People may choose to change their name for different reasons. These including - not liking their current name or to start afresh after a major change in life like a divorce, marriage or gender realignment, among others. Legal name change may be done to change the first, middle or even the last name. Changing a name is a process not a one stop event. For more information visit www.hitchswitch.com

1. 5Legal Name Change
Facts You Need To Know
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2. People may choose to change their name for different reasons.
These including - not liking their current name or to start afresh
after a major change in life like a divorce, marriage or gender
realignment, among others. Legal name change may be done
to change the first, middle or even the last name. Changing a
name is a process not a one stop event.
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3. You Can Pick Any Name, With Very Few
Exceptions
If your birth name sounds awful, you can pick any other name
that you find interesting. There are exceptions to legal name
change that include picking the name of a celebrity. This may
lead to confusion and may be considered impersonation. You
cannot use trademark names for similar reasons. After all, you
will find trouble operating under certain names in public.
Numerals like 7 or 2 and punctuation marks like ? or ! are also
not accepted for use as personal names. However, you may use
their full names like ‘Comma’ or ‘Slash’ etc.
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4. It is Easy During Divorce or Marriage
Most States make it easy to change names after a life changing
event like a marriage or divorce. You are allowed to affix the
name of your spouse, hyphenate your two names or even
amalgamate the names and thus create a new one. In this case,
you will not require a court order to effect the change. The
name just needs to appear on your marriage license. Produce
the certificate at the DMV, Bank, Social Security Administration,
etc and your last name is changed. During a divorce, the judge
can take care of that in the decree.
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5. You Must Pay
Most states require you to pay between $150 and $200 when
filling a Petition for a Name Change. Notarizing the forms will
also cost you a few dollars. Certifying your marriage certificate
also costs money. If you are taking the help of an agent, you
have to pay their fees as well. When you take up the process, it
will cost you time and other resources.
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6. Notify All Relevant Persons and Institutions
The Social Security Administration should be the first person
you inform about a change to your name. Other departments
that you need to inform include the DMV, who will give you a
new license. The IRS should also be notified. Tell your bank,
insurance provider, utility companies, and all other institutions
that provide you with services about the change to your name.
Failure to notify them could lead to hitches the next time you
seek their services.
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7. No Jumping the Gun
Do not rush to notify people and institutions until your papers
are out. There could be a hitch that requires correction. Be
systematic to allow seamless changes, especially where
identification documents are required. Transgender people
need to tread carefully because the change they seek could
affect the extent of coverage they receive from insurance. For
instance, if you are a legal male, you will not get cover for
hysterectomy.
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8. Contact Us
For a better understanding on how to legally change your
name after marriage or divorce, please send us an email or
call our name change concierge customer service team!
844-639-6263
customerservice@hitchswitch.com
For more information visit www.hitchswitch.com
www.hitchswitch.com