How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Louisiana

Changing My Name After Marriage in Louisiana

A name change after marriage, such as taking a new partner's last name or combining names, is a step some married people take. Couples do so for reasons which include tradition and personal preference. Individuals who choose to modify or change their names after marriage will need to update their names on government and other databases where their original name is still being used.

A person seeking to change their name in Louisiana will need to follow a series of predetermined steps as is required. Several documents will be needed for the name change process, including a certified copy of the marriage license from the Vital Records Registry of the Louisiana Department of Health. However, the Vital Records Registry maintains marriage license records for only Orleans Parish. Individuals who need certified Louisiana marriage records from other parishes must contact the clerk of the court.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Louisiana

The steps to changing a name after marriage in Louisiana include:

Obtain a marriage license or a name change court order
Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA)
Start the name change process for a passport
Secure a name change for a Louisiana driver's license
Update all other records and accounts, including those maintained by employers, credit card companies, voter registration offices, banks, and insurance companies.

Individuals may choose to do the name change themselves. This will involve going through all the steps one after the other until the process is completed. Alternatively, they may allow a family attorney to start and complete the name change process on their behalf.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Louisiana

Persons in Louisiana must contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to fully legalize their name change. An updated social security card is vital to the name change process because it is required to update other forms of identification, including a driver's license. The Social Security Administration does not bill for this service.

To update information with the SSA, individuals can start by downloading the application form called Form SS-5 and filling in their details. Other required documents include:

Certified copies of marriage certificate or court order.
Proof of citizenship, such as a passport, consular report of birth, certificate of citizenship, or certificate of naturalization.
Evidence of age, such as a certified copy of a birth certificate, passport, or final adoption decree.
Proof of identity document, such as a valid government-issued photo ID with the old name. Applicants without a valid government-issued card, who cannot get a replacement within 10 working days, can submit documents such as a U.S. military identity card, certificate of naturalization, or certified copy of a medical record.
Evidence of immigration status, such as Form I-551, I-94, or I-766.

The completed form and documents can be delivered to the nearest Social Security Office or sent by mail, with a self-addressed stamped envelope. The location of Social Security offices can be found using the SSA's field office locator.

A new card will be sent to the applicant within 7 to 14 days of submitting an application in person or by mail.

How to Get a New Driver's License in Louisiana

A new driver's license with an updated name is essential after a legal name change. To get a new driver's license in Louisiana, applicants must have obtained an updated social security card from the Social Security Administration. A request for a new license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must be made in person. Mail or online options are not available. Persons updating their driver's license information will need to request a duplicate license with the new name. The process is outlined below:

Visit a DMV office immediately after getting an updated social security card.
Provide the marriage license or a certified copy to show the name change.
Prove identity using a passport, government-issued ID card, temporary or permanent resident ID card, naturalization or certificate of citizenship, or US uniformed services ID card.
Show proof of residency using a utility bill, financial statement, or employer verification.
Present the proof of insurance of any vehicle owned.
Present the original driver's license with the previous name.
Pay a replacement fee for the new license.

A four-year license costs $13, while a six-year license is $17. Using a debit or credit card may attract an additional fee of $4 to $6.

Applicants should note that the marriage name change will not affect the date of expiry on the license. The addresses of local DMV offices in Louisiana are available on the office of the Motor Vehicles' website.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Insurance lists about thirteen different types of insurance available to residents. This includes auto, food, health, homeowners, life and annuities, long-term care, title, disability, workers' compensation, travel, pet, guaranteed automobile protection, and small business insurance.

To change a name, individuals should contact their insurance providers to update their personal information so that the name change will not lead to the non-fulfillment of insurance policies later on. Each insurance provider will have a unique method to effect this update. Individuals who may have signed up for group coverage through an employer will have to contact the employer to change the name on the policy. Persons who applied for an insurance policy directly will need to complete a change of status or a change of record form.

Where Do I Go to Change My Last Name in Louisiana?

Individuals who want to change their last name in Louisiana must file a petition with the District Court where they reside or were born using a Louisiana Petition for Name Change form. The process includes:

Download the form online or get it from the clerk of court and fill in the details.
File the petition for a name change with the clerk of court for the District Court. This involves submitting a copy of the 3 copies required.
Pay the associated filing fees. This varies per parish.
Submit the second copy to the District Attorney (DA). Proof of identification, such as a government-issued ID card, will also be required.
Keep the final copy in personal records and await the decision of the judge.
Return to the clerk of court to stamp the judgment page of the form and complete the process.

The addresses of Louisiana's court clerks are available on the Louisiana Clerks of Court website.

