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How to Change Your Name After Marriage in West Virginia

Changing My Name After Marriage in West Virginia

Married persons in West Virginia may decide to change their last names to their spouses’ for uniformity or cultural reasons. Although it is not mandatory to change surname after marriage, either party can choose to hyphenate their last names with their partner’s or leave the previous name unchanged. Couples may prefer the latter to avoid the stress of legal name change procedures. However, the cons of this decision are in the policies of numerous companies, organizations, or even unique scenarios that require legitimate proof of marriage. For example, a partner may be asked to present a marriage certificate in a hospital for an indisposed spouse.

Nevertheless, parties who choose to change names must follow the legal processes and then obtain new government-issued documents such as driver's licenses, passports, and social security cards. For newlyweds to change their names, they must first obtain their marriage certificates at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. A marriage certificate is the legal proof of the union between two individuals. Since West Virginia is not an open-record state, only the couples or their children can request marriage certificates.

To request a West Virginia marriage record, the requesting party may be required to provide information to facilitate the record search. The required information may include the full names of the parties involved, and the date or courthouse where the marriage was issued.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in West Virginia

After marriage, wedded pairs who want to alter their names in West Virginia officially must;

  • Get their marriage certificates.

As evidence of marriage, the marriage certificate is essential for changing one’s name with most agencies. Since the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resource issues marriage certificates upon requests only, a requestor must download and complete the Application for Certified Marriage Certificate and send it via mail. Interested persons may also walk into the Vital Registration office or make requests over the phone, online, or fax. All the same, an applicant will have to pay $12 for each copy of a certified marriage certificate. Mail and in-person requests must be submitted to:

Vital Registration
Room 165
350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301-3701

  • Apply for a name change with government agencies

After obtaining a marriage certificate, the next step is to notify federal and state offices that keep records of residents’ identities. An example of such an organization is the Social Security Administration. Hence, couples must obtain new social security cards with new names. With the new social security cards, wedded parties can get new passports at the US Department of State and driver’s licenses.

While self-representation is possible, newlyweds can choose to employ family lawyers to help with the applications. Also, the attorneys can file petitions on behalf of the applicants.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in West Virginia?

To make changes to a social security card, a married person must apply to the Social Security Administration. Applicants must complete the Application for a Social Security Card. The application requires original and current copies of proof of US citizenship or immigration status, marriage certificate, birth certificate, and identity card. Applicants must note that the Social Security Administration does not accept photocopies. Send the completed form and other documents via mail to the local social security office. Interested persons can use the Social Security Office Locator to find the offices closest to them. Upon application, applicants can expect new social security cards from the Social Security Administration between two to four weeks.

How to Get a New Driver’s License in West Virginia?

The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains driver’s license records and is responsible for issuing new driver’s licenses. An interested party must visit the DMV office in person in the appropriate location to obtain a new driver's license. In addition, the applicant must submit documents that serve as proof of their social security number and proof of name change (for example, a certified marriage certificate or court order). A West Virginia driver’s license is valid for only five years.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in West Virginia?

Married partners can update their insurance details with their insurers. These insurance companies provide different insurance types in West Virginia, including property insurance, life insurance, short and long-term disability, workers’ compensation insurance, health insurance, and auto insurance. Concerned parties may do so by contacting the insurance policyholders via email, phone, or in person. Usually, the insurance company may request certain documents to confirm a name change. These include marriage certificates or court orders. However, since there are different insurers in West Virginia, the time it takes to effect name changes may differ for each.

Where Do I Go to Change My Last Name in West Virginia?

Persons living in West Virginia can petition the family courts or circuit courts in the counties they live in to change their names. However, the state requires that anyone who wants to change their names must be a resident of that county for at least a year before the application. Following § 48-25-101 of West Virginia Code, the court will affirm the reason for the name change to ensure that;

  • The applicant is not trying to change the name to avoid debts or for other illegal reasons.
  • The petitioner is not a sex offender.
  • The applicant is not awaiting trial or a convicted felon
  • The name change is not to avoid arrest or identification

If these are confirmed, the petitioner can proceed to;

  • Download and fill the Civil Case Information Statement

The civil case sheet helps to hasten the name change process. After filing, file the Civil Case Information Statement with the court clerk. The clerk's office charges a filing fee, which varies from one county to another. The office also informs the petitioner of the possible date and time for a hearing.

