How to Change Your Name After Marriage in North Carolina

Changing My Name After Marriage in North Carolina

Newly wedded couples may desire to have a name change as part of their plans going forward. For these couples, changing their surname, hyphenating their spouses' names with theirs, or creating a new name may be important to them as a way to view their new status. This name change may also be for cultural reasons or practical reasons, such as uniformity of the names of family members in legal documents like birth certificates.

A name change after marriage for North Carolina residents will require administrative and legal processes, which essentially involve updating multiple government documents. The fundamental document for a name change after marriage is a certified copy of the marriage certificate because it reflects the name change done as a result of the marriage. The primary repository for marriage records in North Carolina is the North Carolina Vital Records, a unit of the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health.

Interested and eligible members of the public may also obtain North Carolina marriage records from the local courthouse where the marriage license for the couple was issued. However, requestors may be required to provide specific information to facilitate the record search - this includes, the full name of both persons and the place and date where the license was issued.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in North Carolina

The following steps are required to make a legal name change in North Carolina. They include:

Apply for a marriage license before the marriage day or petition the court for a name change decree.
Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) to get an updated Social Security card with a new name.
Update passport with the new name.
Visit the local North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) to update a driver's license.
Share the new name with financial institutions, employers, social media, government agencies, and travel agencies.

The name change process requires multiple steps and takes quite some time before completion. Therefore, securing the services of a family attorney to handle the process is an option for individuals who are willing to make the financial commitment that using an attorney will entail. Others may seek to go through the process themselves to avoid the attorney fees or for other personal reasons. Those who choose to go through this process will have to dedicate time to the process.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in North Carolina?

After marriage in North Carolina, persons who changed their names must notify the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is an important step in the name change process because the Social Security number is required for most professional, personal, and legal matters. For instance, getting insurance or a job. Updating the Social Security Card is a free service offered by the SSA. The process is document-driven, requiring the submission of several documents. Individuals updating the Social Security Card should note that the SSA does not accept photocopies of documents or notarized copies, or receipts showing that applicants have applied elsewhere for a required document.

Interested parties can start by downloading the SSA's Form SS-5 and following the instructions on the form to complete it. Applicants may need to provide the following documents and information:

A certified marriage certificate or court order.
A means of identification, such as current driver's license, state-issued photo ID card, or US passport.
Proof of United States citizenship, such as a US birth certificate.
Proof of age, e.g., a birth certificate or hospital record created at the time of birth.
Evidence of immigration status, such as Form I-551, I-94, or I-766.
An address where the card can be received 2 to 4 weeks after submission.

Once an individual has completed the form and provided all the required documents, the party can submit it at the nearest Social Security Office or send it by mail. Applicants can find the local SSA office nearest to them with the SSA's office locator. People with inquiries can call the national toll-free number at 1-(800) 772-1213 on business days from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

How to Get a New Driver's License in North Carolina?

After a legal name change, individuals who updated their Social Security cards must update their driver's license information immediately. They must notify the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) within 60 days of the change to obtain a duplicate card with their new names. The NCDMV will confirm the name change by checking the Social Security Online Verification System.

Name update on a North Carolina driver's license requires the following documents:

Certified marriage certificate.
Proof from the Register of Deeds or the court establishing that the name change was completed officially.
Form DL-101, which must be notarized. The form is available online or obtainable from the DMV office.

Applicants can submit these documents, along with the required fees, to a local NCDMV office or mail them to:

NC. Division of Motor Vehicles
Renewal, Title & Plate Unit
3148 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27697

Applicants can locate an NCDMV office with the DMV office location search tool. It costs $14 to get a duplicate license.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Department of Insurance, the regulator for insurance in the state, lists about 13 different types of insurance on its website for consumers and businesses. This includes:

Auto and vehicle insurance
Homeowners insurance
Life insurance
Health insurance
Annuities
Business insurance
Disability income insurance
Travel insurance
Fire and extended coverage
Business interruption
General liability
Bonds
Excess and umbrella
Flood and earthquake
Inland marine
Package policies

After marriage, individuals who changed their names are also encouraged to ensure that the name change shows on their existing insurance policies.

Each insurance provider will have its method of updating consumer information. For newlyweds, the documentation required will usually be a certified marriage certificate, Social Security card, and government-issued means of identification, such as a driver's license.

If it is a work-related group policy, individuals are encouraged to notify their employers of the name change so that their details can be updated.

Where Do I Go to Change My Last Name in North Carolina?