Persons incarcerated in a penal institution can also file a petition for a name change to the District Court of their sentencing parish, with a reason for the name change. If the name change is for a minor, it must be signed by an adult who is the father and mother of the minor, or by the surviving parent if one of them is dead.

Fees vary by the parish but generally cost $400 to $500. Persons applying for name change who may not be able to afford it can file an affidavit citing an inability to pay. The court will proceed without the fees if the applicant can prove this incapacity.

How to Update Information with Louisiana Mortgage and Utility Companies?

Persons with active mortgages who changed their names must update their details with the mortgage companies they secured a loan from. This is important so that payments being made or deducted will not be mixed up due to the name change. The steps to updating information on a mortgage include:

Get a certified copy of your marriage license.
Have your updated social security card.
Check with the mortgage company to know what additional documents or steps they require.
Visit the mortgage company to submit the documents in person.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission's utility division oversees matters concerning utilities in the state, including sewage, electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications. Generally, the steps for updating a name with a utility company include:

Identify the utility company.
Contact the utility company. Many companies now provide online services where users can update their name change using an online form.
Provide the required information such as a new name, certified copies of a marriage license, and Social Security number.
Complete the process by paying associated administrative fees.

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

A person who wants to change a name after marriage will require the following documents:

Louisiana marriage license application form
Certified marriage license or court order
Updated social security card
State-issued ID cards or passports
Certified copies of their birth certificate

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in Louisiana?

Individuals who want to get certified copies of their marriage licenses can contact the county clerk's office where the license was issued. Options for pickup include in-person, online, by mail, fax, and telephone. The Louisiana Department of Health also maintains a State Registrar and Vital Records Office where interested parties who purchased licenses in Orleans Parish can obtain certified copies.

Every request for a marriage certificate from the office must include an accepted means of identification, accurate fees, and a completed application form. Persons who want to pick up copies in person can do so between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, except for state holidays. Mails can be sent with a completed request form, exact fees, and a copy of a photo ID to:

Vital Records Registry
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160

Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks before delivery.

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 Louisiana?

The United States Department of State is in charge of issuing new passports and renewing expired ones. Passports are the primary travel documents needed to travel out of the US by sea, air, or land. The process of getting a new passport involves the following steps:

Download the relevant application form and fill it.
Prepare a passport picture that meets the required criteria.
Have proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a certified copy of a birth certificate, expired passport, or naturalization certificate.
Provide an identity document, such as a valid government-issued ID card.
Provide a certified copy of a marriage license (For applicants updating their names after marriage).
Pay the application fees.

Applications for new passports typically take 10 to 12 weeks. Individuals who need them faster for emergencies or urgent international plans can use the agency's expedited service to have them available within 4 to 6 weeks.

In-person applications can be made at the New Orleans Passport Center by appointment only. Applicants can use the Online Passport Appointment System to make an appointment. The New Orleans Passport center is located at:

One Canal Place
365 Canal Street, Suite 1300
New Orleans, LA 70130-6508

The Clerk of Courts offices in Louisiana also act as passport acceptance

facilities, and applications can be submitted in these offices. Applicants should, however, note that renewal is not possible at acceptance facilities. Applications for passports can also be submitted by mail. The fees for first-time applications, renewals, and replacements are available on the State Department's website.

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in Louisiana?

Changing a name on a bank account is essential for those who have undergone the legal name change process. This should be done without delay to avoid problems with future transactions. Generally, couples will need to obtain a certified copy of their marriage license and a corrected social security card or driver's license to update a financial account.

This update includes all financial records and instruments, such as a bank account, retirement account, checkbook, credit card, and debit card. Billing for services through bank accounts, such as utility bills, car insurance, tax information with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and mortgage payments, should also be updated. Furthermore, individuals who have updated their bank accounts should ensure to send the updated information to employers.

It is possible to make these changes by visiting a branch. However, some financial institutions may have unique requirements, so it will be best to contact them ahead of time.

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

Changing a name in Louisiana involves a series of steps, some of which are dependent on others. For example, an updated Social Security Card takes about 10 to 14 days and cannot be processed without having a certified copy of a marriage license, which can take 2 weeks or a month to be issued to a couple. An individual aware of this connection will proceed faster than one who starts the process without this knowledge. As such, although the process may take a long time to be completed, the timeline can be managed to fit the plans of well-informed persons.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, the time from filing a petition for a name change to issuing a name change order is dependent on a court's processes. Also, awaiting a judge's decision will be subject to how many cases the judge is handling at that time. Having copies of required documents upfront will help to fast-track the process. Also, using a family attorney for the process will enhance the chances of it being completed faster. Essentially, the court's name change process is faster than the name change process after marriage.