There are many reasons why people want to have their names changed legally. The most common reasons are the following:
– they don’t want their birth names
– couples recently just got married
– they just got divorced
– gender reassignment
Once the names have been changed, all legal documents will display your new name and other changes that go with it. On this note, how much does it cost to change your name?
Apparently, the price to change name varies from one state to another. It also depends on how thorough the process is and how
fast you want your name to be changed. And the most important thing you need to obtain for the name changing process is a court order, which is the biggest name change cost to be covered. Although the services of a lawyer are not necessarily needed to get a court order, you still have to set aside an amount from $150 to $500 to spend on court filing fees and other significant documents.
Moreover, the needed documentation for the process of name changing varies according to the state while the fees depend on the country where you currently reside. Unfortunately, the states do not have the same fees, so to avoid miscalculations, it is best to check your local County Courthouse website to find out the accurate price needed to spend in filing the required court documents. But usually, the filing fee is about $25 for every document.
In order to begin the procedures for changing your name, you must first get the legal forms, which can either be an Affidavit of Name Change, Petition for Name Change, or Order for Name Change, from your local courthouse for free. You also have the option to buy the generic forms at an office supply store for only $1 to $2 every form. After the Court has ordered the name change, you need to spend for additional expenses, which may range from $15 to $20 for every copy you have requested. You also need to publish your new name in a newspaper, increasing the name change cost.
Legal Documents that should Carry Your Changed Name
1. How much does it cost to change your name on the birth certificate? According to The Law Dictionary, the price to change name on the birth certificate ranges from $32 to $45, consisting of a processing fee around $20 to $25 and official copies with state seal for $12 to $20. And most importantly, you need to present a certified copy of your court order.
2. How much does it cost to change your name on the passport? The price to change name depends on the date the passport was issued. If it was officially given to you less than a year ago, then you will not spend for a name change cost. You only need to submit the DS-5504 form, your current passport, certified copy of your court order, and a colored passport photo by mail. But if you are in a hurry, then you can pay $60 to expedite the process, giving you the passport back within three weeks.
However, in circumstances when the passport has been with you for more than a year already, you have to pay up to $165 for the name change process. In addition, you need to submit the DS-82 form, your current passport, certified copy of your court order, and a colored passport photo by mail.
3. There is no charge if you want to change your name on your Social Security card. You only need to mail a proof of your identity and a filled-out Social Security Card Application to your local Social Security office. In some cases , you may need to include a proof of your current American citizenship or legal status of being a non-citizen.
4. How much does it cost to change your name on the driver’s license or state identification card? The name change cost for these IDs depends on the jurisdiction of the state where you currently reside. But in most cases, the price to change name does not go beyond $50.
5. Just like your social security card, there is no fee if you want to change your name on the insurance policies, voter registration, as well as, investment and retirement accounts.
6. Bank accounts, on the other hand, does not charge any amount for the change name process. However, you may be charged with $10 for a new debit card and $35 for replacement checks. Meanwhile, credit cards usually have no fees for a changed name.
7. When it comes to mortgages, you do not have to worry about paying fees because there are no charges to have your name changed. But you should know that most banks do require an original copy of your name change court order.
Change Name After Marriage
If you want to use the last name of your husband after marriage, then you only need to provide an original copy of your marriage certificate to have your name changed on all legal and official documents. There is no need for you to file a court order for a name change.
But in cases when the husband wants to use his wife’s last name or the couple plans to have a new last name, there is a need for the involved individuals to file a name change petition with the court.
Change Name After Divorce
If you had your name changed after marriage, but you want to use your original name after getting a divorce, then you may request to include a name change on the final and official divorce decree. By doing this, you only need to present an original copy of your divorce decree to change your name on all of your legal IDs and documents.
If you were not able to include the name change on the divorce decree, then you need to file a petition with the court for the name change for yourself, including your children (only if you have children).