it took them half an hour to answer my call. There were quite a lot of people waiting in line by 1:15pm. One guy told me he had to wait 3 and a half hours one day just to get some documents to photocopy. I was so glad I was number 5 in line. Paid $3.- for the packet which has the instructions and forms (can get these on line) and 2 fingerprint cards plus 2 envelopes (have to get these from court clerk only). Then went on to the sheriff's office which is in the same building to get fingerprinted. Didn't have to wait here. I paid $10.-. I didn't have to fill in the cards. The machine printed it out for me along with my finger prints.
I'm going to have to mail one card to FBI with a money order of $18.- and the other to the local (with $16.50 money order) so they can check and see if I have criminal records. I'm happy to say my record is 100% clean. It will take up to 8 weeks to receive my criminal history back from the FBI and the other one has 72 business hours to complete the record check and place it in the mail.
I'm so happy I've done this much already.
After I get the records back I have to complete all the forms and file the petition. I'll report later.
Thank you and your D-I-L a lot. I'm relieved to hear that. The longest time shouldn't be more than 6 months....I hope!
Everyone, I decided to get it started today because I didn't really want to wait until I come back 6-7 months later to do it.
This is for anyone that might be interested. I called the county court and waited about 30 minutes to talk to someone for about 3 minutes. She told me I had to go to the court clerk office lacated at county court to get fingerprint cards.
So off I went to court clerk office at the county court as instructed with my heart pounding. Had to wait a bit because of the severe budget cut and they have only one person to help but we had to wait for her to come back from lunch first. No wonder it took them half an hour to answer my call. There were quite a lot of people waiting in line by 1:15pm. One guy told me he had to wait 3 and a half hours one day just to get some documents to photocopy. I was so glad I was number 5 in line. Paid $3.- for the packet which has the instructions and forms (can get these on line) and 2 fingerprint cards plus 2 envelopes (have to get these from court clerk only). Then went on to the sheriff's office which is in the same building to get fingerprinted. Didn't have to wait here. I paid $10.-. I didn't have to fill in the cards. The machine printed it out for me along with my finger prints.
I'm going to have to mail one card to FBI with a money order of $18.- and the other to the local (with $16.50 money order) so they can check and see if I have criminal records. I'm happy to say my record is 100% clean. It will take up to 8 weeks to receive my criminal history back from the FBI and the other one has 72 business hours to complete the record check and place it in the mail.
I'm so happy I've done this much already.
After I get the records back I have to complete all the forms and file the petition. I'll report later.
Mar 16th, 2005, 01:54 PM
#29
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I'm not a lawyer but somewhat familiar with the process.
Most states have websites which include information regarding name changes. Google '(name of your) state legal name change' which should direct you to a link.
For a legal name change, you may need to file a verified complaint, order fixing a date of hearing, final judgment and civil Case Information Statement.
The forms and instructions may be there or available to download (just like IRS or INS forms can be accessed).
You'll get a docket number and as stated before, will need to publish the notice to change name about 2 weeks after the hearing.
After a final judgment,in my state,you send certified copies to the Dept. of Treasury, Registrar of Vital Statistic and Motor Vehicles Agency.
The judge orders the name change and for a fee you can order a new birth certificate with your new and legal name.
For reverting back to your 'maiden' name which required documentation but not the legal process of the above, when divorce is involved, the Family Division of court may be helpful.
Consult the website if your situation is fairly simple and you have no outstanding judgemnts against you.
Whatever name we use, whether given, changed legally or assumed by marriage it is critical in this age of identity theft and fraud to have a consistent name with a clean and legal paper trail to protect yourself.
Hope this helps a little.
Most states have websites which include information regarding name changes. Google '(name of your) state legal name change' which should direct you to a link.
For a legal name change, you may need to file a verified complaint, order fixing a date of hearing, final judgment and civil Case Information Statement.
The forms and instructions may be there or available to download (just like IRS or INS forms can be accessed).
You'll get a docket number and as stated before, will need to publish the notice to change name about 2 weeks after the hearing.
After a final judgment,in my state,you send certified copies to the Dept. of Treasury, Registrar of Vital Statistic and Motor Vehicles Agency.
The judge orders the name change and for a fee you can order a new birth certificate with your new and legal name.
For reverting back to your 'maiden' name which required documentation but not the legal process of the above, when divorce is involved, the Family Division of court may be helpful.
Consult the website if your situation is fairly simple and you have no outstanding judgemnts against you.
Whatever name we use, whether given, changed legally or assumed by marriage it is critical in this age of identity theft and fraud to have a consistent name with a clean and legal paper trail to protect yourself.
Hope this helps a little.
