How To Change Name After Marriage Texas

Use this guide to navigate the name change process in Texas.

Changing your name in Texas requires going to court, except in a few situations. If yous get married or divorced in the state, y'all tin can change your name without filing a split name change petition. You can but change your name in your marriage license or in your divorce prescript.

In Texas, you can change your beginning, eye, or last name—or all of them—provided yous meet the requirements. You can even add a name to your full proper noun if the court allows it. If you change your name, no i else's name changes—each petition is for the applicant simply, so your children'southward names don't change.

Here's what you lot need to know to change your name in the Lone Star State.

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Requirements To Alter Your Name in Texas

To change your name in Texas, you must come across the following requirements and show proof that:

You're at least 18 years one-time
Yous're filing your petition in your county of residence
Yous're not filing with intent to defraud anyone or to avoid creditors
Your new name is not vulgar
Your name change is for a good reason, as granting the name change is at the discretion of the courtroom
You oasis't committed a felony
If you take committed a felony, you've either been pardoned or it'southward been two years since your release from prison house or completion of probation
Y'all're not a sex offender
If you are a sexual practice offender, you've notified your local government that you lot want to alter your name
You've provided proof of whatever felonies and Grade A and B misdemeanors to the court

Procedure To Change Your Proper name in Texas

Proper noun changes take anywhere from a few days to half dozen months, depending on how decorated your local district court is. How to do a name alter includes the post-obit steps:

1. Consummate the adult name change petition.How to make full out the petition is self-explanatory, simply make sure you get the adult petition because in that location are separate petitions to alter a child'due south name. Also, put a checkmark at the top in the box before the words "Commune Court." Don't sign the petition until you lot see a notary, who must witness your signature.

Pay the filing fee, unless you lot filled out a Statement of Inability to Beget Court Costs. The fee varies depending on where you live.Phone call your district courtroom clerk to observe out how much filing the petition costs in your canton.

ii. Complete the social club to change an adult's name.Fill out the club merely don't sign it. The court will sign it if they grant your name change petition. If you need aid with any of the papers, consult an attorney or an online legal service.

3. Have your fingerprints taken.You lot can find out how, when, and where at the Texas Department of Public Prophylactic, where y'all can schedule an appointment. There's a fee for getting a fingerprint card and a fee for getting an FBI background cheque, both of which are required by the courtroom. You'll need to submit a personal, cashier's, or certified check, or a money order with your fingerprint card and the petition.

4. Make copies of the court papers.This includes the petition, fingerprint card, the lodge, and Statement of Inability to Afford Court Costs, if applicative. Make three copies of your proper noun modify documents for your files.

5. File your papers with the court clerk.File the original papers for your name change in your county's district court and bring the copies with you, except for the order, which you'll need to bring to your court hearing. Ask the clerk to postage your copies as "filed." To see if you lot can e-file instead, call your district court clerk to detect out whether they permit due east-filing in name change cases. Don't forget to enquire the clerk about your courtroom appointment.

6. Attend the courtroom hearing.If yous don't know when your hearing is, phone call the clerk. Bring the order and copies, the petition, a copy of the fingerprint bill of fare, and proof of age and identity, criminal convictions, probation discharges, and whatsoever pardons to your hearing. If you aren't certain what to bring, ask the clerk to assist yous or obtain legal advice for your name change case. Expect the judge to enquire you questions about why you want to modify your name, and then it's a proficient idea to have answers fix. If the estimate agrees to let you change your proper name, the judge will sign your club.

seven. File the social club with the clerk.This is a crucial footstep; just because your hearing is over, your proper name isn't officially changed until you file the lodge. Go at least ii certified copies of the order from the clerk because y'all'll have to show them to different agencies.

8. Modify documents to reflect your new name.This includes getting a new Social Security card, driver's license, and motorcar registration. You as well demand to alter your name with voter registration, your banks, credit cards, mail subscriptions, your employer, and insurance companies. Update your retirement accounts, passport, businesses that send you bills, and any other entity that should accept your new name.

These steps take time, just they're important. Brand sure to change your driver'due south license within thirty days of your name alter. You tin't apply for a change to your birth document unless there'south a mistake with the document or in that location'due south a gender modify.

Other Ways To Change Your Name in Texas

If you get married in Texas, you lot can change your name on your spousal relationship certificate or license without having to go to court. You can become certified copies of your marriage license from the clerk in your local town or city.

Yous tin can also modify your name in a divorce proceeding without having to file a split name alter petition. Allow the judge know yous desire to use a new proper name and spell your new name so information technology becomes part of the divorce decree.

Each state has its own requirements for obtaining a name alter. Texas has more requirements than some states, but if you meet all of them and follow the procedure correctly, you should have a new name soon.