How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Nevada

Changing My Name After Marriage in Nevada

In a Nevada marriage, a party may choose to change a name(s) to either the current last name of a spouse, the applicant’s first name given at birth, or a hyphenated combination of names. Such changes must reflect in the marriage certificate, serving as legal proof of the adjustments. The ensuing legal involvement has a ripple effect on the identity of the involved parties per government and concerned private agencies. Some of the rights and privileges associated with marriage in Nevada go into effect upon the presentation of legal proof. It is the responsibility of the newly wedded to inform government agencies about the change of names. One way to do this is to provide a formal notification accompanied by legal proof, which in this case, is the marriage certificate. Certified copies of a Nevada marriage records are accessible at the Office of the County Recorder, where the wedding was held. While online orders are acceptable in many counties, access to certified copies is restricted to the persons listed in the record or authorized parties.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Nevada

All persons that undergo a legal name-change process must notify necessary government agencies and companies., most especially the following:

Other agencies requiring notification are employers, schools, mortgage companies, landlords, etc. Updating personal information is easier than with government agencies. In many cases, completing paperwork with the Social Security Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles makes the notification of private agencies almost automatic.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Nevada?

Any changes to one’s name must be reported to the Social Security Administration for necessary updates. This will help prevent your wages from being posted incorrectly or delays in tax filings. This process is free and may take as much as two to four weeks. It requires the applicant to complete the Application for a Social Security card. Upon completion, mail the application form and any relevant identification document that supports the application. Acceptable documents include the following:

Proof of citizenship or a US passport
Certified copy of a birth certificate: If a birth certificate is not available, a religious record before the age of five or a US hospital record of birth will serve.
Proof of name change: the Social Security Administration may accept marriage documents, divorce decree, a Certificate of Naturalization displaying the new name, or a Court order that approved the change of name. Note that all documents are acceptable only in their original or certified form. Also, all documents must be valid in order to be acceptable. If they are not available, additional documents such as employee or school identification cards, a health insurance card (not a Medicare card), or a US military ID card may be accepted.

How to Get a New Driver’s License in Nevada?

Anyone who wishes to get a new driver's license in Nevada after a change of name must have secured a new Social Security card that reflects the new name. The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles electronically verifies the name, date of birth, and Social Security number with the agency. Although the Social Security number is important, it is not sufficient. Here are additional required documents:

Current driver's license or identification (he could be issued by the state or other outside States)
Legal proof that authorizes the name change. It could be a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, court-ordered change, demise of a spouse, or adoption.
Completed application for driving privileges or identification card (DMV 002)

To get a new license or ID card, applying parties must visit the nearest DMV office as mail and online requests do not get processed. If there is an existing driver’s license in the old name, the attending officer punches a hole in it and returns it to the applicant with an interim document. The new license or ID gets mailed as soon as it is ready.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Nevada?

Insurance in simple terms refers to an arrangement with an agency to provide a compensational guarantee for a specified loss or damage in exchange for a predetermined premium. In Nevada, insurance may provide coverage for an individual's automobile, home, health, life, workers’ compensation, or even property title. If there are changes in name or address, it is important that insurance companies get notifications and make the necessary updates. Whether private or state-owned, notifying insurance companies of information updates involves contacting them.

Insurance companies for automobiles automatically get updates from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Therefore, all information updates made at the DMV of the state get updated with the concerned insurance company. Homeowners or life insurance companies provide in-person or online platforms for inquiries and requests. Use these platforms to initiate a process of information update. In addition to proof of a change in name or address, an updated Social Security card shortens the entire process of information update as most government information databases are interconnected. Most private companies can help initiate an update process by contacting them on phone, text message, email, or a postal mail request.

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

Changing one’s last name in Nevada outside the auspices of marriage will require that the interested party file a petition with the District Court of the county where they are domiciled. In the petition, state the old name, the intended new name, and the reason for the name change. Filing parties are only eligible to do so if they have been residents of the state for at least six weeks prior to filing. Also, filing parties must state if they have past felony convictions. In the event of one, failure to disclose will lead to a setting aside of the petition. Indications of felony convictions will require an accompanying fingerprint submission.

Change of name court order also requires that the petitioner intends to remain in the state in the future. Unless there are additional charges involved, the cost of a court-ordered name change in Nevada is $270. The court responds to a filed petition by scheduling a hearing. When the judge grants the order by signing, the petitioner must request certified copies of the order. Ordering certified copies will require service charges usually equivalent to the cost of copying and certification.

How to Update Information with Nevada Mortgage and Utility Companies?