To obtain a name change in North Carolina through the court, interested individuals must apply to their county's superior court clerk's office. This should be done after publishing a 10-day notice of the application for a name change on the courthouse door. The application must include the following:

The applicant's true name, parents' full name as shown on the birth certificate, country of birth, date of birth, the name they desire to adopt, and reasons for the name change.
The results of a criminal history record check. (This must have been conducted within 90 days of the application date by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Bureau of Investigation, or a Channeler approved by the Federal Bureau of Investigation).
A sworn statement affirming that the applicant is a bona fide resident, is domiciled in the county where the name change is being submitted, and does not have outstanding child support or tax obligations.

The clerk will provide instructions to the applicant on the criminal record history check process and review the information in the application before ruling to grant or deny the name change. If the clerk is convinced of sufficient reasons for a name change, an order will be issued changing the true name to the name sought.

The clerk will further issue a certificate to the applicant that bears the seal of the office. This court order granting the name change can now be forwarded to the Registrar of Vital Statistics and the Department of Public Safety to update records.

How to Update Information with North Carolina Mortgage and Utility Companies?

Mortgages are loans used to purchase or maintain a property paid back over time through pre-agreed regular payments. The property is the collateral of the loan. In North Carolina, the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks (NCCOB) is responsible for the chartering and regulation of mortgage companies operating in North Carolina.

Utility companies in North Carolina provide public services, such as electricity, telephone services, natural gas, water, wastewater, buses, ferry boats, small power producers, electric membership corporations, natural gas pipelines, and electric merchant plants. Investor-owned public utility companies are regulated by the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Updating information with mortgage and utility companies will involve:

Obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate.
Call the company and request information about steps required to update a name.
Use the company's online service to change the name (if available) or visit a local office to request and submit the necessary documents.

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

Persons who desire to change their names after marriage in North Carolina require several documents. Some include:

A certified marriage certificate or court order
A certified birth certificate
Government-issued photo ID card, e.g., a driver's license
A social security card

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in North Carolina?

Persons who require certified copies of their marriage licenses in North Carolina can order these documents from a local Register of Deeds' office or the Vital Records Unit of the NCDHHS Division of Public Health. Individuals who can obtain these records include:

Immediate family members of the parties listed on the marriage license.
A party to the marriage, their spouse, siblings, children, parents or step-parents, grandchildren, or grandparents.
An authorized agent, legal representative, or attorney of a party listed above.
An individual seeking information on property and personal rights for legal determination of ownership.

The applicant must include a copy of a government-issued photo ID card with the request. Individuals who chose to obtain the certified marriage certificate through the Vital Records unit can download the application form from the Vital Records website. The completed form, copy of a valid ID or passport, and payment (money order or business check) can be sent by mail to:

North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900

The first copy of the certificate costs $24, and subsequent copies are billed at $15. Applicants who choose to order the certified marriage records from the County Register of Deeds can find the contact details, phone numbers, visitation hours, and website addresses on the North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds website.

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 North Carolina?

Persons intending to travel internationally after a marriage and a name change will need to update their passports to reflect their new identities. The US Department of State is responsible for issuing passports and updating the names on such travel documents. The steps to getting a new passport or updating the name on a current one after marriage are as follows:

Download and fill out the applicable form (Form DS-11 for standard application, Form DS-82 for renewal, and Form DS-5504 for applicants who changed names less than one year of the issuance of their current passport).
Submit proof of US citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
Provide a passport photo taken to the State Department's specifications.
Include proof of identity. (A valid government-issued driver's license or photo ID card).
Fees can be paid by credit card, check/money order payable to "US Department of State, cash, or prepaid credit card.
Submit application via United States Postal Service (USPS) or at acceptance facilities, such as post offices and clerk of court offices.

Standard passport applications take 10 to 12 weeks and cost $110. Expedited applications take 4 to 6 weeks.

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in North Carolina?

Changing the name on a bank account in North Carolina will require calling the bank first or visiting a branch office to find out the documents that will be required. The name change process is typically handled by the customer care departments of banks.

Generally, the bank will request documents, such as a certified marriage certificate, Social Security card, and updated driver's license. The bank will also outline other specific processes required to correct the name. One of which is that the customer will need to fill a form online or at the bank. Individuals will also need to replace their credit cards, debit cards, and checkbooks and send their new banking information to their employers.

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

The process of a name change can take quite some time because of the multiple steps and different government agencies involved. To simplify this process, some people may choose to hire a family attorney. Although using an attorney can reduce the time to completion, it introduces high costs. On the other hand, if going about it alone, individuals should be prepared to spend a significant amount of time on the process.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in North Carolina?

The process of changing one's name requires patience on the part of interested individuals. The marriage license or court petition legalizes the name change but does not automatically make it official. The individual will have to notify certain government and private institutions, including the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles, insurance agencies, etc., to complete the process.

The interdependence of some of the steps also further extends the time to finalize a name change, as an individual cannot progress until these steps are completed.