Changing your name in VA (insurance, credit card, DMV)

[becwells]

I have a weird question that I'm hoping some more experienced folks can help with...

My DH and I have been married for 2.5 years. I didn't take his last name immediately because I'm here on a green card and I didn't want to pay the $500 to get a new one . We've been waiting until now to do it, because I have to get a new card this month and we wanted to kill two birds with one stone. Anywho, my question is this - in VA, is your marriage certificate proof enough of a name change (common usage law)? Do you have to put your new name on the certificate for it to be valid? Also, is there any time frame as to when you have to be using your new name - do you have to begin using your married name immediately for it to be considered your new name? Like I said, it's been over 2 years since we got hitched, and I've been using my maiden name this whole time.

USCIS needs legal documentation that my name has changed. I can't change it with Social Security because my green card is about to expire and SS won't do anything unless they know I'm allowed to stay here longer. I believe USCIS will accept my marriage certificate as proof, but I wanted to make sure VA doesn't require anything other than common usage to change your name.

[Skapov]

When do you plan to apply for US Naturalization? At that point, you get the opportunity to change and/or modify your surname, so you may as well wait.

[becwells]

Originally Posted by Skapov

When do you plan to apply for US Naturalization? At that point, you get the opportunity to change and/or modify your surname, so you may as well wait.

I don't get that chance for another year. And who knows how long it will take to become naturalized once the process starts.

This whole thing is such a headache.

[stuntmonkey123]

I don't know about the time frame, but when I changed my name after getting married, I needed my marriage license, soc security card with my old name, and my drivers license.

[Riki_AKA_Rishawndra]

i want to change my name to Rashawndra but my real name is...if i tell yall dont say lol or lamo but my name is Riki (Ricky) and people pick on me... BUT I DONT HAVE $1700 TO PAY JUST TO CHANGE MY NAME

[Jlyles]

I would think (at first), that's the only thing that you would have. I have been on a verryyyy slow journey to change mine. But, because my license requires that I process my name change within 30 days of the "event", I did that first, then my passport, and am lazily making my way through the others. The only document the first two needed was a copy of my marriage certificate (because I was already officially certified with them). I can't imagine having to provide my social security card, but changing with them will be next I guess ...

Originally Posted by becwells

I have a weird question that I'm hoping some more experienced folks can help with...

My DH and I have been married for 2.5 years. I didn't take his last name immediately because I'm here on a green card and I didn't want to pay the $500 to get a new one . We've been waiting until now to do it, because I have to get a new card this month and we wanted to kill two birds with one stone. Anywho, my question is this - in VA, is your marriage certificate proof enough of a name change (common usage law)? Do you have to put your new name on the certificate for it to be valid? Also, is there any time frame as to when you have to be using your new name - do you have to begin using your married name immediately for it to be considered your new name? Like I said, it's been over 2 years since we got hitched, and I've been using my maiden name this whole time.

USCIS needs legal documentation that my name has changed. I can't change it with Social Security because my green card is about to expire and SS won't do anything unless they know I'm allowed to stay here longer. I believe USCIS will accept my marriage certificate as proof, but I wanted to make sure VA doesn't require anything other than common usage to change your name.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Riki_AKA_Rishawndra

i want to change my name to Rashawndra but my real name is...if i tell yall dont say lol or lamo but my name is Riki (Ricky) and people pick on me... BUT I DONT HAVE $1700 TO PAY JUST TO CHANGE MY NAME

You're concerned about people picking on you about your name, but then you change your status to say what?



Does it really cost $1700 to change your name in VA?

[Princes]

I'm trying to change my son name then I wanna change my name

[LuvVA]

I remember it depends on county to county. You need to check with your local county's district court on name change fees.

It may take any where from 2 weeks and above.

If there is pressing reason for which you need to get this done now, then I would suggest you to wait until next year when you apply for citizenship. The reasons are, you need to contact SSA, DMV, Credit card companies, Banks, Insurance etc to change your name in their records. It's a pain, not an easy task. And you don't want to go through this a second time.

During your citizenship process, you have an option to change name. You need to fill your details in N-400 naturalization forms. This additional task may take an extra month.

[Badger21]

Every thread should start with the original post date in 72 point font.