How do you change your name in Alabama?
Suppose you are someone who wants to change their name in Alabama. But you don’t know how to change your name or where you can get your initials. Congrats! This article uncovers everything you need to know about changing your name in Alabama and how to navigate these crucial requirements. Name Change in Alabama is easy and uncomplicated, whether after marriage or divorce. Add the name change request to the proceedings. It’s a simplified procedure as it is already part of the paperwork. If your name change results from other reasons, such as personal preference, you may be required to go to the court and file a petition, provide your reasons for the change, and attend a hearing. Once the app name change is approved, you must change the name on your official documents, such as your driver’s license and passport. The Alabama name change process is typically less complicated when linked with marriage or divorce. You can fill out a name change form. Our filing expert helps You Prepare All Required valid Name Change Papers, including Last Name Change and Name Change After Marriage.
Places You Need to Go To Change Your Name
Usually, changing your name involves going to the courthouse or a government office. Usually, this procedure is completed by filling out the forms, submitting the necessary documents, and attending a hearing in court in case it’s not related to marriage or divorce. It is a formal procedure; your new name will be legally recognized once you do it.
Security Card
For you to update your name on your Social Security card, you will be required to fill out the application for a Social Security card and provide identity documents, for example, a driver’s license or passport and a document showing your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. After you submit the application and documents, your updated name will be printed on the card and delivered by mail.
Driver’s License
In most cases, you must visit the Department of Public Safety or the corresponding driver’s license agency in your state to change your driver’s license name. You’ll need your current driver’s license, name change documents, like a marriage certificate or court order, and any other documents that might be required. They will process your name change request, update your information, take a new photo of you if required, and give you a new license with the updated name.
bank Accounts
Whether you are sharing accounts with your spouse or just changing your accounts, you must go into the branch with a marriage certificate and a new driver’s license, which you acquired recently. In this regard, you must order new checks and debit cards with the married name written on them. Try to change your name on the mortgage/loan you hold with the bank simultaneously.
IRS
A name change may affect your tax returns, and you should ensure that your tax return has the same name as the one on your Social Security record. Remember that this process will also involve changing your name with your employer so that it will be reflected in your W-2 and other paperwork properly.
Voter Registration
This one does not come up often, but you certainly wouldn’t want to miss out, so be sure to get this one out of the way.
Passport
Luckily, this process is very similar to the IRS and voter registration, which are easy to complete.
Credit Cards
First, you must have your name changed on your Social Security card and your driver’s license. While changing your name on the credit card(s) isn’t difficult, it may be time-consuming, depending on your number of cards. You will first have to look up the name change policy for each credit card. That can be found on their website. This is where you will get the list you need, like a new ID and legal documents with your new name. Some may even require you to replace your Social Security card, so you must first deal with your government-issued ID documents. The good news is that you can do this for some cards online or by mail. Other cards, such as the ones from your bank, require you to go to a nearby branch. Collecting all your cards and preparing a comprehensive list of their policies is best.
Alternative Naming Processes
In Alabama! In Alabama, if you want to change your name other than through marriage or divorce, you might be required to file a petition, give the reasons for the change, and attend a hearing. Once the endorsement is given, you can now revise your official documents. It is more complex than the process connected to marriage or divorce, but possible.
Making it Official
If you are ready to make your new name, you can begin submitting the necessary papers and following the instructions provided by the state. It’s a wonderful thing that will happen to you, and once the approval is obtained, you will be ready to use your new name.
Cost to Change Your Name
The price of changing your name can differ from state to state, considering the specific issues of your name change. For instance, the cost of changing your name through marriage or divorce documents is normally built into those processes in Alabama. Nevertheless, suppose you’ll change your name for reasons apart from marriage or divorce. In that case, you may be liable to pay additional charges, such as filing fees for the petition and court proceedings. Before setting out to change your name in Alabama, it is recommended that you visit the local courthouse or any other legal resources to get a true picture of the costs involved.
Different costs exist, but here are the overall expenses you will incur.
Marriage License — $71 — $88 (or even $11 with the courses approved)
Certified Copies of the Marriage License — $3-$15 each (county-based)
Passport Update — $110
Online Name Change in Alabama
In Alabama, it is difficult to change your name online. More often than not, you have to fill out forms, gather documents, and do everything in person. It is more involved than just clicking a few buttons on the web. The process is more conventional and requires you to visit the office personally. Hence, it would help if you went to the right office to take a new name after marriage or for any other purpose.
Name change checklist in Alabama
In Alabama, changing your name is a quite multi-stage process
l Based on your surname being amended due to your marriage, you’ll require a certified copy of your certified marriage certificate.
2 Collect the required forms from your circuit court or courthouse office. You will probably take the petition to change your name.
3 Clearly Hand write all the forms and ensure all the details provided are correct. Providing all the necessary details becomes a necessity.
4 Others may need to be acknowledged in front of the notary. To ensure everything is properly filled, check the requirements of each form you submit.
5 The forms are to be mailed to the clerk of the circuit court or courthouse in the county of your residence. Filling the fees might occur.
6 For some county newspapers, you must have a public notice of your name change in a local newspaper. You’d better visit your court of jurisdiction for their specific details.
7 All of your forms will be submitted, and after that, the date of your court hearing will be scheduled to have your name changed and approved.
8 Participate in the court proceeding. The judge will decide on your petition, and if all documents are in order, they will allow name changes.
9 After the judge permits her to change the name, you should pick up the certified court order document.
10 Go to the nearest office of the Social Security Administration to complete the paperwork and put your new name officially on your Social Security card. You will need to take the court order with you, and you will need to bring your identification and the completed application form with you.
l1 Visit the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) in your nearest area to renew your driver’s license or any other state-issued ID. Please present the court order, current license/ID, and all the documents needed for the application.
l2 Put in with other needed bodies, including banks, employers, insurance companies, public utilities providers, and any other professional licensing boards you’re registered with.
l3 However, if you use a passport, you must also change your name. Take after the guidelines set up by the U.S. Department of State.
l4 Change your name on your deed, other legal documents such as your will power of attorney, and other contracts and agreements.
Pro tips: Let your family, friends, and other contacts know your new name to avoid any collision with them. All the papers related to your name change in Alabama should be saved in your record, and you should keep copies. Similarly, revise your name with the stores and subscriptions you should have listed above, for instance, utility companies, insurance providers, professional organizations, and other entities you have accounts with.