Ongoing agreements and contracts with mortgage companies can only be followed up effectively using the proper identification of involved parties. The Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Division of Mortgage Lending has extensive coverage of mortgage matters across the state. Parties who changed their names legally must inform the mortgage companies to which they are indebted of the name changes. Regardless of the administrative pathway of the agencies involved, the general principles of notifying an agency remain the same:

Put the notification into writing. In some cases, the mortgage company provides an official request form for this purpose. In clear terms, state the fact that names have been changed. Indicate the date from which the change of name went into effect. Usually, this date coincides with the date of the Social Security card update.
The mortgage company will require to see proof of the change of name. Because of this, one must attach the proof of legal name change to the application. Depending on the type of name change, proof ranges from the marriage certificate to a court-ordered name change decree. A copy of the newspaper publication of the change of name will also be useful in applying for an update.
Gather these documents together and submit them to the nearest liaison office of the mortgage company of interest. If unsure about the administrative process, contact the company through email, postal mail, or phone. Most corporate agencies usually have laid down guidelines for processes like this.

Utility companies refer to those that handle electricity, telephone, water, and other billed infrastructural amenities. The Nevada Energy (NV Energy) Department, for example, provides electricity to the entire state. The conventional way of information update is to submit a letter of notification along with proof of a change of name and the new Social Security number to the nearest energy office. Note that updating the information online may not suffice until a mail-in update is completed. Thereafter, name changes may be updated on the profile and preferences tab electronically by the user. Phone service companies may provide online data update procedures for users. Confirm this by contacting the agency directly on how to go about it. Unless otherwise indicated, name changes or updates do not come with any service fee.

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

Anyone wishing to effect a name change after marriage must have the following ready for the process:

All existing documents in the former name
A certified copy of the marriage certificate
An updated or new copy of a Social Security card
Driver's license or any state-issued identity card.

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

A certified copy of a marriage license in Nevada refers to a copy of the document that bears the seal of authentication of the government. Marriage records in Nevada are held at the level of county authorities. Parties must write to the county recorder where the license was obtained. The Office of Vital Records of the state only provides index searches but does not issue documents. The general process for requesting certified copies of marriage records at the county level is outlined below:

Obtain the request form at the Office of the County Recorder
Complete the form, filling out details of requestor name, date of request, mailing address, amount enclosed, and the names of both parties (first and last names). Other details are the date of marriage (if known), license application number (if known), and the method of delivery. Email copies get delivered within a maximum of 48 hours, while paper copies get delivered within ten business days.
Indicate in the form the number of certified copies required. Each copy costs $15. Payments can be made through checks, money orders, or payments by phone using credit card transactions.

After completing the form, mail it to the County Recorder's Office. Some counties, such as Washoe County, float email and fax copy delivery options.

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 Nevada?

Persons who change their names in Nevada must apply for new passports, especially if they wish to travel outside the country. The US Department of State has charge of issuing passports to Nevada residents and handling renewals. The processing instructions are generic across the states of the federation, although local rules may apply in terms of administrative pathways. Ensure the checklist below is in order:

Complete the application form by downloading and filling it out.
If there was a previous passport, attach it to the application along with a certified copy of a marriage certificate or court-ordered change of name decree.
Prepare one colored passport photo, making sure it aligns with standard requirements.
Send the application form along with supporting documents and a self-addressed stamped return envelope to the passport office at:

401 California Avenue
Boulder City, NV 89005

Call (702) 293-9208 or send a facsimile to (702) 293-9245

Be sure to use registered mail options such as the United States Postal Service or other expedited delivery options.

Applicants should expect feedback between 10 and 12 weeks from the time the office receives the request. Requesters can negotiate for expedited services provided they meet the eligibility requirements. In the meantime, other identification documents can serve as travel documents for domestic trips. It could be a Social Security card, Identification card as issued by the state, etc. Travel documents besides a passport will require additional authentication, such as presenting a copy of a certified birth certificate or a proof of citizenship at the portal of reentry.

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in Nevada?

With an updated Social Security card, driver's license, and proof of change of name, concerned individuals can initiate updates with their banking service provider. When the process is complete, the notification received by the banking agency should reflect on all financial details of the individual: banking information, credit and debit cards, checkbooks, investment, etc.

To begin, gather all required documents. Contact the financial agency to get information about what will be needed. Banks usually have forms to be filled out by the requester. The design of the request incorporates changes in the credit/debit cards. It is possible for spouses to update their accounts from sole to joint accounts. Interact with your service provider on this.

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

The time it takes to change one's name in Nevada after marriage is relative. However, the most important step is to initiate the process. Other external factors may not be within the control of the applicant, but the system is sure to update him or her on the progress of the application.

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

A rate-limiting step to effecting a name change in government databases is the time it takes for the applicant to submit the request for a change. However, once the process is initiated, the updates in the coming days and weeks become inevitable. If the process of updating changes becomes too much to bear, parties can engage the services of a lawyer or licensed service providers to go through the process on their behalf. It could mean spending much more money than if a party had opted for self-processing.