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How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Minnesota

Changing My Name After Marriage in Minnesota

Marriage is the most popular reason for changing names after marriage. After a marriage, partners seek to take up the names of their significant others. Some may simply join their name and their partners' names with a hyphen.

The Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) maintains records of marriages held in Minnesota. MOMS keeps Minnesota marriage records that occurred across 85 counties of the state. However, the agency does not preserve records of marriages held in Scott County and Washington County. Minnesota Statutes highlight the contents of a marriage certificate:

  • Couple's old names, new names, and dates of birth
  • Couple's county and state of residence
  • Date of civil marriage
  • Place of civil marriage
  • Signatures of witnesses (16 years or older)

A major challenge that comes with changing names after marriage is the long process of updating identity documents and accounts. Despite the stress, it is crucial to update the information where and when necessary to avoid problems.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Minnesota

The first step in changing one's name after marriage is obtaining a marriage certificate or court order. After receiving the legal proof of name change, the individual must inform the Social Security Administration. The Administration will update the name change on their database once the requester completes the application. The next step is to update one's international passport and other travel documents. In addition, the process of name change includes getting a new state-issued ID and notifying all other government agencies. Also, individuals must be sure to inform employees and utility companies of the name change.

The whole process of changing one's name after marriage may be hectic as there may be delays with different government agencies. However, a skilled lawyer can take up the stress and handle the procedure.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Minnesota

After changing a name after marriage in Minnesota, it is essential to update one's Social Security card. To achieve this, the individual must contact the Social Security Administration and follow the required steps:

  • Provide necessary documents: Persons who have not established their US citizenship with the Administration may need to submit their US passport or birth certificate. Also, individuals are required to provide their marriage certificates.
  • Application: Persons seeking to change their name on their Social Security card must download and complete the Application for a Social Security Card.
  • Submission: The form, along with the necessary documents, can be taken or mailed to any Social Security office that serves the requester's area. Individuals can find a local office or center with the Field Office Locator. Note that an application for a corrected card cannot be processed online.
  • Card Retrieval: The updated card will be sent via mail to the requester. The card will carry the same number as the previous one but will show the new name. Usually, the SSA takes between two to four weeks to process an application.

Applying for a new Social Security card is free.

How to Get a New Driver's License in Minnesota

According to the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, individuals who have legally changed their names will need to get a duplicate or renewal driver's license. The kind of license they will obtain depends on the status of the one they currently hold. Before applying for a new license at any DVS office, requesters may need to use the pre-application service. Although the applicant will still need to visit the DVS, pre-application will make the process faster. The applicant will need to take the confirmation page of the pre-application form, including all the required documents, to the license office. At the license office, requesters must present the following documents to change the name on a license:

  • Marriage certificate (evidence of legal name change).
  • Current driver's license that shows the old name.

More importantly, Minnesota law states that the application must be made within 30 days of legally changing a name.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety highlights the associated Driver's License Fees. Also, the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) has a Fast Track program that requesters can use to expedite their application process. The Fast Track feature costs $20, and the DVS will produce the license within three (3) business days.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Minnesota

After a name change, individuals must contact the providers of their insurance to update their information. Each insurance company has its procedure for updating information for customers. For instance, to update a name with MNsure, requesters must call the contact center at (651) 539-2099 or (855) 366-7873 (for callers outside the Twin Cities). The caller will need to provide the following information to MNsure:

  • Full name
  • Date of Birth
  • Phone number
  • Email
  • Updated social security number

The types of insurance listed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce include auto, home, health, life and annuities, and long-term care.

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

Minnesota law permits residents to change their legal names by marriage, divorce, or by filing a petition for name change in court. When filing a name change action, the requester must fill and submit some court forms and appear before a judge. Individuals can visit Self-Help Centers to find process guides.

Under Minnesota law, the criteria to apply for a name change include:

  • The applicant must have lived in the State of Minnesota for a minimum of six months.
  • Requesters must be 18 years or older.
  • Parents, legal guardians, or next of kin may file on behalf of minors.

The first step is to obtain certain forms from the Court Administrator's office. These forms are Application for Name Change (NAM102), Criminal History Check Release (NAM103), Proposed Order Granting Name Change (NAM107). While filling the NAM107 form, applicants should only attend the part above the "IT IS ORDERED" section.