  • Publish the notice of name change

Upon filing, petitioners must inform the general public of the intention to change their names. The notice must be present in a weekly newspaper in the county at least ten days before the hearing date, according to West Virginia Code § 59-3-3.

  • Appear for hearing

A name change applicant must be present at the hearing to answer questions the judge may ask concerning the petition. At the hearing, parties who object to the change of name can air their grievances. If no one contests the application, the judge will then sign an order which will serve as evidence for a legal name change.

How to Update Information with West Virginia Mortgage and Utility Companies?

Interested parties that want to update mortgage information can visit the mortgage companies to make inquiries. Mortgage companies always proof of name change. Hence, applicants must have their marriage certificates or the Order of Name Change first before making the changes.

For utility companies, concerned parties can call the customer care units to explain their intentions to change their names. Some other companies may provide online services where users can change their details easily. Often, utility companies require marriage certificates to approve the name change processes.

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

To change one’s name legally after marriage, one must have the following documents:

  • Social Security card
  • Driver’s license
  • Certified marriage certificate

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in West Virginia?

Residents of West Virginia are eligible to request certified copies of marriage licenses in any county, per West Virginia Code §48-2-102. However, if a requestor is less than 18 years, the court will require approval from the person's legal guardians, according to West Virginia Code §48-2-103. Below are the guidelines for applying for a marriage license in West Virginia:

  • Physical appointments in the County Clerk’s office by both parties
  • Submission of a completed marriage license application
  • Partners must submit a valid identification such as driver’s license
  • If one or both parties named in the license are residents of a foreign nation, the party(s) must present a green card, work visa, passport, or tourist visa number. The applicants must also show documents as proofs of residence in any county of West Virginia, such as utility bills
  • Parties must present Social Security Numbers. In West Virginia, marriage licenses are effective immediately after issuance and valid for 60 days. If both or one of the partners have been previously married, the individual must provide concrete reasons for the marriage dissolution, either death or divorce.

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 West Virginia?

At the end of a successful name change, a resident of West Virginia can go ahead to obtain a new passport from the US Department of State. First-time applicants must complete Form DS-11 and apply in person. The supporting documents required to obtain a new passport as a first-timer include;

  • Proof of citizenship
  • Valid identity (driver’s license)
  • One colored passport photo
  • Social security card and a valid state-issued ID

However, the process varies for parties who want to change the name on their valid passports. Individuals whose current passports were issued less than one year must;

  • Complete Form DS-5504
  • Attach the current passport
  • Attach marriage certificate or name change order
  • Attach one court passport following the guidelines

Requestors with passports that were issued more than a year ago must;

  • Download and fill Form DS-82
  • Provide the recent passport
  • Submit evidence of name change
  • Provide a color passport photo
  • Pay the renewal fee

Interested parties may request new passports via mail. These persons should send their mail queries through USPS only. Nevertheless, applicants that can not use this mailing service can apply in person. While it takes about 10 to 12 weeks to process a new passport, requesters can pay for expedited services to get the passports in four to six weeks. Applicants can track the status of their application online or by phone. However, requestors must provide their last names, dates of birth, and the last four digits of their social security numbers.

To check online, applicants can use the Online Passport Status System and enter accurate information. On this system, users can also receive automatic updates. For phone requests, requesters can call the National Passport Information Center at 1-(877) 487-2778 or 1-(888) 874-7793 to talk to their representatives. The lines are open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays. Applicants must note that it is only possible to check for status updates after four weeks of application.

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in West Virginia?

After marriage, couples must inform their banks of the name changes by visiting the local branches. Typically, the documents required to complete the process include marriage certificate/name change order, social security card, and driver’s license. Upon application, requestors should also ask for new credit cards, debit cards, and checkbooks to reflect their new names. Banks which locations are not close by can honor mail requests. Nevertheless, it is advisable to call the banks first.

Once the bank completes the name change process, applicants must inform their employers of the update. In the same vein, parties who use credit and debit cards to pay for stuff automatically must contact the service providers to inform them about the change of name.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in West Virginia After Marriage?

In West Virginia, name changing takes months to complete but the time varies based on the applicant and other external factors. While a court-granted petition or a marriage certificate is enough for a change of name process, it takes around six weeks to obtain them. However, applicants must contact the Social Security Administration, the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and other relevant institutions to make the name change truly official.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in West Virginia?

Based on the change in marital status and a desire to change names to match spouses, the government mandates all interested persons to update every important identification document. It takes at least six months or more to complete a name change process. However, the county or courthouse policies may play a vital role in the time it takes.