How to Change Your Name After Marriage in New Hampshire
Changing My Name After Marriage in New Hampshire
Societal institutions like marriage have several norms, and one of them is a name change. Some married parties choose to either add on or take a partner’s last name after marriage. Social, cultural, financial, and religious considerations can contribute to a name change decision. The reason notwithstanding, New Hampshire provides guidelines and requirements to legitimize name change in the state. The marriage certificate is one of such requirements as it is the primary proof of a change in status and name. The Division of Vital Records Administration maintains marriage records in New Hampshire and makes the records available to the public on request. New Hampshire marriage records are also maintained by the county clerks office in the judicial district where the license for the marriage was issued.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire name change process involves the following steps:
- Obtaining a marriage license or court order
- Updating social security details with the Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Updating driver’s license at the Division of Motor Vehicles
- Updating passport and other state-issued IDs
The name change process in New Hampshire can be cost-intensive and overwhelming, especially for people who have little grasp of the legal system and state-instituted processes. To make things easier and faster, interested parties may hire lawyers who will assist in filing necessary forms and fulfilling other necessary steps in the process. However, attorney fees may also be expensive. Parties who cannot afford filing fees can file petitions for fee waivers in court; these petitions can allow such parties to access the services at reduced rates, using payment plans, or at no cost. To get a waiver, the party must sufficiently prove financial inability to the court.
How to Update Your Social Security Card in New Hampshire?
Interested parties may update social security cards in person or at a local office or by mailing the required documentation to the Social Security Administration. Requestors need the following:
- Proof of legal name change, such as a court order or marriage certificate
- A completed application form
- Proof of US citizenship
- Proof of identity
The SSA may also request documents that show the requesting party’s old name. Requesting parties may also send certified or original copies of all the required documents. The SSA will return all the documents after processing the update. Requestors may use the office locator to find the nearest SSA office.
How to Get a New Driver’s License in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire State laws require anyone who has changed names to notify the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Endeavor to submit the notification in writing within 30 days of the legal name change. The New Hampshire DMV does not accept name change requests by mail. Therefore, requesting parties must make appointments to appear in person at the nearest DMV office. In addition, the requesting party must present the following at the DMV:
- A current driver’s license
- A completed record change request form
- Marriage certificate or court order
The New Hampshire DMV issues updated driver’s licenses at no cost. However, the requesting party must submit the current driver’s license. The DMV will issue a temporary license (valid for 60 days) and mail the updated license to the requesting party.
How to Update Your Insurance Information in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, the Insurance Department protects the citizens’ interests by regulating insurance agencies’ activities and ensuring that the agencies can pay claims. The types of insurance available in the state include:
- Annuities and life insurance
- Business owners insurance
- Automobile insurance
- Homeowners’ insurance
- Health insurance
- Workers’ compensation
- Substance use disorder and behavioral health insurance
- Senior services
Persons who want to update insurance information can simply contact an insurance agency by phone to notify the agency of a name change. However, some insurance agencies may need the requesting party to be physically present. In all, insurance agencies may request proof of identity or a legal name change.
Where Do I Go to Change My Last Name in New Hampshire?
The first port of call for persons who want to change last names in New Hampshire is the Circuit Court in the county where the party lives. Newly married persons may indicate the name change on marriage licenses at the point of marriage. Persons who did not indicate a name change at the time of wedding may file a change of name petition in the Circuit Court. The court requires such parties to file proof of identification such as a copy of the party’s birth certificate, passport, or driver’s license with the petition. Requesting parties must also be residents of New Hampshire at the time of the request. The court charges a $110 filing fee for a change of name petition. After filing, the court will notify the requesting party of a scheduled hearing date. If the court grants the petition, it will issue a Certificate of Name Change after the hearing.
How to Update Information with New Hampshire Mortgage and Utility Companies?
Utility bills can impact a person’s credit score. Therefore, it is important to have the correct legal name on utility bills. Updating information with mortgage companies is also beneficial as it ensures that a property owner can easily refinance or resell loans and liens. To update information with New Hampshire mortgage and utility companies, interested parties may visit the companies in person or contact the companies by phone with the information update. Such parties will only need to provide proof of identification and name change. Mortgage and utility companies typically update information at no cost.
What Documents Do I Need to Change My Name after Marriage?
The following are documents needed for a name change after marriage:
- A marriage license or certificate
- A certificate of name change or court order
- An updated social security card
- Documents that show the requesting party’s old name
- Updated driver’s license or passport
How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in New Hampshire?
Interested parties may obtain certified copies of marriage licenses from New Hampshire’s Divison of Vital Records Administration (DVRA). It is possible to request certified copies of marriage licenses online on the DVRA website. However, users must register to access records online. Requesting parties may also mail a written request or a completed application to the DVRA at:
New Hampshire Department of State
Division of Vital Records Administration
9 Ratification Way
Concord, NH 03301-2455
Requesting parties may also get certified copies of marriage records from town or city clerks. The DVRA charges $15 for certified copies of marriage records. Additional copies of the same record cost $10 each. Requesting parties may make payment by money order, or personal checks addressed to the Treasurer, State of New Hampshire. The applicant must also present a copy of government-issued photo identification.
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 New Hampshire?
Interested parties may get new passports from the Department of State (DOS). To get an updated passport after a name change in New Hampshire, requesting parties must follow the DOS guidelines for updating information on passports. The requirements and procedures vary, depending on the requesting party’s situation. If the requesting party wants to make a change less than a year after a recent passport issue, the person may update the passport at no cost. Such a person must submit:
- A completed application form (DS-5504)
- The most recent US passport
- One colored passport photograph
- A certified or original name change document.
It is important to note that an update request made more than one year after a passport issue attracts an application fee. In this case, the requesting party may mail in the following documents:
- A completed application form (DS-82)
- A marriage certificate, court order, or ID with the new name
- A recent US passport
- Application fee
- One colored passport photograph (see specifications)
Requesting parties can only mail passport applications to the DOS through USPS. Parties with damaged or worn passports or persons whose passports were issued more than 15 years before the time of the request are not eligible to apply by mail. Such parties must submit passport requests in person at a passport acceptance facility using the Form DS-11. Routine passport processing takes up to 18 weeks. However, the DOS provides expedited services at additional costs to persons who urgently need travel documents. Expedited passports take up to 12 weeks. Persons who need to travel urgently may apply for a 72-hour expedition at an agency.
How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in New Hampshire?
It is important to maintain updated financial records; therefore, New Hampshire residents must notify banks and other financial institutions of any changes in legal status. Interested parties may contact financial institutions for information on how to update bank account names, checkbooks, credit cards, and debit cards’ information. Persons who change names after marriage must also review debit and credit card statements for automated payments and subscriptions that require information updates. Employers may need to update payroll and benefits information with the new name. It is important to confirm the employer’s list of required updates.
How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in New Hampshire After Marriage?
The time it takes to change a person’s name in New Hampshire varies depending on the individual and other considerations. There are different steps in the name change process, and each of the steps requires processing time. Depending on the court’s schedule, a change of name certificate or court order could take weeks, and the same applies to other agencies. Interested parties may contact relevant agencies for information on processing times.
How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in New Hampshire?
Once a person receives a Certificate of Change of Name or court order, the person may assume legal use of the new name. New Hampshire Courts provide the certificates immediately after a name change hearing. However, to ensure that the new name is a recognized part of the person’s identity, the certificate recipient must provide updates to all relevant government databases.