After completing the forms, applicants must submit them in person or by mail to the District Court in the county of residence. The forms should be submitted along with a non-refundable filing fee. This fee varies by court. Anyone who is unable to pay the court filing fee can get a Fee Waiver if certain conditions are met.

Upon a successful application, the Court Administrator's office will provide the hearing date and time. Applicants must be present in court for the hearing.

For applications for a name change of a minor, the minor in question must be present for the court hearing. Also, applicants must come to the court with two familiar people to serve as witnesses. The witnesses will testify to the requester's identity. After, the judge will sign an Order Granting Name Change. Then, individuals can request certified copies of the signed order from the Court Administrator's office. Each copy costs $14.

How to Update Information with Minnesota Mortgage and Utility Companies

The Minnesota Department of Commerce explains that there is a need to complete the Notification of Name Change Form after a legal name change. While submitting the completed form, individuals must attach their marriage certificate to show the legal name change. The application and documents must be sent via email to licensing.commerce@state.mn.us.

Updating information with Minnesota utility companies is essential to facilitate smooth payments and avoid problems. These utility companies are in charge of providing water, energy, sewer, transportation, and other services. Usually, most utility companies can help update one's name over the phone or through email. The companies will demand a copy of the marriage certificate to complete the update. Also, some other companies give customers access to update their information online, using the "manage my account" option.

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

Documents needed for name change after marriage are:

  • Old passport
  • Marriage certificate
  • Old identity documents
  • Updated social security card

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in Minnesota

Copies of marriage licenses can be obtained from the office of the clerk in the county where the marriage occurred. Individuals can request by completing an application form and submitting it to the clerk's office.

The procedure for requesting certified copies of marriage licenses differs by county. For example, Rice County, Anoka County, Hennepin County have different policies for requesting copies of marriage records. Notably, most of the counties in Minnesota charge $9 for each copy.

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 Minnesota

The US Department of State has highlighted guidelines on applying for a new passport after marriage in Minnesota. The Department also outlines the procedure for a name change on passports.

A person whose passport was issued less than a year ago must:

  • Complete Form DS-5504.
  • Provide an original marriage certificate.
  • Provide one color passport photograph.
  • Present current US passport
  • Send application and other documents through USPS to:

National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90107
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0107

Here, requesters are not charged a fee, except requesting expedited service. Expedited mails, which attract an extra charge of $60, must be forwarded to:

National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90907
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0907

A person whose passport was issued more than a year ago must:

  • Complete Form DS-82
  • Present current US passport
  • Provide original marriage certificate
  • A color passport photo
  • Pay an application fee of $110
  • Send application and all supporting documents through USPS.

The Department of State specifies the acceptable passport photograph. The photo must be

  • Colored
  • Taken in the last six months
  • Clear. No filters allowed
  • No wearing of glasses of any kind
  • Taken with a plain white/off-white background.
  • Be taken by someone. No selfies allowed.

While the Department processes the new passport, individuals can use their Passport Cards, Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), or Trusted Traveler Program Card (NEXUS, Global Entry, SENTRI, or FAST) to travel.

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in Minnesota

The requirements and processes to change names on bank accounts vary by each financial institution. Hence, it is advisable to contact one's bank through email or phone number to ask for details.

Generally, banks request a copy of the certified marriage certificate and updated social security card. Also, there is a need to submit a written request for a name change. During the request process, individuals must remember to request updated credit cards, debit cards, and checkbooks.

When the bank updates the account with the new name, it is important to inform employees of the change and send the latest information to them.

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

The process of changing one's name after marriage in Minnesota can take as much as six (6) months. The waiting period depends on how quickly an individual gathers the required documents and submits them to the appropriate agencies. Also, these agencies have different waiting periods to complete applications.

In Minnesota, a couple must ensure that the officiant files their marriage license with the county registrar within five (5) days of marriage. In return, the registrar must prepare the certified copy of the certificate and mail it to the couple within ten (10) days of receiving the marriage license.

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

A person can begin to bear a new name as soon as they have legal proof, such as a certified marriage license or court decree. To implement the change across all government agencies, such individuals must first effect a name change with the Social Security Administration.